After sinkhole, Barili water turns turbid

CEBU, Philippines - Residents of barangay Campangga in Barili town complained that their water from the reservoir might have been contaminated.

Since the occurrence of a sinkhole in Mantayupan River last Tuesday, Anabelle de Jesus said the water coming from their faucets has become turbid.

“Lubog naman ang tubig, di na mainom. Pangkaligo na lang,” she said. (We cannot drink our water because it has become turbid. We only use it for taking a bath.)

Almost 900 households in Campangga get water from a spring or a water reservoir within the vicinity of Mantayupan Falls.

De Jesus said they used to drink water from the spring but its quality has changed after the sinkhole occurred last Tuesday.

Residents suspect that the river water has mixed with the spring water.

“Nagpalit na lang usa mi og mineral water para naa mi’y mainom,” de Jesus said. (We are now using bottled water.)

Her husband, George, said the problem is that not all households are aware of the sinkhole.

“Naa’y uban nga imnon gihapon nila ang tubig gikan sa tubod bisan lubog na. Ang kuyaw ani, basin naa’y masakit pila ka semana gikan karon,” George said. (Others still drink the turbid water. I’m worried that they might get sick.)

He said that they have informed the local officials about the problem and requested that the water be tested for possible contamination.

They also urged the the local government to find a solution to the problem, if indeed the sinkhole, which is draining off river water, caused contamination in their water source.

Vice Mayor Marlon Garcia explained that before the occurrence of the sinkhole, water from Barangay Campangga was no longer safe for drinking as residents have used the water sourced in washing their clothes and taking a bath.

There is also a mud pit for carabaos.

 Garcia has instructed Johnfel Paras, one of the councilors of the said barangay, to tell all the residents to stop drinking the water.

“Ako na gyud ni silang giingnan nga mag-antos usa sa pagpalit og mineral water kanang ginalon, so that they could get rid of the different diseases that they will get from the contaminated water,” he said.

The local government of Barili temporarily diverted the flow of the river to a manmade canal.

The portion of the river where a sinkhole occurred was blocked with sacks of sand and gravel to divert the water to the canal.

However, only 70 percent of the water flows downstream. The rest still goes to the sinkhole.

The excavation to divert the water is not completed yet. Works will resume today.

Residents said that those working to make a canal stopped last Saturday after they felt a slight movement underground.

Curious residents everyday flock the area to check on the sinkhole.

They said that the hole seems to be growing bigger each day. — (FREEMAN)