DOH warns vs discolored tap water

MANILA, Philippines — Due to the reduced water supply in Metro Manila, the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday urged residents to exercise caution in consuming water from the tap. 

“A natural consequence of these service interruptions and of the constant shifting of water supply in the network is the scouring of mineral deposits in the internal lining of the pipelines,” DOH Metro Manila Center for Health Development director Corazon Flores said in a statement.

Because of this, some “discoloration” in the water supply takes place, she said.

“For the safety of water-consuming public, our advice is not to drink the discolored water,” Flores said.

The statement was issued after residents in some parts of Metro Manila complained that foul-smelling and heavily discolored water was coming from their faucets amid service interruptions due to a limited supply coming from Angat Dam. 

Flores said if slight water discoloration is observed, customers should allow water to flow from their taps for at least 30 seconds. The discolored water can be used for cleaning, flushing toilets and watering plants, she added.

 “If the water does not clear out after a few minutes, customers are advised to call the concessionnaires so that water tankers can be deployed to deliver potable water, and more flushing points can be opened to clear out the network of discolored water,” she said.