Drinking water in typhoon-hit areas contaminated–DOH

HEALTH Secretary Enrique Ona on Friday urged displaced residents in Leyte and Eastern Samar to either boil or chlorinate drinking water for their own safety, following results of the water-testing that revealed fecal contamination.

The results of the water-testing showed that several samples from Leyte and Eastern Samar showed the presence of fecal coliforms or E. Coli. The rapid Colilert 18 test kits were used.

“Local water districts should continue monitoring water safety for fecal contamination and residual chlorine,” Ona urged, adding that adequately treated municipal water should have residual chlorine of 0.2 to 2 parts per million. A team composed of representatives from the Department of Health (DOH), Local Water Utilities Administration, Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. conducted the water-testing for drinking-water potability in several areas in Leyte (Santa Fe, Tacloban, Tanauan) and Eastern Samar (10 municipalities, including Hernani and Guiuan) from November 27 to 30.

“It is also important that broken pipes should be fixed and that residents should not tamper with these pipes, as this will only increase risk of contaminating the water supply, and those who source out water of unknown quality [shallow wells] should also disinfect their water,” Ona explained. Water should be heated to a rolling boil for one to two minutes, and then allowed to cool before putting it in clean containers.

The DOH and other humanitarian missions have also started the distribution of jerry cans that can hold 20 liters of water. In addition, hyposol (chlorine solution) or Aquatabs—water-purification tablets that are used to treat drinking water—are also being distributed. Bottled water, when available, need not be treated.

“Families should always use safe and clean water, observe proper hand washing and personal hygiene so that diarrhea outbreaks can be prevented,” Ona added.