Water refilling stations sans DOH sanction warned anew
The city's Permits and Licensing Division is currently making rounds of the various water refilling stations in the city to check whether they meet the standards set by the Department of Health (DOH).
City Mayor Jerry Treñas, in an interview yesterday, again raised the warning against water refilling stations which do not meet the safety standards of DOH.
Treñas reiterated that he will not hesitate closing down water refilling stations that do not meet the requirements set by the health department.
Treñas said he was told that some water refilling stations in the city operates without proper health accreditation.
Last year, Treñas made the same warning against water refilling stations operating in the city.
Treñas said he has no idea on how many percent of the total number of water refilling stations in the city are accredited by the DOH.
The News Today gathered that last year, Iloilo City registered 113 water refilling stations. But reports disclose that only 23 have the sanitary permit from the DOH.
Local government units are responsible for issuing sanitary permits in accordance with the Sanitation Code of the Philippines. However, the water stations must first secure initial and operational permit from the DOH before they could get a sanitary permit. Sanitary permit is also a prerequisite in the issuance of a business permit.
The health department issues an initial permit (or notice to proceed) to an applicant for the construction, installation and operation of a water source that meets the plans and specifications set by the DOH. After the construction of the water supply system, the owner must apply for an operational permit and secure a certificate of potability from the local health office.
Water refilling station must also submit a monthly water analysis to the local government units. This is one way to monitor and ensure the safety of the water sold to the buyers. Under the Sanitation Code, the city or municipal health officer should recommend the immediate suspension of the sanitary permit if the company is found to have unsanitary conditions.
The chief executive said it is necessary for the water refilling stations to sell clean water to its customers. It is a health issue that should not be taken for granted, he said.
The mayor noted that unsafe water was one of the reasons cited in the recent increase in the typhoid cases in Iloilo City.