Muntinlupa opens water laboratory

The Muntinlupa City government yesterday formally opened a water laboratory which will be used to check and monitor the chemical content of the drinking water in the city.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said that while Marikina City was the first local government unit to have a water laboratory, Muntinlupa is the first to have a complete facility for water testing.

He noted that it is necessary for every city to have a water laboratory to prevent water-borne illnesses from affecting residents.

The laboratory, located at the second floor of the Alabang Public Market, was established pursuant to the Sanitation Code of the Philippines, which states that LGUs are responsible in ensuring a safe supply of drinking water for their constituents.

Councilor Raul Corro said the laboratory was built as a preventive measure against harmful bacteria that might be present in the water.

He said that the facility will be open Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is open to the public. A minimum fee of P250 is charged for bacteriological examination.

The fee covers bottles to be used in the examination as well as the issuance of a certificate of potability of the water examined.

Corro said they are also looking forward to upgrade water stations in the city through a "Sanitation Standard Rating System," whereby residents-consumers will be the ones to evaluate establishments.

Fresnedi stressed that bacteriological examination of a drinking water is required every month for all water and refilling stations in the city based on an ordinance passed by the City Council, while a complete chemical water analysis will be done semi-annually.