Stricter licensing regime for plumbers kicks in from April

SINGAPORE — From October, consumers who hire unlicensed plumbers for tasks more complex than the installation of a sink or unblocking of floor traps could be fined up to S$10,000 and jailed up to 12 months.

Under changes to the Public Utilities Act passed in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 6), plumbers dealing with used-water pipes – called sanitary plumbers – will need to be licensed.

Currently, only water-service plumbers (who deal with potable water) are regulated.

Water and sanitary plumbing systems, particularly in large-scale buildings, are becoming more integrated and complex, said Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources Amy Khor during the debate. Concealed piping systems are becoming more common, for example.

National water agency PUB announced last April it would roll out the new licensing scheme, which will take effect on April 1 and have a six-month transition period.

So far, more than 96 per cent of the 863 plumbers here have qualified for the new scheme, such as by attending courses, said Dr Khor. The plumbers are either PUB-licensed water-service plumbers or those registered with the Singapore Plumbing Society.

Of this group, about 250 plumbers automatically qualified as they are licensed water-service plumbers who also hold the Singapore Plumbing Society’s registration certificate for sanitary plumbers.

Of the remainder, about 10 individuals will complete the Building and Construction Authority’s Builder Certificate course by the middle of this year.

Around 20 still have to undergo the PUB’s two- or three-day in-house conversion course, for which PUB facilitates oral assessment in languages such as Mandarin, said Dr Khor.

Members of Parliament such as Dr Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon), Mr Gan Thiam Poh (Ang Mo Kio) and Mr Louis Ng (Nee Soon) called on the authorities to help plumbers to continue in their trade. They asked if unlicensed ones, including foreigners, would be allowed to continue working here.

Dr Khor said unlicensed plumbers can continue carrying out non-critical simple works such as clearing chokes and installing sinks and showers.

They can also carry out plumbing works if they work directly under a licensed plumber, who will manage and sign off on the works.

Foreign plumbers are required to have a valid work pass and licence, she said. Unlicensed plumbers carrying out critical plumbing works without supervision by a licensed plumber could be fined up to S$10,000 and jailed up to three years.

Consumers can identify licensed plumbers through a PUB licence card, and a register will be posted on PUB’s website.

Systems are becoming more integrated and must be built properly to prevent cross-contamination between potable and non-potable water, said Dr Khor. There is increasing adoption of alternative water systems in commercial and industrial developments, like NEWater and rainwater harvesting, for instance.

One misstep in the long supply chain could result in a water crisis – in Flint, Michigan in the United States, for instance, lead from ageing pipes leached into the water supply.

Plumbers must have the skills to undertake complex works, and owners of premises must play their part to ensure continued access to “good, wholesome water”, she said.