A pump operator from Sagay Water District conducts free chlorine residual testing using SWA’s digital chlorine tester.
Negros Occidental – Limited to no access to safe water means increased risk of waterborne disease outbreaks like cholera. Such is the case in Negros Occidental where many water service providers (WSPs), such as Barangay Water and Sanitation Associations (BWASA) either do not chlorinate or do not practice proper chlorination. Hence, USAID, through its Safe Water Project, is providing water quality assurance training, focusing on proper chlorination practice to comply with drinking water standards.
Since last year, the project has been assisting WSPs comply with the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW). On January 25 and 27, USAID conducted on-site demonstration and trainings on residual chlorine and pressure readings at strategic sampling sites of the Sagay City Water District and in advocating for chlorination practices among BWASA-run water systems in Silay City. USAID will continue to monitor the chlorination practices to sustain sound practice of disinfection.
USAID hopes that by engaging with water district and BWASA-run water systems on water quality assurance, WSPs can improve their service and in particular, reduce the risk of water-borne diseases in communities served. (USAID Safe Water Project)
