Study: Metro Cebu water contaminated with E-coli

Metro Cebu is not only running out of supply of water, it is also facing a more serious problem - water contamination.

Rebecca Husayan of the Metro Cebu Water District water quality control division yesterday said that one of the most alarming problems confronting them is the mutating of coliform and contamination of their water system with E-coli.

According to her, water samples they have taken from congested areas of Metro Cebu tested positive for coliform, which poses danger to health. On the other hand, water from all areas here are also carriers of E-coli bacteria.

"Coliform is mutating in our water system. It cannot be killed. E-coli is also found in our water, which is very alarming," Husayan added. "MCWD is fighting a losing battle."

However, Husayan said that the results of the tests in their water samples are not yet validated, as they need further study that would entail a long period of time. With the presence of these bacteria in the water system, she added that they continue to monitor the sampling areas.

Husayan was among the reactors invited to the round table discussion on "Clean Water Makes You Dirty," a research on water supply and sanitation behavior in Metro Cebu conducted by Daniel Bennett, a candidate for economics at Brown University, USA.

MCWD also increases the chlorine in the water contaminated with these bacteria and recommends to consumers to have their drinking water boiled.

Husayan said that the need to inform the public about the contamination of Metro Cebu's water supply is very urgent.

Meanwhile, in his presentation, Bennett said that poor sanitation and dirty water cause sickness in Metro Cebu like diarrhea and cholera, which mostly afflict children.

He said that contamination of water is caused by the lack in proper toilet facilities and the improper dumping of trash by residents. He also cited lack of education and misalignment of incentives as reasons for the residents' behavior and lack of concern for clean water. - Wenna A. Berondo