Baguio Water District assures safe tap water amid gastro outbreak

BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio District (BWD), the lone water concessioner of the country's summer capital, has given its assurance for the safety and potability of its tap water supply.

"I would like to assure the public, as far as we are concerned, the water that comes directly from us and is not stored is safe and you can drink it without fear," BWD general manager Salvador Royeca said in a press conference on Wednesday.

He made the statement to allay the fears of residents and tourists ahead of the city's monthlong annual Baguio Flower Festival or "Panagbenga", which is set on Feb. 3.

Royeca said they consistently adhere to the national standards set by regulatory bodies like the National Water Resource Board, the Local Water Utilities Administration, and the Department of Health in terms of water quality and the reportorial requirements.

"We have our laboratory, we test and submit the result to them. We cannot submit incorrect data as they too do verifications," he said.

The water district submits to regulators' daily testing and reports on chlorine residue on top of the weekly and monthly reporting about chemical and microbial analyses, he said.

Royeca said their personnel conduct daily distribution line maintenance, noting that water sources and water lines have ultraviolet disinfection systems and microbial barriers.

He added that for several years now, they have removed water meters placed inside the houses in a bid to immediately isolate them in case the lines in a household are contaminated.

BWD maintains 58 deep wells, two rain-water harvesting facilities, and four springs, and supplies about 50,000 water connections all over the city. (PNA)