2 June 2022 - Updates on Watten Drainage Upgrading

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Dear Watten Estate Residents

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We have been engaging residents over the last 6 months on PUB’s drainage upgrading plans for the Watten estate, to be carried out in tandem with the Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP).

2   Our engagement efforts include:

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a) Two letters dated 3 Nov 2021 and 10 Jan 2022 alerting residents to the impact on trees arising from the plan;

b) Two Townhalls held on 19 Nov 2021 and 01 Mar 2022 to hear views from residents; and
 

c) Asking PUB to suspend their tender for drainage works until residents have had a chance to comment.

3   Some of our residents continue to be concerned about the prospect of mature trees being felled and replaced as part of drainage upgrading. My team and I share this concern. Therefore, we have asked PUB to consider alternative methods of repairing the drains without complete rebuilding in order to keep most trees. PUB has reconsidered our request and priorities. PUB revisited the sites and subsequently agreed to allow most of the damaged drains to be repaired in a less intrusive manner. This means that it is possible for most of the drains to be repaired and kept open; and for more existing trees to be preserved. This is good news for our residents who wish to see as few trees affected by drainage upgrading as possible.

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4   At the same time, we would need to work closely with PUB to determine which streets would belong to the following categories:
 

a) Streets that would have their trees preserved and drains kept open after repair, with no expansion of pavement; or

b) Streets whose drains would be rebuilt and closed to create expanded pavements. Trees would be affected but replanting would take place after construction.

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5   Please bear with us as the process described in para 4 would take time. Should you have any queries/feedback regarding the street you live on, please email me at hbtsimann@gmail.com and Watten Neighbourhood Committee Chairman, Mr Allen Cheong at allencjm@yahoo.com.sg. Thank you.

 
Yours sincerely,

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10 January 2022 - Watten Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP) - Drainage Upgrading

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Dear Watten Estate Residents

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1   We held a Townhall session on Friday 19 Nov 2021 to share information with residents on the drainage upgrading works that will accompany the Watten Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP). We thank the residents who attended the Townhall for sharing their views and suggestions. This letter serves to inform all residents on the likely extent and impact of the drainage upgrading works, and also addresses the feedback that had surfaced during the Townhall.

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Relationship between EUP and drainage upgrading

2   Drainage upgrading will be undertaken by PUB for all estates undergoing EUP. It is usually welcomed by private estate residents, as most rebuilt drains can be covered, thereby creating new or wider footpaths. Typically, existing trees that are near drains being rebuilt would need to be removed; and new trees will be planted to replace them after the works are completed.

Status of drains in Watten Estate
 

3   PUB has studied the area and found that most drains within the estate need to be upgraded to cater to higher flow capacity and/ or their structural design lifespan have been reached and they need to be renewed. This means we can expect many trees within the neighbourhood to be felled and replaced. This would be the case even if we do not require new footpaths to be created from covered drains.

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4   On behalf of our residents, we have asked PUB if it was possible to leave some of such old drains untouched, in order to preserve more trees. PUB’s assessment is that this would be inadvisable, as continued deterioration of the old drains could lead to poor drainage flow, creating grounds for mosquito breeding or increase flood risks. Ground settlement triggered by drain deterioration could also result in damage to public and private properties. Please refer to Annex A for more details. NParks has also been consulted by PUB on this matter. NParks has no objection to the removal of trees to facilitate drain reconstruction and will coordinate with PUB to  plant trees to replace those that are felled.

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Key points to note
5   We therefore feel it is important to bring the following points to our residents’ attention:

a.  Many trees, including the larger and older ones, that are near old drains, will have to be removed in order to facilitate drain reconstruction;

b.  NParks is committed to replant more than the number of trees felled at permissible
planting spaces; and

c.  We will work closely with the agencies to create footpaths above reconstructed drains wherever feasible, but creating footpaths is not the reason for felling trees. As long as the drain has been earmarked for reconstruction by PUB, affected trees
will have to be removed even if residents feel that a footpath is not needed.

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6    While every effort will be made to minimise the impact of drainage upgrading works on trees, the preliminary assessment is that most trees along the roads marked out as Category 1 and 2 in Annex B will eventually be felled and replaced at the planting verges.

7   As the site situation varies from house to house, the PUB project team will update each homeowner according to the public engagement plan shared by PUB during the townhall. Please refer to Annex C for more details. If there is further clarification required on drainage works, please email Ms Siow Wen Ni at Siow_Wen_Ni@pub.gov.sg. For general feedback, please email Ms Sim Ann at hbtsimann@gmail.com and Ms Janice Choong at Janice_Choong@pa.gov.sg.

Yours sincerely,

Annex C