This section lists the minimum requirements for the prevention and control of water pollution from the use of termiticide. Pest control operators must comply with these requirements and are no longer required to notify NEA's Pollution Control 1 Division on the schedules of soil treatment. Nevertheless, the pest control operator and the owner/contractor of the treatment sites shall ensure that the activities will not cause direct or in-direct contamination of pollution to water resources. Pest control operators must also apply for a Hazardous Substances Licence/Permit for the sales, purchase and/or use of termiticides containing controlled hazardous substances. You may refer to the following link for more information on the management of hazardous substances.
Site preparation
Location of ground water table
If termiticide is to be used at a site, tests must be carried out to determine the location of the ground water table. Soil treatment must not be carried out if the ground water table is less than 0.5m below soil level.
A pit of at least 0.5m depth must be dug near the site where soil treatment is to be carried out to determine whether the ground water level is less or more than 0.5m from ground level. The ground water level measured from the ground level where soil treatment is to be carried out is the natural ground water level, and not the artificially-lowered level induced by dewatering.
Provision of temporary drainage
Temporary drainage of adequate capacity must be provided around the whole area to be treated, with an outlet at the lowest point. A sample sump must be provided at the outlet drain for the monitoring of termiticide in the run-off.
Provision of impervious polyethylene sheet
An impervious polyethylene sheet or its equivalent, large enough to cover the whole area to be treated, shall be kept onsite for standby use.
Chemical preparation
Termiticide must be prepared in accordance with the approved dosage.
Preparation of termiticide for application must be carried out such that it is not spilled or discharged into open drains or public sewers.
Any wastewater contaminated with termiticide must not be discharged into a septic tank, an open drain, or a sewer. Such wastewater may be reused or disposed of properly by licensed toxic industrial waste collectors.
Application procedure
Pest control operators must ensure that the soil is not excessively wet (e.g. during or after rain) before carrying out the soil treatment. Soil treatment must be carried out under good visibility conditions.
Special care must be taken not to spray termiticide beyond the area to be treated.
Soil treatment and concreting is to be carried out on the same day.
Pest control operators must not carry out soil treatment if it is likely to rain before the soil treatment is completed. If it rains during soil treatment, measures must be taken to prevent the termiticide from being washed out by the rain.
Precautionary measures
Every precaution must be taken to prevent accidental spillage of termiticide. Spills must be mopped up with soil or other absorbent materials. The affected soil should be added to the treatment area, or kept in plastic bags for disposal by licensed toxic industrial waste collectors. All safety and environmental requirements in the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) must be complied with. Pest control operators must brief all workers on these requirements, and ensure they comply with the requirements in the MSDS.