Tuesday, October 02, 2007 Stickers to regulate sale of refilled water in Baguio By Rimaliza Opiña
STICKERS meant to regulate the sale of refilled water is now underway following the Baguio City Council's approval of an ordinance mandating water-refilling stations to pass all sanitation standards before operating or before they are allowed to continue operating.
Baguio Association of Purified and Mineral Water Refillers (BAPMWR) president Nellie Oliarez said this in keeping with sanitation standards, which have been violated by some of those engaged in the business.
The BAPMWR initiated the conduct of an independent monitoring of water-refilling stations last year, after reports came out that some do not comply with sanitation standards, that some resorted to misleading sales pitch by claiming that water sold has healing properties and by selling water that is priced too low to cover operating expenses.
Olairez said the ordinance's approval institutionalized compliance of water to undergo bacteriological and chemical tests before it is sold and consumed by the public.
The BAPMWR is part of the water monitoring council. The group is required to regularly submit to the City Council a status report of establishments inspected.
There is no clear record as to when water-refilling businesses started to expand in Baguio.
And although the Baguio Water District (BWD) came up with several pronouncements that tap water is safe to drink, BWD general manager Teresita de Guzman said this is more psychological on the part of the consumer.
She said to them, buying purified water is more practical than boiling.
If contamination of water takes place, de Guzman said this usually occurs in distribution pipes, normally triggered by pilferage, but never in BWD's tanks.
If there are reports of contamination, de Guzman said the BWD would act on it promptly.
