All water refilling stations in Iloilo City have been required to submit water samples every month for potability testing.
The mandatory submission was ordered by Mayor Jerry Treñas through Executive Order No. 054-2022.
The move is part of the city government’s effort to address the rising cases of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and cholera.
“Due to this rapid increase in AGE cases, there is a need to revisit and heighten the sanitary measures particularly with all the water refilling stations in the City,” the EO stated.
Water refilling stations will face closure if they fail to comply with the order.
Data from the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) showed that water samples from 18 water refilling stations in the city tested positive for coliform and E.coli.
The disease-causing bacteria were also found in water samples from 54 deep wells.
According to City Health Office (CHO) head Dr. Annabelle Tang, those water refilling stations that failed to pass the water quality analysis will be subjected to another testing.
If their water sources still tested positive for the harmful bacteria, they will be closed for six months.
Treñas also issued memorandum orders directing all punong barangays and district health officers to strictly implement the EO and to ensure that all sanitary inspectors go around their respective jurisdictions to ensure that all water refilling stations are compliant with the requirements.
AGE is a disease that occurs when food or water that is contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms (such as Clostridium perfringens, Vibrio cholera, E. coli,) or their toxins is consumed. Its symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
As of Aug. 31, the CESU has recorded 228 cases of AGE including eight cases of cholera.
Of the number, 115 have already recovered, 8 have died, 53 are admitted in hospitals and 52 are recovering at home.IMT
