Legazpi water declared not potable

LEGAZPI CITY—Warning: drinking water from this faucet can be dangerous to your health.

This might as well be the warning sign that should be placed on every water faucet in this city, after the Legazpi city government, in a health bulletin released yesterday, warned the public against the hazards of drinking water supplied by the Legazpi City Water District (LCWD).

This after the city government announced, via a public statement, that the University of the Philippines Natural Sciences and Research Institute (UP-NSRI) found that water provided by LCWD to thousands of households in the city was not suitable for drinking.

Water tests made by the UP-NSRI revealed that water provided  by Phil Hydro, a company contracted by LCWD to supply water to the water district, did not conform with the Philippine National Standard for drinking water and was not potable.

The study showed that water that flows to household faucets contained high levels of magnesium, calcium carbonate and total dissolved solids (TDS) indicating that the LCWD water supply is not fit to drink.

High levels of magnesium in water enhances the forming of kidney stones, said Alain Mape of the provincial sanitary office.

Mayor Geraldine Rosal issued a health bulletin yesterday advising residents to refrain from drinking tap water.

She said residents who could not afford to buy drinking water from water refilling stations may opt to boil tap water for not less than 25 minutes.

The city council also passed a resolution declaring that water supplied by Phil Hydro Inc. is not potable.

Phil Hydro, a multimillion-peso water facility, faces possible closure after it was found violating the Sanitation Code of the Philippines.

Phil Hydro’s business permit was revoked by the city government last month on recommendation of the Department of Health (DOH).

Nestor Santiago, DOH regional director for Bicol, said the agency found that Phil Hydro committed at least three violations, including failure to secure from the DOH an initial permit to develop a drinking water supply system.

Phil Hydro entered into an agreement with LCWD in March 2007 to supply bulk water to Legazpi City for 25 years.

Consumers and nongovernment groups complained that water from LCWD faucets was murky and had a foul odor. LCWD officials refused to reply yesterday, saying they would hold a press conference today.