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Access to clean and adequate water remains an acute seasonal problem in urban and
coastal areas in the Philippines. The National Capital Region (Metro Manila), Central
Luzon, Southern Tagalog, and Central Visayas are the four urban critical regions in
terms of water quality and quantity. The Governments monitoring data indicates:
Just over a third or 36 percent of the countrys river systems are classified
as sources of public water supply:
Many areas are experiencing a shortage of water supply during the dry
season.
Nearly 2.2 million metric tons of of organic pollution are produced annually by domestic
(48 percent), agricultural (37 percent), and industrial (15 percent) sectors. In the four
water-critical regions, water pollution is dominated by domestic and industrial sources.
Untreated wastewater affects health by spreading disease-causing bacteria and viruses,
makes water unfit for drinking and recreational use, threatens biodiversity, and
deteriorates overall quality of life. Known diseases caused by poor water include gastro-
enteritis, diarrhea, typhoid, cholera, dysentery, hepatitis, and more recently, severe
acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The number of water-related health outbreaks
including deaths reported in newspapers is going up. However, awareness regarding
the need for improved sanitation and water pollution control, reflected by the
willingness-to-pay and connection to a sewerage system where they are easily
available, is very low.
Water quality usually does not meet the standards set by the national
government, especially in urban areas. As a result, waterborne
diseases remain to be a severe public health concern in the country. About
4,200 people die each year due to contaminated drinking water.
gastro-enteritis
your stomach and intestines are irritated and inflamed.
Diarrhea
is an increase in the frequency of bowel movements, an increase in the looseness of
stool or both
Typhoid
an infectious bacterial fever with an eruption of red spots on the chest and abdomen and
severe intestinal irritation.
Cholera
an infectious disease that causes severe watery diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration
and even death if untreated
dysentery
an infectious disease that causes severe watery diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration
and even death if untreated
hepatitis
is an inflammation of the liver. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to
fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.
severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
is an inflammation of the liver. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to
fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.
The Philippines is a Developing Nation that has experienced a rapid rise in urbanization and
industrialization as its population has grown rapidly. Unfortunately, this rapid development has
come at a price of increased water pollution, with 47% of all surveyed water bodies in the
country having good water quality, 40% having only fair water quality, and 13% having poor
water quality. Around 50 of the 421 rivers in the Philippines are now considered to be
biologically dead, supplying sufficient oxygen for only the most hardy species to survive there.
Solutions
There are a number of actions that the nation of the Philippines can take to
address its national problems associated with water pollution.
Intestinal disorders. Water may or Contamination due to Disinfect water supply with strong
may not have "off' taste or odor. surface runoff containing chlorine solution and install automatic
fertilizer, pesticides, or manure. chlorinator if appropriate. Install check
Unprotected plumbing cross valves or other protection at cross
connections. Sewage connections and maintain air gaps
infiltration. between faucets and any possible
source of contamination.
Reddish-brown stains in sinks, Dissolved iron in the water After determining type and amount of
toilets, tubs, dishwashers, and that is oxidized by air to form iron problem, select appropriate iron
dishes. Reddish-brown stains or iron oxide, which is insoluble. removal equipment such as chlorinator
yellowing of laundry, especially after (See also iron bacteria.) and sand filter, high capacity water
using chlorine bleach. Water tastes softener or manganese greensand filter.
metallic. Brown sediment in standing
water.
Reddish slime on walls of toilet flush Iron bacteria, which live on Install a chlorinator to feed into the well
tank and reduced water flow. Slimy iron in the water and eventually near the pump intake and an activated
material suspended in clear water. harden into scale. carbon filter to remove excess chlorine
and other objectionable tastes or odors.
Corroding water pipes. Water Low pH, commonly called acid Depending on the acidity level, use
dripping from corroded iron or water; often caused by a high appropriate treatment such as aeration,
galvanized pipe has a rusty color. concentration of carbon soda ash feeder, or neutralizing filter.
Laundry may have red, reddish- dioxide.
brown, or blue-green stains. Metallic Water softeners may increase
taste. the corrosivity of acid water.
Rotten egg odor. Copper and silver Hydrogen sulfide, sulfate Compounds such as iron sulfide, calcium
turn black in the water. Black stains reducing bacteria, or sulfur sulfide, and sodium sulfide can interfere
on laundry and porcelain. Black bacteria. with hydrogen sulfide removal so
particles in water. multiple treatments may be required.
Appropriate treatments include
chlorination or aeration followed by
filtration through a sand filter.
Objectionable taste or odor other Decaying organic Install activated carbon filter or automatic
than hydrogen sulfide. matter, pollution from surface chlorinator followed by activated carbon
drainage, insufficient chlorine filter.
being used to disinfect water.
Turbid, cloudy or dirty water. Dingy Silt, sediment, small Install a fiber or a sand filter.
laundry. organisms or organic
matter, suspended in the
water.
Black stains on sinks, tubs, and Manganese (often appears Iron removal treatment also removes
laundry. Water may feel greasy. with iron). manganese.