The unthinkable happened on Mar 23 — a patron at Waterway Point in Punggol glimpsed a rat falling from the ceiling onto her seat and scurrying off to the kitchen. The incident happened around dinner time at The Coffee House, and sparked off complaints that led to a subsequent investigation by the National Environment Agency.
All this in a shiny new mall that opened just three months ago.
Inspections by the NEA revealed signs of rat activity in a food outlet and ceiling above a common area, according to The Straits Times. Thirty-three out of the 85 food stalls in the building were scrutinized at night, the time when rats are most active. Eight were found to have bad hygiene standards, but no rodents were discovered there.
Following the discovery, the NEA stated that enforcement action has been taken against the mall management and the food shops to make sure they take care of the infestation and improve on their sanitation levels.
It is believed that Waterway Point management has since upped their game and put in place pest control measures, including sealing any holes along the building’s perimeter and using rat poison if necessary. Food operators have been advised to execute proper food storage and waste management.
There have reportedly been no further rat sightings in the building.
