DOST, DoH scientists, Maynilad say it’s safe to drink tap water in Metro Manila

Friday 11th of May 2012

QUEZON CITY, May 11 (PIA) -- It is safe to drink water from the tap even without boiling it.

This developed after the Department of Science and Technology-National Academy of Science and Technology (DOST-NAST) held a round table discussion on Water Borne Diseases at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino in Malate, Manila last May 10, Thursday.

During the discussion, Dr. Nilo Marayad of the Department of Health-National Capital Region (DOH-NCR) said based on their tests for the month of April, the water samples from the tap in Metro Manila are safe and potable.

He said the chlorine content and the other process made by MWSS ensures the potability of tap water in the National Capital Region.

Marayad also said they regularly keep in touch with the water concessionaires of Metro Manila and Metropolitan Water Works and Sewerage Sytem (MWSS) as well.

Maynilad Water Services Inc. (MWSI) and Manila Water Company (MWC) are Metro Manila’s water concessionaires.

Meanwhile, the DOST-National Academy of Science and Technology (DOST-NAST) said the forum on water borne diseases is in preparation for an Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) this coming July.

NAST, headed by its president Dr. Emil Q. Javier, is one of the two advisory bodies of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) concerning science and technology.

Around 70 experts from the national government agencies (NGAs), academe and local government units (LGUs) participated in the said round table, as part of a series leading to the NAST’s 34th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) on July 11 and 12 to be held at the historic landmark Manila Hotel.

NAST is holding a series of round table discussions revolving around the ASM’s theme, such as provision of clean and potable water, water for irrigation, septage and sanitation, flood control/mitigation, energy generation, ecology and biodiversity of bodies of water, water rights, and governance and management of water resources.

Also tackled during the May 10 round table discussion include water chemicals and toxins, water borne diseases and pathogens and quality of water from the country's water service providers.

Meanwhile, MWSI laboratory head Evangeline Clemente said since 2010, they consistently received 100 percent satisfactory compliance rating from the Metro Manila Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Committee (MMDWQMC).

The high rating confirms that water from Maynilad's distribution system is safe for drinking and cooking.

MMDWQMC conducts monthly water sampling in over 800 points in Maynilad’s concession area. The samples undergo strict bacteriological, physical and chemical examination to ensure that the water meets the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) of the Department of Health (DOH).

MWSI’s La Mesa Treatment Plants 1 and 2 in Fairview, Novaliches obtained triple ISO certifications in 2009, proving that the facilities' systems and procedures meet strict international standards for quality, environment, and occupational safety and health.

Moreover, the company’s service improvement projects—including the replacement of old, leaky pipes throughout its concession area—has reduced the risk of intrusion of dirty water into the distribution network.

The MMDWQMC is composed of representatives from the Department of Health (DOH)-Center for Health Development - Metro Manila, DOH-National Center for Health Facility Development, Manila Health Department - Public Health Laboratory, Marikina Clean Food Laboratory, Makati Health Department, Pasay City Health Department, Parañaque City Health Department, Quezon City Health Department, Las Piñas City Health Department, Environmental Management Bureau, MWSS Regulatory Office, Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and Manila Water Company Inc. The committee is tasked to monitor the quality of water being served by the two concessionaires.

MWSI is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base.

It is a concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres & Sta. Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Avenue, EDSA, Congressional, Mindanao Avenue, the northern part starting from the Districts of the Holy Spirit & Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; Cavite City, and the towns of Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province. (DOST/DOH/MAYNILAD/RJB/JRCA-PIA-NCR)