DOH to public: ‘Don’t just rely on water filters’

National

USING water filtration devices to ensure safe drinking water is not enough, the Department of Health (DOH) warned.

The agency recommended pretreating raw water containing debris, organic matter and suspended solids to prevent filtration systems from getting clogged and ensure their effectiveness.

The DOH issued the reminder as the country prepares for the effects of the looming super El Niño.

“Pretreatment can be undertaken if the raw water is highly contaminated and has debris, organic matter and suspended solids to prevent the filters from getting clogged,” Health Assistant Secretary Tagumpay Maniquis said in a Philstar report.

A filter’s ability to remove contaminants depends on its size. Filters with a 0.1-micron capacity cannot remove contaminants smaller than that measurement, Maniquis said.

Boiling the water or using disinfectant to deactivate viruses or bacteria less than 0.1 micron were recommended.

“What is commonly used for disinfection is a chlorine tablet,” Maniquis said.

Fzor proper use of chlorine tablets, the DOH advised the public to coordinate with their local health offices.

When using water filtration systems to improve drinking water quality, the public must check if the devices are registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maniquis said.

“It should have undergone registration and been issued a certificate of health-related device registration,” Maniquis said.

The registration status of water filters and other treatment devices can be verified through the FDA’s online portal at https://verification.fda.gov.ph.(MyTVCebu)