LOS BAÑOS, Laguna (PIA) – The local government of Los Baños has passed two resolutions aimed at addressing reported cases of Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination in water from several artesian wells across the municipality, following water quality assessments conducted by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).
A recent UPLB study revealed alarming contamination in artesian well water of Los Baños, with eight of the 30 samples collected from selected barangays including Bayog, Malinta, and Mayondon—testing positive for fecal coliform and three confirming the presence of E. coli.
In response, the municipal government approved two significant resolutions to strengthen monitoring, coordination, and public awareness on safe water use.
Municipal Councilor and Committee on Health, Nutrition and Sanitation Chairperson Muriel Laisa Dizon said the resolutions are a proactive move to prevent potential health emergencies and ensure that the municipality responds swiftly to any threat to public safety.
The first resolution directs closer coordination between UPLB and the municipality for the joint identification and assessment of artesian wells, formulation of management recommendations, provision of assistance to affected communities, and the requirement that all UPLB studies posing risks to public health be furnished to the local government, particularly the Sangguniang Bayan, to support effective crisis management.
“We have passed two resolutions. We are collaborating with UPLB Community Affairs to ensure we hold meetings to address this issue because they are the ones with the technical expertise who know how to handle crisis management,” Dizon said.
The second resolution intensifies the implementation of the municipal ordinance adopting the Philippine Water Code (Presidential Decree No. 1067) through strengthened information dissemination on the proper use, management, and regulation of artesian wells within Los Baños.
“We are also intensifying the implementation of the Philippine Water Code. We adopted it before, but as the chairperson of Science and Technology and Health, Nutrition and Sanitation, I am now leading its enforcement. Wells are not meant for domestic use; people know they should not be drinking from them, though some still use them for irrigation, washing, or even in bathing and we need to reinforce this,” she added.
Dizon also noted that the LGU is working closely with the Municipal Health Office and barangay leaders to fast-track disinfection procedures and develop long-term solutions to ensure Los Baños’ water sources remain resilient and compliant with national standards.
“We are making sure that communities are provided with potable water. We want to ensure that residents do not drink from contaminated wells, and we assure them that the LGU is working to provide not just clean but accessible, sufficient, and efficient water for all,” Dizon said. (AM/PIA 4A)