ILOILO CITY (PIA) - The provisions of the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) must be strictly complied by the concerned sectors in order to protect the public, the Department of Health (DoH) underscored Friday.
Dr. Elvie Villalobos, DoH-6 Head of the Environmental and Occupational Health Section, said the PNSDW is contained in DoH Administrative Order No. 0012, series of 2007, which she said was established because of significant developments in the country's water resources.
Villalobos said among these developments are the many chemicals identified to be contaminating the water coming from agricultural, industrial and domestic practices.
The DoH has detected naturally hazardous substances in water sources, like arsenic and fluoride, lead and mercury. Villalobos said these chemicals may result to unacceptable taste, odor and appearance of water.
The other factor, she said, is the proliferation of water-refilling stations as alternative or main sources of drinking water. She said there is a need for distinct standards for processed water as well as the need for new approaches in safe management of water supply.
