Los Baños LGU takes decisive action to combat E. coli contamination in artesian wells
The local government of Los Baños, Laguna, has recently passed two critical resolutions in response to the alarming discovery of E. coli contamination in artesian well water. This proactive step was prompted by a study conducted by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), which tested 30 samples from various barangays, including Bayog, Malinta, and Mayondon. The results were concerning, with eight samples testing positive for fecal coliform and three confirming the presence of E. coli.
To address this issue, the municipal government has taken two significant actions. First, it has established closer coordination between UPLB and the municipality. This collaboration aims to jointly identify and assess artesian wells, develop management recommendations, provide assistance to affected communities, and ensure that all UPLB studies related to public health risks are shared with the local government, particularly the Sangguniang Bayan, for effective crisis management.
Second, the government is intensifying the implementation of the Philippine Water Code, a municipal ordinance. This involves strengthening information dissemination on the proper use, management, and regulation of artesian wells within Los Baños. Councilor Muriel Laisa Dizon, the chairperson of the Health, Nutrition, and Sanitation Committee, emphasizes the importance of reinforcing the understanding that artesian wells are not intended for domestic use and should not be used for drinking, despite some residents using them for irrigation, washing, or even bathing.
The local government is also working closely with the Municipal Health Office and barangay leaders to expedite disinfection procedures and develop long-term solutions. The primary goal is to ensure that the community has access to potable water and that residents do not consume water from contaminated wells. Dizon reassures the public that the LGU is committed to providing clean, accessible, sufficient, and efficient water for all residents of Los Baños.
These resolutions demonstrate the LGU's proactive approach to safeguarding public health and ensuring the safety and resilience of the municipality's water sources.
