Section 15

to provide, construct and maintain such catchment areas, reservoirs and other works as may be required or necessary for the collection, production, supply and use of water, gas and electricity for public and private purposes;

to manage and work the water, gas and electrical installations transferred to the Board by this Act and such other installations as may be acquired by the Board under the provisions of this Act;

to secure and provide an adequate supply of water, gas and electricity at reasonable prices;

to make regulations, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, relating to the supply of water, gas and electricity by the Board and all matters incidental thereto; and

to advise the Government on all matters relating to the supply of water, gas and electricity.

cause to be laid such mains, pipes, aqueducts, conduits and electric lines as it considers necessary for purposes of supplying water, gas and electricity and, if necessary, may carry such mains, pipes, aqueducts, conduits and lines on, through, over, across or under any street or any place laid out or intended for a street or cellar or vault which is under any street, and, after reasonable notice in writing in that behalf, on, through, over, across or under any enclosed or other land whatsoever, doing as little damage as may be and making full compensation for any damage done;

construct in any street or place such works as are necessary for purposes connected with the supply of water, gas or electricity and may place therein meters, switches, cocks and any other suitable and proper apparatus for the purpose of leading off service lines or pipes and other distributing conductors or of examining, testing, measuring, directing or controlling the supply of water, gas or electricity or of testing the conditions of the mains and other portions of the works: Provided that —

all such works, including the upper surface or covering thereof, shall be constructed of such materials and shall be maintained by the Board in such manner as not to be a source of danger, whether by reason of inequality of surface or otherwise; and

when the Board lays any electric line, crossing or liable to touch any mains, pipes, lines or other services, the conducting portion of the electric line shall be effectually insulated;

acquire, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, any property, movable or immovable, which the Board considers necessary or expedient for the purpose of constructing, extending or maintaining any installation or otherwise carrying out its duties and functions under this Act;

enter into all such contracts for the supply of goods or materials or for the execution of works or any other contracts as may be necessary for the discharge of its duties and functions under this Act;

enter into contracts with any person or persons upon such terms as it thinks fit for the supply of water, gas and electricity for public and private purposes;

enter into contracts to provide bulk supplies of water, gas and electricity to any person or persons outside Singapore on such terms as it thinks fit, subject to the approval of the Government;

purchase, sell and let for hire to any person or persons and on such terms as it thinks fit, electric motors and gas or electrical lighting, cooking, heating, cooling, refrigerating, and air-conditioning apparatus and appliances and any other water, gas or electrical apparatus and appliances which can be utilised by consumers of water, gas or electricity together with the pipes, lines, accessories, fittings and appurtenances thereof and install, connect, repair, maintain and remove them;

appoint consultants, agents or representatives either generally or in any particular case to execute on behalf of the Board any agreement or other instrument not under seal in relation to matters coming within the powers of the Board;

make provision for the specialised training of any officer or employee of the Board, and in such connection may offer scholarships to intending trainees or otherwise pay for the cost of such training and all expenditure incidental thereto;

by resolution thereof, and by mutual agreement act as agent for the Government or any department thereof or any statutory body in the collection of fees for services performed or rendered by the Government or any department thereof or any statutory body;

grant or guarantee loans to any employee of the Board for the purchase of a house, land or a flat for the use or occupation of the employee or for the use or occupation of his family;

grant loans to employees of the Board for any purposes specifically approved by the Board as are likely to increase the efficiency of the employees; and

carry on all such other activities as may appear to the Board requisite, advantageous or convenient for it to carry on for or in connection with the performance of its duties under this Act or with a view to making the best use of any of its assets.