DENR to install water quality lab in Iloilo City

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) will soon put up a water quality laboratory worth some P40 million to address problems on water quality of the rivers, creeks, water system and shallow wells in this city.

In his report to city mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog here, EMB Reg. Dir. Oscar Cabanayan reported a notice of project approval from DENR Secretary Ramon Paje in a move to improve the capability of EMB for international water standards.

The water laboratory project was personally requested by Ilonggo Senator Franklin M. Drilon and Mabilog to determine water quality standards and assessment of the Iloilo River, Batiano River and all creeks and tributaries, including the water sources from shallow and deep wells.

Engr. Sam Guillergan of EMB recently reported to the Iloilo River Development Council chaired by Mabilog the low quality of river waters showing high coliform content unfit for human needs.

There is no significant improvement of water quality in the September 2011 monitoring results compared to the previous months in terms of dissolved oxygen and total coliform parameters, Guillergan said.

The EMB recommended to the river council that all residential and commercial establishments, especially the Iloilo River are served with individual septic tanks, ensure regular desludging of septic tanks and proper treatment of sludge wastes, industries should have an effective wastewater treatment facility, resettlement of informal settlers along the river and its tributaries, strict enforcement of anti-dumping of solid wastes to the river and creeks, and develop alert system for potential fish kills based on water quality.

The EMB also recommended the promotion of organic farming and erosion control in agricultural areas, septage management, combine sewer and conventional sewerage system for the city proper and at Arevalo, Jaro, Molo and Mandurriao districts, and develop low-cost wastewater treatment facility for small establishments.