THE Bacolod City Council has asked Baciwa-Primewater to immediately address the complaints of numerous residents regarding the dark, foul-smelling, and contaminated water coming out of their faucets.
The City Council also asked the firm to conduct an explanatory public report on the cause of the problem, the remedial measures undertaken, and their long-term solutions to this perennial issue.
Councilor Caesar Distrito, who authored the resolution approved on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, said there have been numerous complaints from residents in several areas of Bacolod City.
These areas include Barangays Taculing, Singcang-Airport, Sum-ag, Mansilingan, Banago, Cabug, Pahanocoy, Tangub, Alijis, and Bata.
Distrito said residents of the said barangays used to experience dark-colored, foul-smelling, and potentially contaminated water flowing from their faucets.
“The presence of such water raises serious public health concerns due to the heightened risk of waterborne illnesses and other sanitation-related diseases that could affect children, the elderly, and vulnerable populations,” Distrito said.
Distrito noted that the City Council remains steadfast in upholding the health and welfare of its constituents by ensuring access to safe, clean, and potable water as a fundamental human right and a public service obligation.
“Baciwa-PrimeWater, as the official water utility service provider in the City of Bacolod, holds the primary responsibility to provide uninterrupted, safe, and potable water in compliance with national water safety standards and regulatory guidelines,” Distrito said.
He said the absence of a comprehensive explanation from Baciwa-PrimeWater has led to growing anxiety among the public, thereby necessitating transparency and accountability on the part of the service provider.
After addressing the issue, he added that it is necessary for Baciwa-PrimeWater to issue a public report detailing the root cause of the water discoloration and contamination, the affected barangays and households, the immediate safety measures implemented, and the long-term solutions being planned to prevent a recurrence of the turbid water. (MAP)