Bohol water contamination test now on the pipelines

SUMMER time brings joy and excitement to some people, but the spell also may be a root for torment as water borne diseases haunt those unsuspecting.

With the recent rise in water-borne diseases brought about by possible contamination of water sources, Provincial Government has set on the pipelines an executive order allowing a provincial team to perform contamination tests on practically all identified water sources. When pushed through, Provincial Health Office (PHO) authorities would be allowed to take tests on all sources in efforts to possibly contain the problem on waterborne diseases. While it is yet to be signed by Governor Erico Aumentado, town health inspectors and health workers see this as a positive and proactive move to identify and possibly blacklist un-secured water sources where diseases bursts forth. Speaking at the weekly Kapihan sa PIA, PH Officer Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot said the move is also allowing the provincial government to do a real inventory of sources used by operating water utilities systems.

The forum last Thursday gathered top health authorities in the province to discuss on the noted incidence of summer or water related illnesses and in turn generously doled out advice for the people to evade such problems. While Dr. Cabagnot was not available for comment on what the government may do when a municipal water system source is found contaminated, many believe the Capitol authorities may have to force systems to temporarily stop tap water services than allow un-sterile operations.

Information reaching government sources have earlier detailed how local governments still operate sources that have been found to be having high levels of contamination. In theory, local government units may be held liable for giving water services that tend to cause diseases. Most Bohol towns operate water systems inherited from the 1960's. With old pipes, majority of them need water pipelines' revamp and rehabilitation to stop leakages that could also be the source of contamination, water providers said. If however selling water services to unsuspecting consumers can cause problems with contamination, Capitol may opt to give an ultimatum to operators, a health inspector said.

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