A new statutory duty — 1 March 2025
Your stormwater drainage is now your legal responsibility to maintain
The Sewerage and Drainage (Amendment) Act 2024 made property owners and developers responsible, by law, for keeping their own stormwater drains and flood-protection measures in proper order. If you manage an MCST, factory, warehouse or institution, this is worth reading even if nothing looks wrong today.
What actually changed
Passed in November 2024 and in force from 1 March 2025, the amendment requires owners of premises to alter, repair and keep in proper order the stormwater drainage systems and flood-protection measures within their own premises, with raised penalties for unauthorised modification, obstruction, or disrepair that compromises drainage capacity. Source: PUB press release and the Act itself on Singapore Statutes Online — worth reading directly if this affects a decision you're making, rather than relying on any single summary, including this one.
Why this is different from your sewer/drain obligations
Most F&B and commercial-kitchen compliance content focuses on grease traps and sewer connections — PUB's used-water rules. Stormwater is a separate system: rainwater run-off from roofs, car parks, loading bays and paved areas, carried away from the building before it reaches the public drain network. A blocked or poorly maintained stormwater drain, sump, or detention tank on your own premises can back up and flood your building — and now carries a specific legal maintenance duty on top of the practical risk.
What this typically covers
Stormwater drains
Surface drains and channels on the property — car parks, loading bays, external walkways, roof drainage outlets.
Sump pits
Below-grade collection points, common in basements and car parks, that need periodic desilting and pump checks to keep working.
Detention tanks
Larger stormwater attenuation tanks required on some developments — need inspection and desilting on a longer cycle, but neglect is expensive to reverse.
Who this affects most directly
In practice, three groups have the most exposure and the least existing guidance built for them:
- MCSTs — common property stormwater drains and car-park sumps are squarely MCST responsibility. See MCSTs & Facilities Managers.
- Factories & warehouses — larger paved areas, loading bays and often a detention tank on-site. See Factories & Industrial Drainage.
- Institutions — schools and larger campuses with significant hardscape and roof drainage areas.
A sensible starting point
Know what you have
Confirm whether your premises has stormwater drains, sumps, or a detention tank, and who last inspected them.
Get a condition check
A CCTV or visual inspection establishes a baseline — see CCTV Drain Inspection.
Clear what needs clearing
Desilting and jetting for drains and sumps that show build-up.
Put it on a cycle
A standing maintenance arrangement is usually more defensible — and cheaper over time — than reacting after an inspection or a flood.
Common questions
What did the Sewerage and Drainage (Amendment) Act 2024 change?
Among other changes, it made it a statutory requirement — in force from 1 March 2025 — for owners and developers to alter, repair and keep in proper order the stormwater drainage systems and flood-protection measures within their own premises, with raised penalties for damage, unauthorised modification, or disrepair.
Does this apply to my MCST or just to landed property?
It applies to owners and developers of premises generally, which includes MCSTs responsible for common property, and factory/warehouse/institutional premises with their own stormwater drains, sumps or detention facilities — not just individual landed homes.
What's the difference between a stormwater drain and the sewer?
The sewer carries used water (sinks, toilets, kitchen waste) to treatment. Stormwater drains carry rainwater run-off from roofs, car parks and paved areas away from the building. Both can be on a property owner's premises and both need separate maintenance attention.
This page explains the obligation in plain language; it isn't legal advice. If a specific decision hinges on the exact wording, read the Act directly or ask a qualified adviser.