The water at a portion of the Tamugan-Panigan River in Barangay Tamugan, Davao City turned black allegedly due to waste discharge from a piggery nearby.

Residents living near the area were alarmed after noticing that the water in the river, which they use for washing clothes and bathing, had turned black.

They also noticed a foul odor.

“Baho kaayo og tae sa baboy uy. Nagreklamo ang mga tao…Dili lang maudto ba, murag permi gyud kada alas singko, mao gyud ang mahitabo sa tubig kanang malubog og maayo, manimahong tae sa baboy,” a resident, Emma Villanueva, said.

The barangay council immediately issued an advisory prohibiting residents from getting water from the river, at least for now.

“Naay niabot nga taga City Health Office nagkuha na gani to sila og sampling kay ang ilang istorya, dili sa ipagamit sa mga tao kay examinenon kay hugaw man, waste sa piggery nga na-dispose didto sa sapa,” Acting Barangay Chairman Ronilo Celez said.

The management of the piggery has not issued a statement.

However, in a letter sent to the barangay council, they explained that the waste discharge came from an old and unused earthen lagoon or waste pond.

Based on their investigation, a large crack was found in the lagoon, which caused the leakage.

The damage to the lagoon was reportedly caused by continuous heavy rains and recent earthquakes.

Personnel of the piggery have been ordered to repair the damaged structure to prevent similar incident.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) is also set to conduct an inspection at the farm.

Barangay officials assured that the city’s bulk water supply system remains unaffected, as the Davao City Water District’s facilities are located upstream of the river.