Arsenic contamination in Laguna water contained, says water district

SAFE WATER. Calamba Water District (CWD) general manager Exequiel Aguilar Jr. (center) with Laguna Water District (LWD) general manager Jesus Miguel Bunyi at the ‘Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas’ forum held at the CWD function room in Calamba City on Tuesday (Nov. 26, 2024). The two officials reported on the state of water in their respective areas of responsibility. (Photo by Zen Trinidad)

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna — The Laguna Water District (LWD), formerly known as the Los Baños Water District (LBWD), announced on Tuesday that it has contained the arsenic contamination in its water supply with the completion of the P10-million Umali Coagulation Treatment Station in Barangay Batong Malake last month.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum held at the Calamba Water District (CWD) function room in this city, LWD general manager Jesus Miguel Bunyi highlighted the progress achieved since entering a joint venture agreement (JVA) with Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV) on April 19.

Under the partnership, MWPV oversees operations, while LWD focuses on monitoring and ensuring compliance with the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) 2017.

“We are establishing pump stations in various areas and integrating treatment facilities, like the Umali Coagulation Treatment Station, into these systems,” Bunyi explained. “We’ve allocated P110 million for critical projects aimed at increasing water pressure to above 10 psi (pounds per square inch) across various connections.”

LWD targets the following milestones: 100-percent service area coverage with 24/7 water supply by 2025; compliance with an average daily minimum water pressure of 10 psi across all service areas by 2027; and full adherence to PNSDW 2017 standards by 2028.

LWD serves also the towns of Bay, Nagcarlan, and Victoria, thus the change of name from Los Baños Water District to Laguna Water District.

Meanwhile, CWD general manager Exequiel Aguilar Jr. emphasized advancements in chlorine treatment using the Ultra Violet (UV)-Hydro Optic Disinfection System. This innovation has significantly reduced chlorine levels in the water to between 1.2 and 3.1 parts per million (ppm), a range considered safe for consumption.

“With this system, consumers can notice the absence of a strong chemical smell when drinking water directly from the faucet,” Aguilar explained. “However, we continue to monitor residual chlorine in the pipelines to prevent potential clogging.”

Aguilar further noted that 65 percent of the water distributed to 47 of Calamba City’s 54 barangays comes from the Bucal Pumping Station, which already utilizes the UV system.

In compliance with the Clean Water Act of 2004, CWD has also established a Septage Treatment Facility to prevent water contamination. This service is offered every five years as part of the district’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

Both the Ultra Violet-Hydro Optic Disinfection System and the Septage Treatment Facility were funded by CWD at the costs of P100 million and P108 million, respectively.

Aguilar underscored the district’s self-sufficiency as a Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation (GOCC), highlighting its ability to generate and sustain its operational resources independently. (PNA)

READ: Poisoned waters: Laguna de Bay’s steady crawl to brink of disaster