Coliform bacteria present in Buguias water sources 05-10-30

	NORDIS WEEKLY October 30, 2005
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Coliform bacteria present in Buguias water sources
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (Oct. 25) — Results of the water analysis in barangay Loo in Buguias town revealed that only one of the 20 water sources recently submitted for water sampling and testing tested negative of the coliform bacteria. The water testing was done by the Benguet State University (BSU) research division as a component of a five-year study to look into the impact of agro-chemicals on soil, water and the overall well-being of humans. Loo’s water analysis was prioritized by barangay officials. Dr. Carlito Laurean, BSU’s director for Research, told the media that two of these water sources even tested positive for the bacteria e-coli, indicating fecal contamination. E-coli cause typhoid fever and diarrhea once ingested by humans, he said. The coliform bacteria indicate a contamination by animal or human waste, Laurean confirms. “A municipal health report confirmed the high incidence of diarrhea in the whole town,” Laurean said. “This might be an indication that other sources in the municipality are similarly contaminated with human wastes,” he said. The water samples were taken on August 10 and 11 from sources which included kitchen faucets, artesian wells, springs and rivers in all the sitios of barangay Loo. Laurean said that even the barangay’s water reservoir is positive of the coliform bacteria. The research team plans another medical outreach to ascertain the safe distance of the comfort rooms and septic tanks from the sources tested. Yet another water testing will be done in summer to check on the same sources. “It could be that a surface run-off carried bacteria that contaminated the water sources,” Laureano theorized, not discounting the possibility that the artesian wells are near the septic tanks. He also looks into the possibility of bad personal hygiene and sanitation practices. He said the cheapest and quickest remedy is to boil water for drinking for 15-30 minutes to kill the disease-causing bacteria. He did not discount the idea of setting up a water district to look into the safety of residents as well as travelers. The study which is funded by the Belgian government started in 2003 and will end in 2008. It will test five other Buguias barangays for pesticide residues on the soil and blood samples from residents, aside from water testing. The water tests for pesticide residue are yet to be conducted. # Lyn V. Ramo for NORDIS
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	NORDIS WEEKLY October 30, 2005
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
Coliform bacteria present in Buguias water sources
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (Oct. 25) — Results of the water analysis in barangay Loo in Buguias town revealed that only one of the 20 water sources recently submitted for water sampling and testing tested negative of the coliform bacteria. The water testing was done by the Benguet State University (BSU) research division as a component of a five-year study to look into the impact of agro-chemicals on soil, water and the overall well-being of humans. Loo’s water analysis was prioritized by barangay officials. Dr. Carlito Laurean, BSU’s director for Research, told the media that two of these water sources even tested positive for the bacteria e-coli, indicating fecal contamination. E-coli cause typhoid fever and diarrhea once ingested by humans, he said. The coliform bacteria indicate a contamination by animal or human waste, Laurean confirms. “A municipal health report confirmed the high incidence of diarrhea in the whole town,” Laurean said. “This might be an indication that other sources in the municipality are similarly contaminated with human wastes,” he said. The water samples were taken on August 10 and 11 from sources which included kitchen faucets, artesian wells, springs and rivers in all the sitios of barangay Loo. Laurean said that even the barangay’s water reservoir is positive of the coliform bacteria. The research team plans another medical outreach to ascertain the safe distance of the comfort rooms and septic tanks from the sources tested. Yet another water testing will be done in summer to check on the same sources. “It could be that a surface run-off carried bacteria that contaminated the water sources,” Laureano theorized, not discounting the possibility that the artesian wells are near the septic tanks. He also looks into the possibility of bad personal hygiene and sanitation practices. He said the cheapest and quickest remedy is to boil water for drinking for 15-30 minutes to kill the disease-causing bacteria. He did not discount the idea of setting up a water district to look into the safety of residents as well as travelers. The study which is funded by the Belgian government started in 2003 and will end in 2008. It will test five other Buguias barangays for pesticide residues on the soil and blood samples from residents, aside from water testing. The water tests for pesticide residue are yet to be conducted. # Lyn V. Ramo for NORDIS
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