Bandar Seri Begawan - A malicious short messaging service (SMS) circulating among the public about the danger of drinking water from the tap was quashed yesterday by the Public Works Department (PWD), which has reassured the public that Brunei's water is safe to drink.

The department in a statement said it has found that false information was being spread via SMS that advised people to be cautious and not to drink from the tap because it was dangerous. The SMS also said that children have fallen sick with vomiting and diarrhoea and the hospital ward was full with such cases.

According to the Public Works Department, the information spread through SMS is false and confusing the public. It is baseless information and the hospital wards are not filled with children sick from drinking tap water. The department has advised the public not to spread such SMS because it is not true. Water from the tap is safe to use.

The public can contact the Customer Care Centre Hotline of the Ministry of Development at 140 for further queries.