What is the difference between a private and public sewer?

Private sewers convey used water from houses and apartments to the public sewers.
Private owners and Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) are responsible for
maintaining these private sewers.

Private land owner / MCST

Property
Boundary

Inspection
Chamber
Manhole

Private Sewers
- Belong to owners / MCST
- Maintained by owners / MCST
- Include the connection to the - Owned by Govt
public sewers - Maintained by PUB

Private sewers can extend beyond the property boundary.

Some examples of Inspection Chambers Manhole

TAKING CARE OF
For the inspection of your private sewer For Public Sewer, “SEW” is embossed
on the cover YOUR
PRIVATE SEWERS

* To facilitate the inspection of the private and public sewers, please ensure that the access to the manholes
and inspection chambers is free from obstruction.
 Taking care of your private Proper care of your sewer will
sewer can help to eliminate ensure that your private
these common problems sewer is flowing well and Who can you
does not get choked consult for help?

You may consult your plumber / contractor

Offensive odor to carry out the maintenance of your
when the sewer is
private sewers. This would include
blocked
general inspection of your
Good Practices private sewerage system and to
repair any damaged sewer.

Overflow from
inspection chamber Throw greasy waste
and leftover food Some service providers
into containers NTUC Home Services
Website: www.income.com.sg

Singapore Plumbing Society

Slow draining Plumbing Services
of water Website: www.plumbing.org.sg

Throw used sanitary

pads into a bin; do
not flush them down
For more information regarding
the toilet bowl private and public sewers,
please contact us at:
Overflow
PUB - ONE
from floor traps
Tel: 1800 284 6600 (24 hours)
www.pub.gov.sg

Leakage from
private sewer Always keep floor
causing pollution traps closed at all times
to the
surrounding area