Singapore Expats

Hi everyone

Hoping someone can help me.

SP services are saying that they are fitting a water thistle in all condos in city square residences. From my understanding the water thistle is a device that limits the amount of water coming through a tap saving on water usage, but it can also effect water pressure.

SP services are saying it is not compulsory but my landlord says its her choice and she would like it, I already think the water pressure is low and based on this didn't want it installed but landlord says its up to her and she is going to have it installed.

Do I have to comply?

AJ

IT may be consumer removable if it is the device I'm thinking of.

AjitS wrote:Hi everyone

Hoping someone can help me.

SP services are saying that they are fitting a water thistle in all condos in city square residences. From my understanding the water thistle is a device that limits the amount of water coming through a tap saving on water usage, but it can also effect water pressure.

SP services are saying it is not compulsory but my landlord says its her choice and she would like it, I already think the water pressure is low and based on this didn't want it installed but landlord says its up to her and she is going to have it installed.

Do I have to comply?

AJ

Yes, you have to comply but at the same time your LL is responsible to deliver some standard services including running water at the acceptable pressure. If, after installing the device the pressure drops under acceptable level (measured i.e. by typical pressure for these kind of units or some SP standards - talk to them) you can requests from your LL to fix the problem or if it remains substandard lower your rent. Make her aware of this and see what happens.

AjitS wrote:Hi everyone

Hoping someone can help me.

SP services are saying that they are fitting a water thistle in all condos in city square residences. From my understanding the water thistle is a device that limits the amount of water coming through a tap saving on water usage, but it can also effect water pressure.

SP services are saying it is not compulsory but my landlord says its her choice and she would like it, I already think the water pressure is low and based on this didn't want it installed but landlord says its up to her and she is going to have it installed.

Do I have to comply?

AJ

For the duration of the tenancy it is your home and not hers. Your water usage during your tenancy is nothing to do with her. That means that you are free to remove it: just remember to replace it when you leave.

p.s. further details of precisely what this 'thistle' is would be helpful. A fixture on the end of the kitchen tap? Screw in. screw on, a rubber hose fitting ...?

It's not a thistle at all. It called a water thimble. it's just a flat nylon disc with 4 holes in it which reduces the flow of the water. It's been sent out periodically over the last 5 or 6 years in the bills to have the users unscrew the flexible water supply hose that goes to the tap and insert the thimble to reduce water flow.

http://www.pub.gov.sg/general/Documents/2003Q1.pdf page 6

JR8 wrote:For the duration of the tenancy it is your home and not hers. Your water usage during your tenancy is nothing to do with her. That means that you are free to remove it: just remember to replace it when you leave.

+1 : as long as it is you paying the water bill, what is her problem ?

Well, I had a landlord who tried that, and when I told him I am thinking of cancelling the lease, since I don't see the logic of using the water savers in the washing machine (duh- the machine still has to fill before it starts washing .. right ? ) it would be money better spent if he gave a new washing machine with more ticks .. than to screw up my shower .. he was blank and then decided that it is wise to leave me alone ..

ecureilx wrote:

JR8 wrote:For the duration of the tenancy it is your home and not hers. Your water usage during your tenancy is nothing to do with her. That means that you are free to remove it: just remember to replace it when you leave.

+1 : as long as it is you paying the water bill, what is her problem ?

Well, I had a landlord who tried that, and when I told him I am thinking of cancelling the lease, since I don't see the logic of using the water savers in the washing machine (duh- the machine still has to fill before it starts washing .. right ? ) it would be money better spent if he gave a new washing machine with more ticks .. than to screw up my shower .. he was blank and then decided that it is wise to leave me alone ..

Water consumption is billed to the tenant. Provided you don't mind paying you can fill up the house with water every night. She is a virgin LL by the sounds of it. Probably thinks she has to jump to every government letter sent out to her.

Reminds me of those 'water hippos' you are meant to put in your toilet cistern so it uses less water.

You end up having to flush twice.

Very clever eh

Oh, you mean a brick, izzit?

Just use the old saying, "if it's yellow, let it mellow, it it's brown flush it down!"

offshoreoildude wrote:

ecureilx wrote:

JR8 wrote:For the duration of the tenancy it is your home and not hers. Your water usage during your tenancy is nothing to do with her. That means that you are free to remove it: just remember to replace it when you leave.

+1 : as long as it is you paying the water bill, what is her problem ?

Well, I had a landlord who tried that, and when I told him I am thinking of cancelling the lease, since I don't see the logic of using the water savers in the washing machine (duh- the machine still has to fill before it starts washing .. right ? ) it would be money better spent if he gave a new washing machine with more ticks .. than to screw up my shower .. he was blank and then decided that it is wise to leave me alone ..

Water consumption is billed to the tenant. Provided you don't mind paying you can fill up the house with water every night. She is a virgin LL by the sounds of it. Probably thinks she has to jump to every government letter sent out to her.

Oh sure, limit water pressure. All it'll do is waste time. We have a faucet here in the pantry at work...pressure too low (I tried looking for the valve but it was already open all the way). So, people end up queuing for more than they're willing just to wash a freakin' mug. And some people wash two 1L water bottles!

JR8 wrote:

AjitS wrote:Hi everyone

Hoping someone can help me.

SP services are saying that they are fitting a water thistle in all condos in city square residences. From my understanding the water thistle is a device that limits the amount of water coming through a tap saving on water usage, but it can also effect water pressure.

SP services are saying it is not compulsory but my landlord says its her choice and she would like it, I already think the water pressure is low and based on this didn't want it installed but landlord says its up to her and she is going to have it installed.

Do I have to comply?

AJ

For the duration of the tenancy it is your home and not hers. Your water usage during your tenancy is nothing to do with her. That means that you are free to remove it: just remember to replace it when you leave.

As at this point you were not really sure what is the thing to be installed and knowing you are a LL elsewhere I admire your courage and openness towards the tenants. Does this stop with exchanging the water pipes in the walls or you have also no reservation even in such cases?

x9200 wrote:

JR8 wrote:

AjitS wrote:Hi everyone

Hoping someone can help me.

SP services are saying that they are fitting a water thistle in all condos in city square residences. From my understanding the water thistle is a device that limits the amount of water coming through a tap saving on water usage, but it can also effect water pressure.

SP services are saying it is not compulsory but my landlord says its her choice and she would like it, I already think the water pressure is low and based on this didn't want it installed but landlord says its up to her and she is going to have it installed.

Do I have to comply?

AJ

For the duration of the tenancy it is your home and not hers. Your water usage during your tenancy is nothing to do with her. That means that you are free to remove it: just remember to replace it when you leave.

As at this point you were not really sure what is the thing to be installed and knowing you are a LL elsewhere I admire your courage and openness towards the tenants. Does this stop with exchanging the water pipes in the walls or you have also no reservation even in such cases?

You are being a bit ridiculous. Water savers are simple washers that restrict the flow. Installed in 2 minutes, removed in about the same.

It's becoming a pain in the butt to find faucet nozzles that don't have the restrictor built in, especially for the kitchen sink.

Strong Eagle wrote:

x9200 wrote:

JR8 wrote: For the duration of the tenancy it is your home and not hers. Your water usage during your tenancy is nothing to do with her. That means that you are free to remove it: just remember to replace it when you leave.

As at this point you were not really sure what is the thing to be installed and knowing you are a LL elsewhere I admire your courage and openness towards the tenants. Does this stop with exchanging the water pipes in the walls or you have also no reservation even in such cases?

You are being a bit ridiculous. Water savers are simple washers that restrict the flow. Installed in 2 minutes, removed in about the same.

It's becoming a pain in the butt to find faucet nozzles that don't have the restrictor built in, especially for the kitchen sink.

I guess you missed that part I made in bold face this time.

Guys settle down! The biggest restriction is the line size in your apt. and water meter - the main piping in the riser just outside my door (which is 1") goes straight into a tiny 1/2" meter and pipework. There is a faucet on the main riser - if you open it - it's like niagra - not like my shower!

My question is; can I buy a water pump like the Indians use that 'suck' water out of the main supply to increase the water pressure in the house or shower? (and where would it go!).

offshoreoildude wrote:Guys settle down! The biggest restriction is the line size in your apt. and water meter - the main piping in the riser just outside my door (which is 1") goes straight into a tiny 1/2" meter and pipework. There is a faucet on the main riser - if you open it - it's like niagra - not like my shower!

My question is; can I buy a water pump like the Indians use that 'suck' water out of the main supply to increase the water pressure in the house or shower? (and where would it go!).

If Singapore is like most plumbing codes, it would be illegal to directly apply suction to an incoming main. You would need a break... like water pouring into a tub that can then be pumped to your heart's content.

You might investigate a bit closer around your water meter. I believe it is also a requirement that every unit in an apartment building or HDB must have a backflow preventer so that in case pressure were to go negative, water could not be sucked out of your flat.

These things fail from time to time, so that they don't open all the way when you turn on the water. I had this problem with my apartment in KL... finally went to a trickle before being replaced.