DRR- Follow-up Team Mission Report – February 2017

Central Luzon, the

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Document title DRR team Central Luzon Follow-up Mission Report Status Draft Date 28 February 2017 Project name Arsenic Contamination in Central Luzon, the Philippines

Drafted by Branislav Petrusevski, Theo Kleinendorst, Ferdi Battes & Rudolf Muijtjens Checked by Rudolf Muijtjens, DOH

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Table of Contents 1 Introduction ...... 4 2. Short course in Water Quality...... 7 3. Additional groundwater sampling ...... 11 3.1 Location of sampling ...... 11 3.2 Data management ...... 12 3.3 Groundwater Quality Assessment ...... 13 4. Ground water quality analyses ...... 16 4.1 Assessment of selected laboratories in Philippines ...... 16 4.2 Assessment of Arsenator arsenic test kit ...... 17 4.2 Pilot plant for water treatment testing...... 19 5. Conclusions and update of Work Plan ...... 20

Annex I – List of short course participants ...... 24 Annex II – Questionnaires filled by 2 selected laboratories in Philippines ...... 25

book II – lecture notes

1) Introduction to Ground Water Supply and treatment By Rudolf Muijtjens – Project Manager with Royal HaskoningDHV Philippines

2) Introduction to Groundwater as source for drinking water production Branislav Petrusevski – Associated Professor UNESCO-IHE

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1 Introduction

In August 2014, the Department of Health Regional Office 3 (RO3) was informed about the first case of arsenicosis (poisoning by arsenic), in , province. Data validation from five barangays in the same city showed 215 residents had consulted with similar dermatological symptoms between 2010 and 2014. This started a large health monitoring and water quality monitoring program in and near Lubao. Arsenic concentration in many samples was found to be above the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water for arsenic [> 10 µg/l]. A deep well with a very high Arsenic concentration was decommissioned. A small reverse osmosis plant (later replaced by an adsorption filter unit) was installed in one area. To date, 93 patients were admitted to the Hospital for diagnostic follow-up and dermatological management.

Work on the arsenic contamination had been a collaborative activity among the Department of Health, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Environment and Natural Resources - -National Water Resources Board, University of the Philippines National Poison Management and Control Center, Local Waterworks and Utilities Administration, and the concerned Local Government Units. WHO provided technical support through 2-week visits by 2 consultants in the period 10-20th May 2015.

Bilateral relations between the Netherlands and the Philippines are strong and marked by close cooperation in a variety of areas, economic being a major one. The Netherlands Embassy in Manila has identified water management as one of its sector priorities and has been promoting and supporting Dutch interest in the Philippines in this area. There are complementarity the DRR-Team activities taking place in Tacloban, where a coastal defense master plan is going to be developed in collaboration with the PRA and the DRR-Team activities taking place in the development of a Manila Bay master plan in collaboration with the NEDA.

The DRR-team visited stakeholders in Manila, collected data and analyzed data prior to the field trip to the affected area in the period 12-14 October 2015, namely the area south and southwest of Pinatubo: Lubao, Porac, and Clark.

On November 9 th a workshop took place in Den Haag, the Netherlands where firms with a particular interest in arsenic contamination were invited. The minutes of meeting of this brainstorm session is added in Annex B of the main report.

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Summary of Findings of the first mission (October 2015) The following was observed (headlines): • Arsenic is widely present in the visited area. Many arsenic values in drinking water samples are close to the standard or slightly above the standard of 10 µg/l. The problem, however, seems to concentrate on the city of Lubao (150,000 population) and in particular certain areas in Lubao, with values that very locally peak up to 300 µg/l; • These very high values are possibly be attributed to a combination of natural and man- made components (e.g. industry, deep wells); • There was a serious difference between the arsenic concentration as measured by Unesco- IHE and the 3 local labs (Unesco-IHE measured significantly higher values in several sample). This may indicate that arsenic concentrations could be higher than currently reported, and that some of local labs apply analytical methods that are not appropriate for low arsenic concentrations of relevance for public health; • The 18 soil samples didn’t show any alarming arsenic levels in specific areas tested, except the sample taken at the paper mill. Also a (1 no.) rice sample didn’t show any significant arsenic presence; • Data sampling is still too limited in the number of parameters analyzed, and regional spread, and a good database is lacking; • The RO plant was out of operation. The treatment results were apparently initially good but the operation too expensive (electricity, membranes); • Arsenic concentration is higher in the uncontrolled shallow hand wells compared to LWD owned deep wells; • The operation of the Lubao water supply company is not optimal. Half the population uses the shallow wells with hand pumps (with higher Arsenic concentration).

In August 2016 an extension of the project was agreed upon results presented in this report. Some initial delays occurred on both sides resulting in a 3 month delay of the follow-up short mission.

The final mission consisted of Mr Rudolf Muijtjens (Royal HaskoningDHV, Water Supply expert), Associate Professor Branislav Petrusevski (IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education, water quality and treatment expert), Mr Theo Kleinendorst (ACACIA WATER, ground water expert) and Ferdi Battes (UNESCO-IHE, Lab expert) from 19 to 24 February 2017.

The mission covered the following fields:

2. Short course in Water Quality

3. Additional groundwater sampling including

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3.1 Groundwater sampling at different locations

3.2 Data management

3.3 Groundwater Quality Assessment

4. Ground water quality analyses

4.1 Assessment of selected laboratories in Philippines

4.2 Assessment of Arsenator test kit.

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2. Short course in Water Quality

Based on recommendation that emerged from the DRR short mission in October 2015, a short course: “Groundwater use for drinking water production: Water quality assessment and treatment” was given February 20 to 23, 2017. The short course took place in the Hotel Stotsenberg, in the Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, and was attended by 31 participants coming from the Philippines Department of Health (DoH), Lubao Water District, Clark Development Corporation, representatives from several laboratories and local water authorities. List of the short course participant is given in the Annex I.

The short course programme consisted of two parts. In the first part Rudolf Muijtjens provided an introduction lecture on water supply concept, together with examples of Royal HaskoningDHV projects in the Philippines. This was followed by an introductory lecture on to groundwater quality and use for drinking water treatment given by Branislav Petrusevski. Further on, he gave lectures on groundwater treatment, with focused on the removal of most common groundwater impurities including iron, manganese, ammonia and arsenic.

The second part of the short course addressed analytical techniques for analyses of common groundwater parameters including iron, manganese, ammonia, arsenic, phosphate and TOC / DOC (total organic carbon/dissolved organic carbon) analyses, and was given by Ferdi Battes. In addition to lectures, laboratory workshop was provided, that included demonstration of field test kits for arsenic and iron analyses. During the laboratory session, samples collected during the field campaign (see paragraph 2) were analysed jointly by DRR staff and the short course participants. Given the high relevance for the arsenic removal in Philippines, an additional lecture and demonstration on the analytical technique for arsenic speciation was given, and related literature provided to the short course participants. In the both parts of the short course (groundwater treatment and water quality analyses) relevance of ammonia, which is at present not commonly analysed in Philippines, was introduced and discussed.

The programme of the short course is given in Fig. 3.

The short course provided plenty of opportunities for discussion and answers of the course participant’s questions. Lecturing materials of the short course, in the form of pdf files of the presentations, were sent to DoH directly after the short course, together with files of supporting scientific publication on arsenic speciation. Pdf files of given lectures are also attached to this report (Annex III).

Ms. Leontina P. Gorgon, the director of the DOH-RO3, also attended selected lectures and contributed to discussions (Fig. 1). Strong interest was expressed in the capabilities and practises of the Dutch water sector, and specifically potential of the Dutch arsenic removal technology to help addressing challenges in Philippines, including possible demonstration follow-up projects.

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Fig. 1. Ms Leontina P. Gorgodon addressing the course participants and the course panel.

Figures 2, 4 & 5 show selected photos taken during the short course.

Figure 2. Lectures of DRR team

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Figure 3. Programme of the short course: Groundwater use for drinking water production

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Figure 4. Participants of the short course: Groundwater use for drinking water production, Clark, February 20-23, 2017

Figure 5.Demonstration of the Arsenator test kit and arsenic speciation procedure

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3. Additional groundwater sampling 3.1 Location of sampling DOH has selected locations for water sampling in municipalities of Guagua, Lubao, Floridablanca and Dinalupihan, and selected locations that showed elevated As concentrations during previous sampling rounds. The results are summarized in Table 1 and Fig. 6.

Table 1 Summary of analyses on Arsenic 2015-2016

As < 10 ppb Maximum Municipality Samples Number Percentage As (ppb) Guagua 82 35 43% 34 Lubao 36 34 94% 17 Floridablanca 44 27 61% 208 Dinalupihan 28 28 100% <2

Figure 6 Locations of water samples (2015-2017)

Twenty samples were collected from these municipalities during our field visits and analysed during the training sessions with Arsenator field kits. Duplicates were send to NRL and CRL labs. The results of the analyses are presented in Tables 2, 3 ,4, 6 & 7.

Recent analyses deviate slightly from previous data, but the general trend does not change. High arsenic concentrations were confirmed by the new set of analyses.

To obtain more insight into the geographical distribution of the As concentrations around Mt Pinatubo, it is essential to analyse samples from a larger area, covering not only Pampanga, but also , and . DOH has indicated that selected water samples will be collected from

Page 11 - DRR follow up missions Central Luzon, the Phillippines all municipalities in these four provinces. Analysis will be done by DOH (Arsenator test kits), CRL and NRL.

During the first mission it was suggested that there could be a relation between the elevated As levels and the presence of lahars caused by the eruption of Mt Pinatubo in 1991. To verify this, seven samples were collected West and North East of Mt Pinatubo (San Marcellino, Botolan, Capas, and Conception), and analysed with the Arsenator during the workshop. None of these seven samples showed arsenic concentrations above permissible limits.

3.2 Data management The research division of LWUA maintains a database with details about LWUA water points. The database can be accessed at http://122.54.214.222/databank/ . This is an important source of information, but all water points do not have GPS coordinates, and water quality data is unfortunately not available on this site. Results of the water quality analyses carried out by NLR or CLR are sent to DOH, and are kept in file at the regional office. The coordinates and technical information about the water points are usually kept in a different file and different location and may not be available at all. This makes it very difficult to compare and analyse information from different areas and different sampling campaigns.

The results of the water quality analyses carried out by the Water Districts remain within the Water Districts Office and are sent to the Research Division of LWUA upon request.

The above situation makes it very hard to link lab reports to existing water points and relate the occurrence of water borne diseases to prevalent drinking water quality and water distribution system. It is recommended that a data system is introduced that links all four components

- Water points - Water quality - Public Health Status - Water distribution

Use of smartphone as survey tool

Smartphones can be very useful to collect and link the required information. As an example, during the mission we have introduced the use of smartphone technology in water sampling. The GPS coordinates, date, time and a photograph are recorded by the smartphone, as well as salient information about the sampling location itself (depth, type of water point, owner etc..). Existing data from the LWUA research database can be made available in the smartphone app. Moreover, information from DOH (e.g. health surveys) can also be linked. Based on its current geographic location, the phone can show the water points in the vicinity, water quality, and distribution network and health status.

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Figure 7: Screenshots of sample smartphone app for water sampling and health surveys

3.3 Groundwater Quality Assessment As indicated earlier in this task, 20 samples of groundwater were collected on February 21, 2017 by 2 teams consisting of DoH and DRR members. Samplers were collected in municipalities of Guagua, Lubao, Floridablanca and Dinalupihan. Arsenic and iron concentrations of these samples were analysed with test kits during the short course workshop. In addition to analyses with test kits, detailed analyses of extended number of water quality parameters were done at the Unesco-IHE laboratory in Delft. Additional analyses included 20 heavy metals that were analysed by ICP-MS, arsenic that was analysed with AAS-GF. In addition ammonia and phosphate were analysed by LCK 304 and LCK 349 test kits. Concentration of metals analysed is shown in Tables 2 & 3.

Table 2. The first set of metal concentrations in 20 groundwater samples measured by ICP-MS measured by the laboratory of IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education

Sample Analaysed parameter Sample location No. Na (mg/L) Mg (mg/L) Al (µg/L) K (mg/L) Ca (mg/L) Ti (µg/L) V (µg/L) Cr (µg/L) Mn (µg/L) Fe (µg/L)

1 Anon ps 21.62 13.09 38.7 3.73 27.9 23.2 11.6 < 1 312 17.5

2 Sr1 83.10 5.57 9.5 3.95 11.7 24.2 2.2 < 1 197 88.6

3 Kulubasa 23.54 12.64 8.2 4.88 21.9 23.9 < 1 < 1 575 493

4 shallow1 47.86 21.02 46.8 11.88 39.1 21.3 42.8 1.3 514 426

5 Margareth school 25.06 11.98 8.4 4.67 26.3 21.6 2.2 < 1 952 5340

6 Tocop 77.33 7.54 7.0 3.46 16.6 23.1 < 1 < 1 241 3220

7 Berly cskms 27.87 12.98 5.7 1.95 21.9 23.9 32.7 1.3 28.4 101

8 ps Tucop 39.15 16.86 3.5 4.79 22.3 25.8 30.1 < 1 12.1 31.5

9 Fortuna 15.83 8.72 7.5 2.58 18.4 23.9 31.5 < 1 152 48.4

10 Icecubefactory 15.95 8.71 15.0 2.58 18.4 23.9 31.5 1.1 166 228

11 PS 13 Sta Clara 67.90 2.96 8.4 3.65 11.1 17.3 < 1 < 1 128 317

12 PS 6 San Miguel 75.84 3.06 5.9 4.20 11.3 17.8 < 1 < 1 115 27.9

13 PS 17 San Mattias 66.15 1.30 9.5 3.66 5.9 22.3 < 1 < 1 38.9 39.7

14 Guagua Liza Residence 66.82 5.08 8.2 6.38 18.2 15.6 1.1 < 1 148 19.6

15 Lubao Guimi San Jose 70.20 3.84 4.8 4.12 9.7 22.7 1.3 < 1 138 170

16 Sta Cruz Lubao 130.8 10.65 4.7 10.19 15.6 23.1 3.5 < 1 320 10.2

17 Lancbao Felix Paule 56.96 24.20 6.1 4.81 66.9 18.6 42.6 < 1 4470 40.6

18 Lourdes 90.47 18.55 112 18.31 21.1 24.6 1.1 < 1 409 317

19 San Roque Arbol 142.8 36.90 5.7 9.53 61.8 23.2 2.8 < 1 4110 3110 20 Sta Cruz Lubao 103.3 50.23 10.0 21.27 41.8 23.0 2.00 < 1 1370 337

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Note: Values for calcium given in Table 2 are approximations; for accurate values, a re-measurement of diluted samples is required. Since calcium is not of direct health relevance (there is no health based guideline value) re-measurements of diluted samples were not performed.

Arsenic, ammonia and phosphate concentrations are given in Table 4.

Results shown in Tables 2, 4, 6 & 7 confirm observations made during the first DRR team short mission that ground water quality in the study area is often characterised by elevated arsenic, iron and manganese concentrations. Arsenic levels exceeding the health-based standard of 10 µg/L at 8 out of 20 locations. In addition, arsenic concentrations were found to be close to the critical concentration of 10 µg/ at 3 additional locations with concentrations between 7 and 9 µg/L.

Manganese concentrations in ground water were found to be from slightly elevated to extremely high at 18 out of 20 locations. Manganese concentrations at 7 testing sites were found to be very high (0.41 - 4.11 mg/L), and of direct health relevance, while at other locations, manganese presence will give serious aesthetic, and operational problems to water supply companies and their consumers.

Table 3. The second set of metal concentrations in 20 groundwater samples measured by ICP-MS measured by the laboratory of IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education.

Sample Analysed parameter Sample location No. Co (µg/L) Ni (µg/L) Cu (µg/L) Zn (µg/L) Sr (µg/L) Cd (µg/L) Ba (µg/L) Tl (µg/L) Pb (µg/L)

1 Anon ps < 1 < 1 < 1 27.0 214 < 1 13.0 < 1 < 1

2 Sr1 < 1 < 1 < 1 267 96.4 < 1 23.6 < 1 < 1

3 Kulubasa < 1 < 1 < 1 3.6 214 < 1 53.9 < 1 < 1

4 shallow1 1.1 2.4 1.4 43.6 336 < 1 193 < 1 < 1

5 Margareth school < 1 < 1 < 1 7.2 219 < 1 195 < 1 < 1

6 Tocop < 1 < 1 < 1 592 126 < 1 115 < 1 < 1

7 Berly cskms < 1 < 1 < 1 2.8 210 < 1 47.6 < 1 < 1

8 ps Tucop < 1 < 1 < 1 15.6 205 < 1 3.7 < 1 < 1

9 Fortuna < 1 < 1 < 1 20.0 131 < 1 9.6 < 1 < 1

10 Icecubefactory < 1 < 1 2.7 19.0 131 < 1 9.1 < 1 < 1

11 PS 13 Sta Clara < 1 < 1 14.6 14.0 65.8 < 1 34.7 < 1 1.3

12 PS 6 San Miguel < 1 < 1 < 1 1.4 77.7 < 1 37.5 < 1 < 1

13 PS 17 San Mattias < 1 < 1 < 1 1.8 23.8 < 1 10.6 < 1 < 1

14 Guagua Liza Residence < 1 < 1 3.3 18.9 131 < 1 15.9 < 1 < 1

15 Lubao Guimi San Jose < 1 < 1 < 1 4.3 57.4 < 1 29.7 < 1 < 1

16 Sta Cruz Lubao < 1 < 1 < 1 1.7 137 < 1 71.7 < 1 < 1

17 Lancbao Felix Paule 2.2 2.8 < 1 2.1 657 < 1 98.1 < 1 < 1

18 Lourdes < 1 < 1 1.2 2220 208 < 1 84.4 < 1 < 1

19 San Roque Arbol < 1 < 1 < 1 6.6 584 < 1 211 < 1 < 1 20 Sta Cruz Lubao < 1 < 1 < 1 21.4 486 < 1 237 < 1 < 1

At present the main focus of groundwater quality assessment is on arsenic, given its strong adverse effect on human health due to chronic exposure even to very low arsenic concentration in drinking water. Removal of manganese from groundwater should, however, also receive significant attention, given its wide presence at high to very high concentrations, and associated health, aesthetic and operational problems.

Iron concentrations above 0.3 mg/L were detected at 7 locations. At concentrations above 0.3 mg/L, presence of iron introduced several aesthetic problems and increases operational costs of water authorities (distribution maintenance).

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Table 4. Concentration of arsenic, ammonia and phosphate in 20 field groundwater samples measured by the laboratory of IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education

Parameter Sample Sample location No. As (µg/L) NH 4-N (mg/L) PO 4-P (mg/L)

1 Anon ps 6 0.10 0.34

2 Sr1 160 0.06 0.42

3 Kulubasa 11 0.46 0.56

4 shallow1 3 < 0.02 0.87

5 Margareth school < 2 0.10 0.09

6 Tocop 4 0.14 0.39

7 Berly cskms 3 0.02 0.15

8 ps Tucop 14 < 0.02 0.15

9 Fortuna 8 < 0.02 0.14

10 Icecubefactory 9 < 0.02 0.19

11 PS 13 Sta Clara 16 0.38 0.22

12 PS 6 San Miguel 17 0.41 0.23

13 PS 17 San Mattias 16 < 0.02 0.21

14 Guagua Liza Residence 3 0.45 0.10

15 Lubao Guimi San Jose 14 0.03 0.29

16 Sta Cruz Lubao 7 0.05 0.24

17 Lancbao Felix Paule < 2 0.02 0.29

18 Lourdes 145 3.31 0.57

19 San Roque Arbol 4 0.94 0.66 20 Sta Cruz Lubao 3 0.05 0.10 Other analysed metals were found to be present at concentration that are at present not of health relevance, and will not impose direct aesthetic and operational problems.

At six out of 20 locations presence of ammonia at elevated concentrations was found. At only one site namely the hand pump Lourdes, next to the paper mill factory wall very high ammonia concentration was found (3.3 mg/L). At this site also very high concentration of arsenic (145 µg/L) and elevated phosphate (0.54 mg P/L) were found. These results strongly suggest that the paper mill factory has been introducing a significant pollution to groundwater. At other 5 locations, the ammonia concentrations were found to be <1 mg/L. Ammonia concentration is not regularly monitored in Philippines, while information on presence and concentration of this compound is very important to allow establishing of an appropriate groundwater treatment strategy.

Similar to ammonia, phosphate presence in groundwater is not routinely analysed in Philippines. Screening analyses for 20 testing sites snow that phosphate is often present, with occasionally very high concentration. Presence of phosphate will have strong effect on arsenic removal with most of commonly applied technologies.

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4. Ground water quality analyses 4.1 Assessment of selected laboratories in Philippines

During the initial short mission of the DRR team to Philippines in October 2015 it was recognized that some of local laboratories had a limited capabilities to accurately measure arsenic and a number of other relevant groundwater quality parameters at low concentrations of relevance for drinking water production. It was recognized that methodologies applied by some of local laboratories, were not appropriate for very low concentrations of e.g. arsenic that are of health relevance. An additional project activity of the DRR team was, consequently, to assess capabilities of two selected laboratories in Philippines, specifically related to analyses of parameters of relevance for groundwater use, with focus on arsenic, iron and manganese.

Two laboratories were selected for the assessment:

- The National Reference Laboratory, and - CRL Environmental Corporation.

The assessment was based on: - a questioner on methods and procedures applied; the questioner was established by the DRR team and filled by two selected laboratories, - visit to 2 selected laboratories by the DRR team and discussion with the laboratory staff - analyses of standard water samples (parameters included were arsenic, both arsenate and arsenite, iron and manganese, by 2 selected laboratories, and, - analyses of 20 groundwater samples, collected jointly by DRR and DoH field visit (see paragraph 3), by 2 selected laboratories and the UNESCO-IHE laboratory .

Data collected from the questioner have shown that both laboratories at present apply different analytical procedures and methods for analyses of considered water quality parameters. Both approaches are however appropriate to accurately measure targeted metals at required low concentrations. In discussion with one of laboratories it was understood that new more stringent national drinking water quality regulations from 2016 supported the need to upgrade previously used analytical techniques and methods. Questionnaires filed by 2 selected laboratories are presented in Annex II.

Both labs are currently compliant with ISO 17025 standards for the measurements of metals (As, Fe, Mn). CRL measures arsenic with gaseous hydride AAS, and iron and manganese with AAS with flame. NRL measures arsenic with AAS-GF, while iron and manganese are also measured with AAS with flame. Calibration is performed using a five point calibration, with the both internal and external control standards. At least once a year, an inter-laboratory test is performed. All of these characteristics are part of the ISO certification and accreditation.

Visit to laboratories have shown that the available facilities and methods applied are appropriate for performing the necessary ground water quality analyses for the required concentration ranges. Laboratory staff seems to be well informed about procedures and the equipment used.

Field samples that are analysed by these two laboratories are either be taken by CRL or NRL personnel or by external samplers and then brought to a laboratory. CRL or NRL personnel, make use of pre-acidified sampling containers. For external sampling this is not the case, and samples are

Page 16 - DRR follow up missions Central Luzon, the Phillippines acidified in the laboratory. In case of particulate matter present in e.g. surface water, this could lead to a bias. However, for ground- and tap water samples, particulate matter is expectedly non- existent. Field samples with precipitates should first be digested before measurement (if necessary, samples need to be filtered on-site during sampling).

To allow further quality assessment with focus on the accuracy of the 2 selected laboratories 19 standard water samples were prepared with different concentrations of arsenic (both in the form of arsenate and arenite), iron and manganese. Both CRL and NRL provided their results that are shown in Table 5. Results received from both laboratories show good results for all analysed parameters namely arsenic, iron and manganese, with measured concentrations very close to actual concentrations present in the samples.

Table 5. Results of control samples analyses By NRL and CRL

Control NRL CRL As spec. sample As (µg/L) Fe (mg/L) Mn (mg/L) As (µg/L) Fe (mg/L) Mn (mg/L) As (µg/L) Fe (mg/L) Mn (mg/L)

III C1 10 - - 11 - - 8 - - III C2 100 - - 100 - - 90 - - V C3 10 - - 12 - - 10 - - V C4 100 - - 110 - - 100 - - III C5 5 0.5 - 5.9 0.53 - 7 0.5 - III C6 10 0.5 - 11 0.55 - 10 0.5 - III C7 20 0.5 - 20 0.55 - 20 0.5 - V C8 5 0.5 - 6.3 0.4 - 8 0.5 - V C9 10 0.5 - 12 0.43 - 20 0.5 - V C10 20 0.5 - 22 0.45 - 20 0.5 - III C11 5 1 - 6 0.91 - 6 0.9 - III C12 10 1 - 11 0.92 - 10 0.9 - III C13 20 1 - 20 0.93 - 20 0.9 - V C14 5 1 - 6.3 0.91 - 8 0.9 - V C15 10 1 - 12 0.93 - 7 0.9 - V C16 20 1 - 23 0.94 - 20 0.9 - C17 - - 0.1 - - 0.099 - - 0.08 C18 - - 0.5 - - 0.45 - - 0.4 C19 - - 1.5 - - 1.3 - - 1.1

Till the time of this report drafting, results of arsenic analyses of 20 field ground water samples were obtained only from the National Reference Laboratory. These result together with results of analyses conducted at the Unesco-IHE laboratory in Delft are shown in Table 6.

Results shown in Table 6 show very good agreement between values measured by 2 laboratories.

4.2 Assessment of Arsenator arsenic test kit

During the laboratory workshop a part of the conducted short course, arsenic concentration in 19 field groundwater samplers was measured with 3 Arsenator unit: 2 new ones, recently purchased by DoH, and one that DRR team brought. Results of these measurements, together with analyses of the Unesco-IHE laboratory with AAS-GF are shown in Table 7. A number of observation can be made and conclusions can be drawn from results obtained.

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Table 6. Arsenic concentration in field groundwater samples measured by NRL and U-IHE laboratories. U-IHE NRL CRL Field Sample number Location As (µg/L) As (µg/L) As (µg/L)

1 Anon PS, Tap 6 6.1 2 SR 1, handpump 160 200 3 Kulubasa, handpump 11 13 4 Shallow 1, handpump 3 2.4 5 Margareth school, motorpump < 2 2.5 6 Tocop, handpump 4 5.2 7 Berly cskms, handpump 3 3 8 PS Tucop, pumping station 14 13 9 Fortuna, pumping station 8 8.6 10 Ice cube factory, filling station 9 12 11 Guagua, Santa Clara, pumping station #13 16 18 12 Guagua, San Miguel, pumping station #6 17 17 13 Guagua, San Matias, pumping station #17 16 15 14 Guagua, Liza Lapira Residence, San Matias 23 3 4.1 15 Lubao, San Jose, Gumi 14 16 16 Lubao, Santa Cruz pumping station 7 9.4 17 Lubao, Felix Paule automotive workshop < 2 < 2 18 Lubao, Lourdes, near paper mill 145 170 19 Lubao, Santa Cruz, Irrigation field, near bypass road 4 5.5 20 Lubao, Santa Cruz, pumping station, near bypass road 3 3.4

Obtained results show practically identical values obtained by 2 new Arsenator. Arsenic concentrations of the same samples analysed by the 3 rd Arsenator (from U-IHE) are consistently somewhat higher in comparison to values obtained with 2 new Arsenator. The U-IHE Arsenator is 6 years old, and was very intensively used on different field project, suggesting that some additional control or re-calibration could be required after prolonged and intensive use of this test kit.

Comparison of arsenic concentration in field samples during the workshop with the values measured by Unesco-IHE laboratory with standard laboratory technique (AAS-GF) showed that for most of the analysed samples, Arsenator provides a useful indication of the real arsenic concentration. For a number of samples a significant difference was observed between values measured by Arsenator and AAS-GF. These differences could be possibly attributed to wrong labelling of mixing of samples during the workshop (large number of samples was analysed in relatively short period of time by several workshop participants and DDR team member).

It may be concluded that arsenic measurements by the Arsenator test kit are very easy to perform and can provide a useful indication of arsenic concentration in a ground water or treated water samples. Arsenator cab be a rather suitable toll for screening of possible arsenic presence in groundwater wells, and also can be seen as an easy, fast and relatively cheap method to monitor daily performance of arsenic removal treatment plants.

Analyses with Arsenator cannot replace standard laboratory analyses of arsenic that should be conducted to assure that arsenic concentration is within acceptable concentration range. Laboratory

Page 18 - DRR follow up missions Central Luzon, the Phillippines arsenic analyses are also strongly advisable when arsenic concentrations measured by Arsenator are close to, or somewhat above the maximal acceptable concentration of 10 µg/L (e.g. within the range 5-15 µg/L).

Table 7. Arsenic concentration in field samples measured with 3 Arsenator sets and laboratory analyses with AAS-GF Depth(m) (µg/L) Sample Ars -1 (U-IHE) Ars - 2 (DoH) Ars - 3 (DoH) Average AAS-GF Model water IHE 79 68 67 71 Model water IHE + IEX Filt 0 0 0 0

1 Anon PS PS ? 2 0 0 1 6 2 SR 1 Santo Rosario Hand pump 55 >100 (200-300) >100 (200-300) >100 (200-300) >100 160 SR 1 Santo Rosario 10 dilution 320 250 250 273 3 Kulubusa Hand pump 36 28 24 23 25 11 4 Shallow Santa Rosario - Hand pump 12 3 0 0 1 3 5 Margareth school Dinalupohan Hand pump 164 13 13 12 13 <2 6 Topcot Dinalupihan Hand pump 42 14 11 10 12 4 7 Berly Cskms in Dilu Hand pump 6 2 0 0 1 3 8 PS Tucop, in Tupcot PS ? 20 13 14 16 14 9 PS Fortuna, Florida Blanka PS ? 16 12 12 13 8 10 Ice cube factory - Florida Blanka ? 18 13 13 15 9 11 PS 13 Sta Clara (120 ft) PS 64 20 15 16 17 16 12 PS 6 San Miguel PS 180 16 13 12 14 17 13 PS 17 San Mattias PS 210 21 16 17 18 16 14 Guagua Liza Residence Private well 85 0 0 0 0 3 15 Lubao Guimi San Jose PS 154 26 20 20 22 14 16 St Cruz Lubao PS 183 22 18 19 20 7 17 Lancbao Felix Paule Hand pump 18 7 6 8 7 <2 18 Lourdes HP at paper will factory wall Hand pump 18 >100 (200-300) >100 (200-300) >100 (200-300) >100 (200-300) 18 Lourdes HP at paper will factory wall - 10 times dilutuion Hand pump 360 270 270 300 145 19 San Roque Arbol Irrigation pump 6 3 0 0 1 4 20 Santa Cruz Lubao PS 142 3 0 0 1 3

A Tap in Capas RHU1 Tap / WS system ? 10 7 7 8 B Hand pump in Conception Hand / WS system ? 0 0 0 0 C Tap Bgy San Jose in San Lorenzo Tap / WS system ? 0 0 0 0 D Hand pump San Marcelino - Rabanas Hand pump 12 0 0 0 0 E PS Rabanas - San Marcelino PS 91 2 0 0 1 F Hand pump Hydro Joe in Botolan Hand pump 18 0 0 0 0 G Hand pump Beach house Botolan, Porac Beach House Hand pump9 0 0 0 0

4.2 Pilot plant for water treatment testing

A pilot plant for water treatment technology is present at the LWUA premises. The plant was built some 10 years ago and actually never put to use. The equipment is complete but the system will need a serious overhaul and will have to be adjusted.

Figure 8: Pilot Plant for water treatment at LWUA

The plant consists of a tank, pumps, a flocculation tank, settling tank, absorbtion tank, sandfilter, chemical dosing, and all pipework and PLC control.

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5. Conclusions and update of Work Plan

The following conclusions can be drawn:

Summary of findings of the second mission

i. High concentrations of As are now also found in Guagua; the problem is more wide spread and also the concentrations are higher than initially measured. At least 400,000 people are exposed, and probable more (additional groundwater monitoring has to be conducted);

ii. Ground water abstracted by the hand pump at Lourdes, next to the paper mill factory wall, is characterised by high to extremely high arsenic, ammonia and phosphate concentration. This hand pump should be consequently closed. These results also strongly suggest that the paper mill factory has been introducing a significant pollution to ground water.

iii. Also deep wells show high concentrations of As. It was previously assumed that water in deep wells has a better quality but that is not the case. Hence, drilling deeper wells is not going to solve the problem. In addition to treatment of arsenic contaminated groundwater, it is recommended to study also option based on the use of surface water including pipeline transport to Lubao and Guagua;

iv. The quality of the two labs (CRL and NRL) with respect to arsenic analyses based on standard samples, and field groundwater samples (in the case of NRL) is very good and can be considered as reliable (Note: CRL did not provided results of arsenic analyses of field groundwater samples); Identical conclusion can be also made for analyses of iron and manganese;

• Two Arsenator test kits were procured by DOH (just delivered during the short course), and the training on its use was provided by the DRR team. The DRR team also brought an Arsenator test kit to do the field testing;

• Arsenic analyses with the Arsenator can provide a useful indication of arsenic concentration in ground- or treated water. Arsenator is useful a tool to screen arsenic presence in a wide area; Standard laboratory arsenic analyses are however strongly recommended to accurately verify arsenic concentration, specifically in the cases when arsenic concentrations

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measured by Arsenator are close to, or slightly above the maximal acceptable concentration of 10 µg/L;

• At the LWUA premises a scaled water treatment plant is located. The plant is dysfunctional but can be refurbished and can be used for testing arsenic removal by different water treatment technologies

• Data management can still be improved, as the water quality data should be coupled to health data, water quality, water distribution and location. Smartphone based-software is recommended to organize the field testing • Besides Arsenic, also Manganese and Ammonia show high values, exceeding the standards. The presence of these components also has to be reduced in order to provide safe drinking water, and avoid or minimize operational and aesthetic problems;

• As the problem is now more clear we recommend a strategic study that should compare options based on (a) groundwater treatment (removal of arsenic, manganese, ammonia, and iron), and (b) a possible alternative bulk water supply from a surface water source to be identified. The latter can be realized by the private sector. In addition some 200,000 people have to be connected to the pipe system. This will have to be financed by LWUA/Water Districts. The costs are very roughly (based on costs in similar projects) some 1.5 billion Peso for the distribution pipe network, and some 1.5 billion Peso for the bulk water transport (including water treatment).

The updated work plan is presented below

Summary of suggested follow-up activities

Item Recommendation 2016 Cost estimate Outcome Status April 2017 Wide spread water quality 30,000 euro plus Much better insight in DOH has procured an Arsenator sampling program with local manpower the footprint of the test kit. Staff has been trained by field test kits and smart to be provided problem area, and UNESCO-IHE, tests have been Further screening of phones my DOH better insight in the compared with lab data so DOH is the problem area Medical screening in a Action DOH arsenic concentration now well equipped to do large scale wider area , also in a wide area, and sampling considering early identification of hot symptoms spots Areas east, north and west of Pinatubo are still to be tested

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Item Recommendation 2016 Cost estimate Outcome Status April 2017 Pilot Project (1) – pack age Quotation to be Testing of better ground water treatment obtained technology to remove At the LWUA premises in Manila a plant arsenic near a water treatment pilot plant is pumping station, safe installed, about 10 years ago. The drinking water for a plant is dilapidated but can by neighbourhood refurbished and used for testing of Pilot project for Pilot Project (2) – 10,000 euro plus Testing of various treatment immediate household (family) filters local installation types household improvement and and monitoring filters, safe drinking The inventory of handpumps can testing of technologies costs water for 100 families proceed now the Arsenator test kit Inventory of all hand Action LWUA, Data base of hand is in operation pumps including water DOH pumps in operation quality analyses in the incl. water problem area Sample programme Action DENR Environmental industry near Lubao management, improved water quality Lab & data Lab analyse s improvement 20,000 - 50,000 Better quality of local improvement euro for testing labs and better test The lab analysis quality of CRL and and training results NRL has been verified (CRL analyses Improvement of water Action LWUA Improved water field samples still missing). The quality data sampling, quality sampling, and comparison results are good. testing and data data management management Also data management has been improved but still needs to be linked to health data Lubao water quality 100,000 – A design of an Royal Haskoning, IHE -Delft and improvement project – TA 150,000 euro for improved water VitensEvides International from the Technical Assistance component technical supply system Netherlands have enquired the programme assistance and resulting in a more Dutch Partners-for Water grant concept design steady flow, positive facility for feasibility studies (50% pipe pressures, less grant). This however did not push groundwater through due to the problem of the fluctuations, more 50% counter financing control and better water quality Also the initial idea of bulk water transport of water from a safe source came up as an idea to be financed by the private sector. 3 potential investors are identified but studies will have to be made Lubao Water Quality Lubao water quality 1-2 million euro Implementation of the Improvement Project improvement project Lubao water quality Outstanding, and likely to be implementation, improvement extended to Guagua and other construction programme regions (approx. 400,000 people)

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Item Recommendation 2016 Cost estimate Outcome Status April 2017 Public awareness and training

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Annex I – List of short course participants Appendix I

Participants of the short course: Groundwater Use for Drinking water production

NO. NAME DESIGNATION PLACE OF ASSIGNMENT E-MAIL ADDRESS 1 DUNN PATRICK B. IMANA CHIEF - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SANITATION DIVISION CITY HEALTH OFFICE, CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA [email protected] 2 ANGELIZA H. MONTALLANA SANITATION INSPECTOR CLARK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION - CLARK [email protected] 3 ALBERT MANASAN WRFO FOREMAN LUBAO WATER DISTRICT [email protected] 4 JOSE LEANDRO IBARRA SANITATION INSPECTOR CITY HEALTH OFFICE, [email protected] 5 GREGORIO S. UMPAD ENGINEER II PROVINCIAL HEALTH OFFICE, [email protected] 6 NORBERTA MALLARI SANITATION INSPECTOR IV PROVINCIAL HEALTH OFFICE, NUEVA ECIJA [email protected] 7 CARLOS PIOCOS ENGINEER III PROVINCIAL HEALTH OFFICE, ZAMBALES [email protected] 8 MARIA CARMELA CAPULE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER CRL ENVIRONMENTAL [email protected] 9 PRESCILLA GATBONTON CHEMIST CRL ENVIRONMENTAL [email protected] 10 FRANCIS PAULE NURSE III DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL BUREAU [email protected] 11 LUIS F. CRUZ SENIOR HEALTH PROGRAM OFFICER DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL BUREAU [email protected] 12 IRENE MANALO NURSE I DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL BUREAU [email protected] 13 AMELIA ARCE SANITARY ENGINEER III PROVINCIAL HEALTH OFFICE, PAMPANGA [email protected] 14 ROWENA DIZON SANITATION INSPECTOR V MUNICIPAL HEALTH OFFICE, LUBAO, PAMPANGA [email protected] 15 VIRGILIO BOMBETA ASSISTANT DEPARTMENT MANAGER LOCAL WATER UTILITIES ADMINISTRATION [email protected] 16 FILEMON ANGELES SANITARY ENGINEER CLARK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION - CLARK [email protected] 17 FELIPE CUYUGAN MUNICIPAL HEALTH OFFICER MUNICIPAL HEALTH OFFICE, FLORIDABLANCA, PAMPANGA 18 ROSALIE MALIT SANITATION INSPECTOR MUNICIPAL HEALTH OFFICE, FLORIDABLANCA, PAMPANGA [email protected] 19 MARIA VERONICA ELLOGIO CHEMIST II NRL EAST AVENUE MEDICAL CENTER 20 NENITA MARAYAG CHEMIST IV NRL EAST AVENUE MEDICAL CENTER [email protected] 21 EUGENIO RAMIREZ ENGINEER III PROVINCIAL HEALTH OFFICE, BATAAN [email protected] 22 ROY V. LOZANO SR. WRFO FOREMAN GUAGUA WATER DISTRICT, PAMPANGA [email protected] 23 GILBERT CORDERO SR. WRFO FOREMAN GUAGUA WATER DISTRICT, PAMPANGA 24 JOEY PRING SANITATION INSPECTOR ANGELES CITY, PAMPANGA 25 ROSEMARIE LIM BRANCH MANAGER EMINENT LABORATORY, CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA [email protected] 26 BRANISLAV PETRUSEVSKI CONSULTANT DRR team / UNESCO - IHE 27 THEO KLEINENDORST CONSULTANT DRR team / ACACIA WATER 28 VICENTE ALVIN SUBA DMWR GUAGUA WATER DISTRICT, PAMPANGA 29 ALLEN M. INDUCTIVO ENGINEER III DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - REGIONAL OFFICE III [email protected] / [email protected] 30 CZARINA GARCIA YABUT SENIOR HEALTH PROGRAM OFFICER DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - REGIONAL OFFICE III [email protected] 31 ENRIQUE C. GARCIA NURSE I DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - REGIONAL OFFICE III [email protected] 32 MAILA S. ROSTRATA MEDICAL OFFICER IV DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - REGIONAL OFFICE III [email protected] 33 FERDI BATTES CONSULTANT DRR team / UNESCO - IHE 34 RUDOLF MUIJTJENS CONSULTANT DRR team / RHDHVUNESCO - IHE

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Annex II – Questionnaires filled by 2 selected laboratories in Philippines

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