Singapore legislation
Section 9
Section 9
Earth works, etc., adversely affecting drainage system
(1)
No person shall carry out any earth works or construction works which will adversely affect any drain or drainage system in the vicinity either directly or indirectly without seeking the prior permission of the Director who may impose such conditions as he thinks fit in granting the permission.
(2)
Where any person contravenes subsection (1), the Director may by notice in writing require that person or the owner or occupier of any premises in respect of which the earth works or construction works are carried out to carry out such drainage works as he may think necessary at their expense.
(3)
If the notice is not complied with, the Director may carry out the drainage works described in the notice and may, subject to subsection (4), recover the expenses reasonably incurred in so doing from the person on whom the notice was served.
(4)
In any proceedings to recover expenses under this section the court may inquire —
whether any requirement specified in a notice served under this section was reasonable; and
whether those expenses ought to be borne wholly or in part by some person other than the defendant in the proceedings,and the court may make such order concerning the expenses or their apportionment as appears to the court to be just:Provided that the court shall not order the expenses or any part thereof to be borne by any person other than the defendant in the proceedings unless the court is satisfied that that other person has had due notice of the proceedings and an opportunity of being heard.