From the map, we can see where the Singapore river is .We can too see the five main rivers: Rochor River, Whampoa River, Kallang River, Pelton River qand the Geylang River. The five main rivers join with the Singapore River and flow to the sea via the Marina Channel.

Picture: Ministry of Environment Singapore.

The government felt that the dirty rivers and their environment were not keeping with the green image of Singapore.

The Ministry of the Environment drew up an Action Plan in 1977. The aim was to remove the filth and stench permanently from the rivers and canals. Clean water would flow in our rivers. Fish could then survive.

The rivers were so polluted the cleaning was a difficult task. The government had to plan carefully. Tha Plan involved participation by many government departments.

Firstly the goverment had to move people and industries from the unsewered areas. The HDB built many flats and factories and food centres for them in other areas.

The 26,000 families moved out of their congested village and squatter huts into HDB estates. 2800 traders with their small industries moved into the factories in the new industrail estates.

Picture: Ministry of Environment Singapore.

Next was the problem of resiting the lighters and the boat yards. The government built a new place for the lighters at Pasir Panjang. The Pasir Panjang Wharves, as it is now called, were completed in 1983. All the lighters from the Singapore River and Rochor River were then moved to Pasir Panjang where there were modern facilities for the loading and unloading of goods as well as for mooring.

Meanwhile, some of the boat yards along the Geylang River were resited at Jurong and Tuas.
Picture: Ministry of Environment Singapore.

The government then considered the problem of the pig and duck farms in Kampong San Teng and Ang Mo Kio which were polluting the Kallang River and Pelton Canal. The farmers in these areas were persuaded to look for other ways to make their livelihood. By March 1982, there were no pig or duck farms in these areas. The vegetable and fruit wholesalers were moved to Pasir Paniang Wholesale Market.

After the sources of pollution were removed, tonnes of refuse and debris had to be removed from all the rivers.

Picture: Ministry of Environment Singapore.

Ten years passed. In September 1987, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew launched the Clean Rivers Commemoration to celeb- rate the completion of a job well done. There was much to celebrate about. As you can see from these pictures, many changes have taken place. A great number of people from many govern- ment departments worked hard to give us these beauti- ful rivers. We must all make an effort to help keep these rivers as well as our drains clean. Only then will Singapore be a truly beautiful city.

Picture: Ministry of Environment Singapore.