BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA) passed the chlorine residuals minimum requirement of the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW), based on tests conducted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Safe Water Project.
The water quality assurance (WQA) activity was conducted by USAID Safe Water Project last month, together with PrimeWater and BACIWA, through a joint chlorine residual monitoring from 12 water sampling points across Bacolod City.
The samples passed the 0.3 parts per million (ppm) chlorine residuals minimum requirement of the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW), Prime Water said in a statement it issued.
PrimeWater said the test was conducted as part of ensuring water quality is within standards to prevent the spread of cholera in the province.
USAID Safe Water Project supports the Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan (PWSSMP) led by the National Economic and Development Agency (NEDA), targeting universal access to safe water supply and sanitation.
At present, about 12.4 million Filipinos still get water from unsafe sources, which increases risk of water-borne diseases.
“PrimeWater is grateful that USAID Safe Water Project joined us in this water quality assurance activity as we maintain the safety of the water we supply to Bacolodnons. Rest assured that we will continue to deliver and find more ways to provide quality service alongside prioritizing the health of our consumers in our served areas,” emphasized Farah Jenny Monteclaro, PrimeWater Bacolod Branch Manager.
To maintain water quality, PrimeWater and BACIWA consistently conduct daily chlorination using sodium hypochlorite to ensure the potability of the water supply to more than 67,000 concessionaires in the city. Aside from this, testing of water for microbiological parameters is also regularly conducted.
“We are even more driven to improve our services as USAID Safe Water recognizes our common goals and mission towards universal access to safe water supply and sanitation. We look forward to opportunities of collaborating with them in the future,” Mona Dia Jardin, General Manager of Bacolod Water District said.*
