The Public Utilities Board (PUB) was constituted on 1 May 1963 under the Public Utilities Ordinance to undertake the national functions of supplying electricity, water and piped gas to housing and industrial developments. The PUB was initially placed under the Prime Minister's Office. In November 1964 it was transferred to the portfolio of the Minister of Law and National Development. In 1981, it was assigned to the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The Municipal Commission had been responsible for the control and development of water supply, gas works and street lighting and the distribution of electricity in the mid 1800s to the early 1900s. In 1957, when Singapore was declared a city state, the City Council took over the provision of public utilities. Consequently when the City Council was integrated into government ministries, the PUB took over all the functions, services, assets and liabilities of the former City Council in respect of wtaer, gas, electricity and related matters. The PUB was constituted on 1May 1963 under the Public Utilities Ordinance. It was initially placed under the Prime Minister's Office. In November 1964 it was transferred to the portfolio of the Minister of Law and National Development, but was returned to the Prime Minister's Office on 1 Jan 1971. Finally in 1981 it was assigned to the MTI.
Today, the PUB is the national Water Authority and Regulator of the electricity and piped gas industries in Singapore. It is responsible for the development of the country's water resources and operation and maintenance of the water supply system. It supplies water to the whole population of Singapore. As the Regulator, it is responsible for licensing and regulating the privatised electricity and piped gas industries in Singapore. It also undertakes the inspectorate functions to ensure the safe use of electricity and piped gas.
