Itogon drinking water poisoned by sewer line

By Glo Abaeo Tuazon

ITOGON, Benguet -- Officials and residents of Barangay Gumatdang here claimed their water source was being contaminated by a drainage sewer line diverted from Happy Hallow in Baguio City.

Gumatdang kagawad Romeo Gonzales and colleagues said along the high ridge where the two barangays meet is a drainage system constructed by Happy Hallow that falls directly to a gully down to where the water reservoir of Gumatdang is located.

For generations this reservoir has reportedly served as water source for Gumatdang and local folk never had any problem with it unitl some years ago with the construction of the drainage.

Gumatdang officials had for a number of times complained to the officials of Happy Hallow, to contruct a culvert to contain the flow and redirect it but said their grievances fell on deaf ears.

“It is not just rain water falling into the gully, garbage also goes down when the heavy rains come,” said Gonzales. “The clean water we used to drink must be boiled now. The dangers of illnesses borne by the water are our foremost concern.”

Garbage piling up in Gumatdang reportedly also emanated from the water spill of Happy Hallow.

The topsoil in the area was also washed down prompting Gumatdang folk to call the attention of proper authorities to no avail.