All the Days of March, Part 2

Issue No. 3 – Environmental factors in water contamination

The weather, the dry season, and the soil and irrigation systems have been correlated with increased incidence of water and food-borne infections. In many hotels in Boracay and just recently, some restaurants along Roxas Boulevard, leakage and seepage in septic tanks or inappropriate sewage treatments resulted in pollution of groundwater and the Manila Bay. Wells and leaking pipes and water storage that are not watertight are sources of bacteria that can affect drinking water, and thus making an impact on health and wellbeing.

During typhoons, flooding, and natural calamities, water is the first to be affected. Rodents, cockroaches, and insects, not to mention animal and plant parts entering water storage and sources are other starting place of water contamination. Human and natural wastes, agricultural products, such as pesticides and chemical fertilizers contaminate agricultural water and drinking water during natural occurring floods.

Making water safe for you and your family

In these days of water crisis it is important to store and consume safe drinking water for you and your loved ones. Tri-media information dissemination impressed that water ration from fire trucks and hydrants are not safe to drink. In Metro Manila and even in nearby provinces, bottled water are always available. If by circumstance you might want to prepare your own safe drinking water, these might interest you:

1. Boiling is the easiest and surest method to kill disease-causing organisms, including bacteria, parasites, and viruses. You can improve the taste of boiled water by pouring it from one container to another. This method will also cool the water.

2. It the water is cloudy, filter it through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter. Allow the sediments, if there are any, to settle. Draw off the clear water and bring it to a rolling boil for 1 minute. You may even boil it up to 3 minutes. Let the boiled water cool.

3. Store boiled water for drinking in clean sanitized containers with tight covers. You can store your drinking water supply in containers inside the refrigerator.

4. Chlorine bleach can eliminate water impurities. Use a medicine dropper and add eight drops of bleach per gallon. If the water is cloudy, add 16 drops. Stir the water well. Let it stand for at least 30 minutes before drinking.

5. Other methods include: Portable water filters and the use of water purification tablets.

Prevention

Any water origin disease outbreak should immediately be notified to the barangay and healthcare officers. Other simple preventive measures include the following: Wear gloves, boots, and other protective devices when in contact with contaminated water, such as floodwater. Discourage children from swimming in contaminated and unsafe bodies of water.