Water samples taken from 12 public schools in Cebu City passed the free water quality test conducted by the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) during the opening of the school year.
The 12 schools are Abellana National High School, Cebu City Central Elementary School (ES), Tejero ES, Punta Princesa ES, Tisa ES, Labangon ES, Talamban ES, Lahug ES, Pardo ES, Don Vicente Rama ES, Guadalupe ES, and Banilad ES.
Charmaine Rodriguez-Kara, MCWD’s Community Relations and External Affairs Department manager, said that the tests were conducted to determine if the schools’ pipelines after the meter, containers, tanks and faucets are free from coliform bacteria.
MCWD brought the schools’ water samples to its Department of Health-accredited laboratory to check the presence of chlorine and determine the water’s turbidity.
These schools were chosen since they are among those with the biggest population of students. MCWD conducts free water testing in public schools every year in time for Brigada Eskwela.
“Taas baya ang period nga walay klase. So, para ma-ensure nga safe ilang water supply, mas maayo nga i-test gyud,” said Kara.
Kara added that the school principals can request for water testing to ensure that their other water sources, not just the one from MCWD but also from their private wells within the school’s premises, are safe and are free from any bacteria, especially coliform.
She also advised the school administrators to repair leaks as these could be a source of water supply contamination.
The maintenance and cleaning of cisterns and storage tanks should also be included in the school’s calendar of activities. (PR, CTU Intern Mariel Pabroa)