ILOILO City – As temperatures rise during the dry season, the Iloilo City Health Office (ICHO) has intensified its monitoring of water refilling stations and deep well sources to prevent waterborne illnesses and ensure the safety of drinking water.
The enforcement is part of Executive Order No. 052, which mandates regular inspections and laboratory testing of all water refilling stations operating in the city.
According to Chief Sanitation Inspector VI Jennifer Christie P. Avenir, sanitary inspectors from each district are required to conduct monthly water sampling, with the results analyzed by a Department of Health (DOH)-accredited laboratory.
“Cleanliness is the number one priority for water refilling stations. Owners must maintain strict sanitation standards and regularly test their water to guarantee its safety for public consumption,” Avenir said.
ICHO also emphasized compliance with regulatory requirements, including sanitary permits, health cards for personnel, and business permits. Spot inspections are regularly conducted, with violators issued sanitary notices.
Non-compliant establishments face escalating enforcement that may result in closure.
“A first sanitary notice is issued, followed by a second notice for continued non-compliance. If the issues remain unresolved, a third notice is given, leading to an endorsement for closure,” said Avenir.
Records show that the districts with the highest number of refilling stations are Jaro II (79), Molo (68), Jaro I (65), La Paz (55), and Arevalo (46). Given the volume of operations, ICHO has ramped up surveillance to ensure compliance across all establishments.
In cases where contaminated water leads to confirmed gastrointestinal illnesses, the city orders immediate temporary closure of the source facility until corrective measures are implemented and the water passes retesting.
Beyond refilling stations, the city also monitors bulk water deliveries from outside Iloilo. The Local Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Committee ensures these sources meet safety standards before distribution.
Water Safety Plans are mandatory for all refilling stations, requiring documentation of water sources, treatment processes, and risk management protocols.
For deep wells, more stringent testing is implemented — bacteriological tests every three months, physical and chemical tests twice a year, and finished product testing every six months.
While Iloilo City has over 18,000 wells, only a fraction are used by refilling stations. Most are household sources, especially in areas without access to Metro Pacific or Balibago Water Services.
To mitigate risks, ICHO, barangay health workers, and sanitary inspectors conduct routine chlorination, particularly crucial during the dry season when bacterial growth increases.
Avenir urged residents relying on wells to practice household chlorination.
“We teach proper chlorination techniques during barangay meetings to ensure water is safe to drink,” she said.
Deep wells without laboratory testing are classified as “doubtful water sources.”
DOH offers free testing at its Sta. Barbara facility, but access is limited, prompting local governments to shoulder the testing cost, which starts at P500 for bacteriological analysis.
With the heightened risk of contamination and shortages, Avenir said ICHO remains committed to educating the public and monitoring water quality.
“Our goal is to protect public health and prevent waterborne diseases in Iloilo City,” she added./PN
