Why is there no water in my flat?

Why there is no water in an HDB flat

The cause decides who can fix it. HDB's guide to pipes lists no water supply, low water pressure and slow flow together, with causes such as choked pipes, the reticulation system's booster pump not working, and air locked in the pipes. The same page notes that shutting the stopcock at the PUB water sub-meter cuts the water supply, so a stopcock left closed can also leave you dry.

Where the fault sits matters. HDB says regular upkeep of your flat is your role as a homeowner. It adds that Town Councils manage and maintain the common property of HDB residential flats, which includes corridors, lifts and the water tank. Knowing which side the problem is on tells you whether to start with your own pipes or report it.

Check these first

When there is no water at home, work through these checks before you call anyone. They show whether the problem is in your flat, in the block or with your account.

1. Ask a neighbour. Check whether the flat next door has water, and look in the lift lobby for a notice about water works. If your neighbours are dry too, skip ahead to the section on block-wide outages.
2. Check the stopcock. Find the PUB water sub-meter for your flat and make sure the stopcock is open. HDB says shutting it cuts the water supply, so one left closed after a repair will leave every tap dry.
3. Release an air lock. Open one tap and let it run for a while. HDB suggests this to let air locked in the pipes out.
4. Try other taps. Test the kitchen, the bathrooms and the water heater. If only one fitting is dry, the fault is likely on that fitting or its branch pipe, not the supply to the whole flat.
5. Watch the flow. If water comes back but runs weakly or slowly, see our guide to low water pressure for the next checks.

If the taps stay dry while your neighbours have water and the stopcock is open, the cause is probably in your own pipes. The last section explains when that becomes a plumbing job.

Block-wide outages and burst pipes

If a notice in the block mentions water works, check the times it gives. If there is no notice and your neighbours are dry too, the cause is outside your flat. For a water supply disruption in an HDB block, who you contact depends on the cause.

HDB says to inform the Town Council if low water pressure is because of a malfunction in the booster pump. If you are unsure who handles a problem, HDB suggests contacting your nearest HDB Branch for help.

For major pipe bursts and water interruptions, call PUB's 24-hour Call Centre on 1800-2255-782 (1800-CALL-PUB). PUB says the line takes urgent feedback on both. For non-urgent water supply issues, PUB has an online feedback form.

If a pipe bursts inside your flat, shut the stopcock at the sub-meter to cut the supply, then follow our burst pipe guide.

New homes: is the account open?

In a home you have just moved into, dry taps can simply mean the supply has not been turned on yet. SP Group asks you to open a utilities account and schedule the supply turn-on online, and to allow 7 business days lead time after opening the account. SP also says you need an SP utilities account even if you buy electricity from a retailer.

How the turn-on works depends on the home. SP says HDB BTO flats need no appointment to turn on electricity and water. Resale HDB flats and other homes get an on-site safety inspection to turn on supply, and the account holder or a representative must be present. That is not needed when you transfer an account with no interruption in supply.

Before moving day, go through our new home move-in checklist.

When it is a plumbing job

If your neighbours have water, the stopcock is open and running a tap has not cleared an air lock, the fault is likely in your own flat. These signs point to a licensed plumber:

• One tap or the heater is dry. Other taps run normally, so the problem sits in that fitting or its branch pipe.
• A pipe in the flat is leaking. HDB says leaking pipe joints come from use and deterioration over time or impact, and to engage a licensed plumber for repairs where necessary. Shut the stopcock first to cut the supply.
• The water comes back brown. See our guide to brown or discoloured tap water before you book anyone.

What a repair costs depends on the job. See plumbing costs and compare plumbers before you book.

Questions