Community-Driven Evaluation of E. coli Levels in Domestic-Use Underground Water Sources in Angono, Philippines

Abstract

Objectives. The authors considered the community-based on-site water sampling-surveys case-study in Angono, Rizal, in the Republic of the Philippines. The study was designed to determine whether individual citizens within the community could successfully collaborate in order to develop a method for quantification of E. coli levels in water (especially underground water) for domestic use.

Methods. We used techniques that had been validated in Japan for on-site evaluation of E. coli. These simple techniques enabled the on-site quantification of E. coli levels in multiple water sources, including underground water.

Results. The techniques used in Japan were successfully adopted in the Philippines, and we cooperated with regional medical technicians, scientists, and citizens, in order to develop a system where ultimately, the people in Angono can perform all the tasks related to on-site water quality evaluation. From societal and economic perspectives, we were able to reduce the traditionally high laboratory cost (including testing cost and samples transit cost) of coliform bacteria and E. coli evaluation to a lower, fixed cost level that is affordable for regional health centers and other sites.

Conclusion. The transfer of a simple inspection method technology, under the supervision of an experienced Japanese research team, allowed us to validate the E. coli on-site quantification strategy at a regional level as ”cocreation of science and society”. In addition, beyond technology transfer, our collaborative efforts with scientists, regional medical engineers, and citizens, led to the creation of an NGO (non-governmental organization) that serves citizens in the town of Angono with regard to water quality assessment and certification activities.