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Abstracts

074 ASSESSMENT OF THE EXTENT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF

STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR WATER SAFETY IN
THE PHILIPPINES
Anthony Cinco Sales,1 Ludivina Mercado Porticos,2 Hydie Reyes Maspinas,3
Michael A Casas,4 Porferio R Jabla,5 Ma. Annabelle S Jabla5. 1Department of
Science and Technology Region XI, Davao City, Philippines; 2Science Resource
Center, University of the Immaculate Conception, Davao City, Philippines; 3Davao
City Water District, Davao City, Philippines; 4Chemistry Department, Ateneo de
Davao University, Davao City, Philippines; 5Convergence of Alternative Development
Professionals, Inc., Davao City, Philippines

10.1136/bmjopen-2015-forum2015abstracts.74

Background The Philippine National Standards for Drinking

Water (PNSDW, 2007) stressed the importance of assuring the
quality of drinking water that is delivered to the public.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization recommends appli-
cation of Water Safety Plans (WSPs) as an effective means of
consistently ensuring the safety of a drinking water supply.
Objectives This study assessed the extent of water safety plan-
ning among drinking water providers (DWPs). It also validated
water quality monitoring results of DWPs and assessed compli-
ance with PNSDW 2007.
Methods We purposively selected a total of 183 Levels I, II and
III DWPs from 9 regions. We conducted focus group discussions
(FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs). Additionally, we
surveyed Level III DWPs using WHO WSP toolkit. We collected
249 water samples. The samples were analyzed for thirteen of
the 14 priority parameters for monitoring drinking water
quality. We then compared microbiological, physical and chem-
ical test results against PNSDW 2007 specifications. Laboratory
data were triangulated with FGD-, KII-, and WHO WSP toolkit
survey-derived data.
Result Ninety-two percent of DWPs have no WSPs. Only 5%
implement WSPs. Forty-two percent of the water samples
turned out positive for fecal contamination. Eight percent had
cadmium, lead or arsenic beyond allowable levels. Thirty-two
percent failed in terms of one or more aesthetic parameters.
Conclusion We conclude that the level of development and
implementation of WSPs among DWPs in the Philippines is still
very low. All Level III DWPs have existing water safety sytems
and procedures with varying levels of compliance with PNSDW
2007. Inadequate training and budget aggravate the low level of
awareness about water safety planning among Levels I and II
DWPs. Further, the quality of drinking water in certain areas
does not comply with PNSDW 2007.

BMJ Open 2015;5(Suppl 1):A1–A53 A31

 Downloaded from http://bmjopen.bmj.com/ on August 25, 2017 - Published by group.bmj.com

074: ASSESSMENT OF THE EXTENT OF

IMPLEMENTATION OF STANDARDS AND
PROCEDURES FOR WATER SAFETY IN THE
PHILIPPINES
Anthony Cinco Sales, Ludivina Mercado Porticos, Hydie Reyes Maspinas,
Michael A Casas, Porferio R Jabla and Ma. Annabelle S Jabla

BMJ Open 2015 5:

doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-forum2015abstracts.74

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