Balibago warns water not safe for drinking

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The South Balibago Waterworks (SBW) in the Jaro district has advised customers to “refrain” from using their water for drinking and cooking due to confirmed traces of chemical contaminants from its raw water sources.

In a statement issued on Sunday afternoon, May 5, the water distribution utility reported elevated levels of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in the raw water entering its treatment plant in Bongco, Pototan.

The recorded TDS level as of 2:00 p.m. on May 5 was 1060 ppm, decreasing from the 1600 ppm recorded at 11 a.m.

“The accepted TDS level is less than 600 ppm according to the Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water,” it added.

Considering the high level of TDS, the water utility said their water is only suitable for domestic purposes such as bathing, washing, and cleaning.

SBW serves various areas in Iloilo City, particularly in most parts of the Jaro district, Leganes, and the Zarraga Water District.

TDS refers to the concentration of dissolved substances in water, including salts, minerals, organic matter, and other dissolved solids.

While the presence of TDS in water does not necessarily indicate harm to human health, high levels of TDS can affect the taste, odor, and appearance of water, and in some cases, it may indicate the presence of contaminants that signal the need for further investigation into the water’s quality and potential health risks.

The SBW explained that the elevated levels of TDS can be attributed to the ongoing El Nino, resulting in lower average rainfall and seawater intrusion into river water.

Earlier on Sunday, it said that its water treatment plant in Pototan “may be shut down due to a water quality issue.”

“Prolonged use of water with elevated TDS levels for domestic uses may cause buildup of scales and corrosion in the pipelines, plumbing fixtures and house equipment such as water heaters,” it said.

Consumers may also notice that cleaning agents such as soap and detergents may have difficulty in foaming,” SBW added.