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Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Deep wells show fecal matter
Seven deep wells in the cities of Cebu and Talisay are contaminated with high fecal and coliform content, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 7 told health officials.
Director Alan Aranguez, in a separate letter, asked the health officials of both cities to act immediately on the problem because the “physical and biological” quality of the water in these wells may prove to be a health hazard.
The samples examined came from a private deep well in Barangay Inayawan and two communal deep wells on Lapu-Lapu St. in Barangay Sto. Nino and in front of the old Mabolo Police Station. Five deep wells were examined in Barangay Biasong, Talisay City, but only four were contaminated.
Standard
The national standard for coliform count in drinking water is 2.2 parts per liter, but in each deep well, the fecal and coliform count reached at least 16.
No data was available, though, on how many residents have been using each deep well or if there have been illnesses reported prior to the water sampling.
Pollution Control Division Chief Marcelino Tabuco said the sampling of public deep wells has been going on for more than a year, since the EMB 7 launched its “Tap Watch” project.
Samples from the three deep wells in Cebu City were drawn last Aug. 14, while those in Talisay were taken last Aug. 8, following the request of the health officer, Dr. Lino Alazando.
Tabuco said the contamination can be from nearby canals, septic tanks or industrial waste.
The EMB’s job is to monitor and it is up to the local officials to introduce a solution, such as treating the water or condemning the wells.
Since EMB 7 launched the project, they focused their survey and monitoring in urban areas, because of many manufacturing firms that are potential sources of contaminants.
For his part, Cebu City Councilor Christopher Alix said deep wells are regularly checked by the Cebu City Health Department (CCHD).
The office keeps a list of private and public deep wells and has personnel that regularly collect water samples for examination.
“Each month, the CCHD inspects wells and does numerous tests until the result is negative,” he said. Alix heads the City Council committee on health, hospital services and sanitation.
Sun.Star Cebu tried contacting Dr. Fe Cabugao, CCHD chief, but she was not available for comment.
Alix said that most deep wells are without covers, and are easily contaminated by rats, birds or even cockroaches. (GC/RHM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (September 19, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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