Assessment of the extent of implementation of standards and procedures for water safety in the Philippines A.C. Sales, L.M. Porticos, H.R, Maspiňas, M.A. Casas, P.R. Jabla and M.A.S. Jabla Global Forum on Research and Innovation for Health 2015 Manila, Philippines
Safe drinking water and basic sanitation is of crucial importance 1.6M deaths of children per year can be attributed to unsafe water, poor sanitation and lack of hygiene (WHO, 2010). PNSDW (2007) stressed the importance of assuring the quality of drinking water that is delivered to the public PNSDW Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water
WHO recommends application of Water Safety Plans (WSPs) as an effective means of consistently ensuring the safety of a drinking water supply from catchment to consumers WHO World Health Organization Source: www.mfe.govt.nz
The research accomplished 2 objectives 1. assessed the extent of water safety planning among drinking water providers (DWPs) 2. validated water quality monitoring results of DWPs and assessed compliance with PNSDW (2007)
METHODOLOGY First phase: establishment of partnerships and operational arrangements
METHODOLOGY Second phase: assessing the level of implementation of systems and procedures on water safety
METHODOLOGY Third phase: validation of drinking water quality compared to reports generated by the water providers
83 DWPs from 9 regions were purposively selected
2 sets of inclusion criteria for water service providers were specified Levels I and II Level III LGU-accredited KALAHI CIDSS implemented project Geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas Operational Proximity to DOH-accredited water testing lab Categorized by LWUA Operational Member of PAWD and Regional Water Council Complete system Availability of 3-year water quality monitoring reports
Level of development and implementation of WSPs among DWPs is still very low 92% of Drinking Water Providers do not have Water Safety Plans Only 5% implement Water Safety Plans All water districts have their WSPs at varying levels of development WSPs Water Safety Plans DWPs Drinking Water Providers
No. of samples 249 water samples were analyzed for 13 of the14 priority drinking water parameters (PNSDW, 2007) 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 Level I Level II Level III All levels 5 0 Region
14 priority drinking water parameters for monitoring (PNSDW, 2007) Of health significance: Acceptability parameters: 1. Microbiological 2. Arsenic 3. Cadmium 4. Lead 5. Nitrate 6. Benzene 7. Iron 8. Manganese 8. Chloride 9. Sulfate 10. ph 11. Color 12. Turbidity 13. Total dissolved solids
Non-compliant samples, % Quality of drinking water in certain areas does not comply with PNSDW (2007) 100 90 80 42% of water samples turned out positive for fecal contamination 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Total Fecal Coliform coliform HPC Level I 69 36 42 Level II 94 83 60 Level III 14 8 10
Percent 8% of samples exceeded maximum tolerable limits for cadmium, lead or arsenic 32% failed in terms of one or more acceptability parameters Of health significance Acceptability aspects 37 32 26 Iron Manganese Chloride Sulfate ph Color Turbidity Total dissolved solids 7 6 12 Level I Level II Level III Drinking Water Provider Classification
We have 2 evidence-based recommendations to increase capacities of DWPs That DOH, thru the LGUs and LWUA 1. Train and mentor DWPs in developing and implementing WSPs DOH Department of Health LGUs Local Government Units LWUA Local Water Utilities Admininstration DWPs Drinking Water Providers WSPs Water Safety Plans 2. Develop comprehensive advocacy, partnership and networking strategy to enforce PNSDW (2007) PNSDW Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water
Assessment of the extent of implementation of standards and procedures for water safety in the Philippines A.C. Sales, L.M. Porticos, H.R, Maspiňas, M.A. Casas, P.R. Jabla and M.A.S. Jabla Global Forum on Research and Innovation for Health 2015 Manila, Philippines