Unlicensed water refilling stations in Dagupan will soon be closed when the ordinance banning their operations is passed by the city council.

The pending ordinance was put forward after the 80-member Metro Dagupan Water Refilling Station Cooperative sought the help of City Councilor Jesus Canto, chairman of the council’s Committee on Health.

According to Canto, a medical doctor, the proposal has already been cleared by the committee following hearings before the Christmas break.

It will be submitted to the council for review and approval when sessions resume this week.

Under the ordinance, all water refilling stations, especially those outside the city center, will be required to strictly comply with the submission of documents such as report on water analysis for coliform and other parasites, chemical analysis and chlorine residue.

“This is a free enterprise but they must comply with the requirements,” Canto said, referring to water refilling operators that are based elsewhere but have shops in Dagupan.

The City Health Office will also be checking on space requirement and water source as well as conducting a coliform test monthly and a chemical analysis every six months.

The city government is also set to purchase P1 million worth of water analysis equipment, which the operators can also rent for a minimal fee.

Water analysis is currently being done at the Region 1 Medical Center and at the Dagupan City Water District (DCWD).

BANNING BOTTLED WATER

Meanwhile, Canto said he is also looking into the feasibility of banning the sale and use of bottled water in the city to minimize garbage, which is currently a major problem for the local government.

He said the government-owned water district here should ensure that water from the tap is always clean and safe for drinking so that residents don’t have to buy bottled water.

He, however, admitted that this idea is still a long way to implementation.

“I think that’s the best (if we can abolish bottled water) provided that the city government can assure it can provide clean and safe drinking water,” Canto said.#

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