Some wells in flood-hit Pangasinan contaminated with coliform bacteria

Water for washing and drinking is getting harder to come by for residents of some areas in Pangasinan affected by floods due to heavy monsoon rain in past weeks.

In Calasiao town, deep wells submerged in floods tested positive for coliform bacteria, GMA Dagupan's Jasmin Gabriel reported Wednesday.

This prompted the municipal health office to discourage residents from using deep wells as sources of drinking water, saying the contaminated water could cause diarrhea and gastro-intestinal diseases.

"The mere fact na lubog sa baha yung mga poso talagang papasukan ng bacteria yun," Calasiao town health officer Dr. Jesus de Vera said.

For now, the Municipal Health Office admitted it may take time to decontaminate the wells. It said it has to wait for the floods to subside.

"Bale yung hysposol po sa isang container, 12 liters isang hyposol po ilagay, lilinis po yun at pwede nang inumin," said Calasiao MHO sanitation officer Teddy Tuliao.

Calasiao is one of the areas under a state of calamity due to the floods brought by heavy monsoon rain. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News