BAGUIO CITY – Eleven of 31 commercial deep wells tested by the city government failed to meet national bacteriological water safety standards.
Albert Pay-an, head of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Division of the City Health Services Office (CHSO), said the city has identified 40 commercial deep wells.
“Of the first 31 that underwent bacteriological testing, 11 failed and 20 passed, while laboratory results for the remaining nine are pending,” Pay-an said in an interview Friday.
He said one of the most common reasons for failing the tests was that operators had shut off chlorinators used to disinfect water before distribution.
Establishments that failed the tests were issued sanitary orders directing them to suspend operations and undergo maintenance before they could resume business.
However, Pay-an said some deep wells also failed succeeding tests.
Water-related businesses that fail testing twice may be ordered closed for failing to maintain water quality standards.
The city discovered 1,187 illegal deep wells, while only 280 are operating legally, through the task force created following the 2025 diarrhea outbreak that affected both residents and tourists.
Authorities traced the outbreak to contaminated water supplied to food establishments.
Pay-an said testing requirements vary depending on the type of water-related business.
Water delivery trucks undergo bacteriological testing every quarter, while commercial deep wells are tested monthly for bacteriological contamination and every six months for physical and chemical parameters, in accordance with the city’s sanitation ordinance.
He said many unregistered deep well operators continue to operate without permits or mandatory testing.
Some reportedly deliver water at night or source water from outside the city before distributing it in Baguio.
The CHSO has asked industry operators to help identify unregistered businesses and encourage them to comply with health and safety regulations.
To operate legally, water refilling stations and water delivery services must secure a Certificate of Water Potability from the CHSO.
The certificate requires proof of monthly bacteriological testing and semiannual physical and chemical testing.
Violators face a PHP5,000 fine and cease-and-desist orders under the city’s sanitation ordinance.
Pay-an said regular inspections are also conducted in restaurants, malls, food stalls with own water purification systems, and businesses that manufacture ice, as these all provide products for public consumption. **Liza Agoot
