Guv issues order on water quality tests

THGOING proactive against water borne diseases, Gov. Erico Aumentado recently issued an order to institute mandatory water quality and monitoring tests to all water sources here. Executive Order No. 5, series of 2006, signed May 5, 2006 directs local government units to regularly collect water samples from sources in their jurisdiction and submit them to the Provincial Health Office (PHO) for examination and analysis.

Water sources include the protected wells or developed springs, communal faucets or stand posts, waterworks systems or individual house connections and water refilling stations. It also incorporates emergency water supply sources for food processing, drug production and manufacturers sources whose end product is for public consumption. Also included are private pumping units, marine and inland waters, swimming pools and bathhouses and public beaches and other bathing places.

The order also details a strict sterile procedure in the collection, transportation, preservation and examination of the water samples. The procedures are to be issued by the PHO in line with the Department of Health Standards and other guidelines. Furthermore, the order directs local heads to create respective Local Drinking Water Quality.

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