Baguio water businesses under strict monitoring

BAGUIO CITY: The city government said its Sanitation Division Office will continue to conduct random testing of water delivery businesses including delivery trucks to ensure the safety of drinking water sources in the Summer Capital.

The city government said those found positive for microorganisms were immediately shut down and allowed to operate only upon implementation of corrective measures and obtaining negative test results from succeeding tests.

On a positive note, water delivery companies in the famous mountain hideaway are now complying with stricter sanitary policies imposed by the city government under Mayor Benjamin Magalong in the wake of the diarrhea outbreak last January.

Sanitation Division Officer in Charge Roberto Bruce Colewan told the Management Committee meeting on February 20 that most of the legitimate companies which cover those that operate deep wells and delivery trucks have implemented corrective measures to enhance the sanitation standards in their workstations.

Last February 16, a deep well in Kias was ordered closed after failing the water sampling.

Colewan said that most of the water companies have required their employees to use personal protective equipment like hair nets, rubber gloves and boots and uniforms for proper identification and are now maintaining logbooks of their clients.

Compliance with the order not to service unregistered water companies was also noted.

Majority have also installed a chlorination system as a preventive measure against contamination, but city officials agreed that this will be regularly monitored by the Sanitation Division to ensure proper usage.

Colewan said they have listed more than 100 water delivery companies operating in the city with only 39 operating with business permits. Some of the colorum ones have started to legitimize their operations, he said.

He said 95 percent of the water delivery trucks have also been accounted for and those unlicensed will be required to obtain their licenses as soon as possible.

The City Permits and Licensing Division earlier issued notices of violation to unregistered companies and the city expects them to comply with the permit requirement soon.