Bacteria found in Cebu, Mandaue waters

MANDAUE CITY – Waters in some areas of the cities of Cebu and Mandaue have been found contaminated with coliform bacteria, prompting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 to warn residents against drinking water from the areas.

The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the DENR 7 urged residents of barangays Pakna-an and Umapad in Mandaue City and some parts in barangay Talamban, Cebu City, to boil their water for drinking after tests showed that the water supply system, including deep wells in the areas, is contaminated with coliform bacteria.

Deep wells in the mountain barangays in Cebu City such as Sudlon I, Sudlon II, Pamutan, Toong, Sinsin and in the north like barangays Sirao, Taptap, Tagbao, Adlaon, Agsungot, Lusaran, and Tabunan are also contaminated, said supervising sanitation inspector Issac Deiparine.

The findings were made following the quarterly monitoring of the DENR 7. The monitoring is conducted twice a year – between April and June and between July and December.

The presence of coliforms in drinking water indicates possible presence of harmful, disease-causing organisms that are potential health risk. Coliforms are a broad class of bacteria found in the environment, including the feces of man and other warm-blooded animals.

Water supplies in these areas were found to have a coliform content of more than 16 MPN (most probable number) of bacteria per 100 milliliter. The acceptable level is less than 1.1 MPN/100ml based on the data released by the DENR 7.

The findings have already been forwarded to the local government units for proper actions. City health inspectors have already coordinated with the barangay captains and conducted information drive to warn residents of the risks of using contaminated water.

Last year, the DENR 7 noted high presence of coliform bacteria in some public beaches in Cebu, affecting tourist arrivals here, although the issue was immediately addressed.

Source: MB