Some communities in Los Baños, Laguna still face challenges in accessing safe and clean drinking water

12 Nov 2025

Due to rising costs or the inaccessibility of commercial water, many rural communities rely on artesian well (“poso”) water as their primary water source. But because artesian well waters are not treated and are often not tested regularly, they may be contaminated with microorganisms that could cause diseases, including those resistant to antibiotics.

This study looked at artesian well water samples from selected barangays in Los Baños, Laguna to check for Escherichia coli, a bacterium often linked to fecal contamination. Of the 30 water samples, eight have exhibited fecal contamination, three of which were identified as contaminated by E. coli. When the E. coli isolates were tested for antibiotic resistance, it was found that they were resistant to antibiotics, with one isolate resistant to four antibiotics used in this study. This resistance is linked to a specific gene called TEM gene, which gives resistance to a group of antibiotics known as beta-lactams. The study also revealed that 10 households used the water sample from which an antibiotic-resistant E. coli was detected as drinking water.

With this, it is imperative to educate the community about the risks associated with consuming contaminated water. More importantly, regular monitoring of artesian well waters and providing access to safe drinking water by local government units are recommended.

This study aims to raise awareness of the presence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria in water sources such as artesian well waters, specifically E. coli, which is an indicator of fecal contamination. MDR bacteria increase the risk of contracting diseases that are harder to treat, thus posing a significant public health concern. Moreover, MDR bacteria present in water sources may further spread resistance to other bacteria, making it more challenging to control their spread. Thus, this study sheds light on the importance of water sources that are safe for daily consumption and the role of local government units and organizations in monitoring the quality of water in communities.

Authors: Marian Jean T. Panganiban (Microbiology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños), Ivan Raden A. Rosario (St. Luke’s College of Medicine, Sta. Ignaciana St., Cathedral Heights, Quezon City) and Noel G. Sabino (Microbiology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Read the full paper: https://philjournalsci.dost.gov.ph/multidrug-resistant-escherichia-coli-from-artesian-well-waters-in-los-banos-laguna-the-philippines/

Some communities in Los Baños, Laguna still face challenges in accessing safe and clean drinking water

Due to rising costs or the inaccessibility of commercial water, many rural communities rely on artesian well (“poso”) water as their primary water source. But because artesian well waters are not treated and are often not tested regularly, they may be contaminated with microorganisms that could cause diseases, including those resistant to antibiotics.

This study looked at artesian well water samples from selected barangays in Los Baños, Laguna to check for Escherichia coli, a bacterium often linked to fecal contamination. Of the 30 water samples, eight have exhibited fecal contamination, three of which were identified as contaminated by E. coli. When the E. coli isolates were tested for antibiotic resistance, it was found that they were resistant to antibiotics, with one isolate resistant to four antibiotics used in this study. This resistance is linked to a specific gene called TEM gene, which gives resistance to a group of antibiotics known as beta-lactams. The study also revealed that 10 households used the water sample from which an antibiotic-resistant E. coli was detected as drinking water.

With this, it is imperative to educate the community about the risks associated with consuming contaminated water. More importantly, regular monitoring of artesian well waters and providing access to safe drinking water by local government units are recommended.

This study aims to raise awareness of the presence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria in water sources such as artesian well waters, specifically E. coli, which is an indicator of fecal contamination. MDR bacteria increase the risk of contracting diseases that are harder to treat, thus posing a significant public health concern. Moreover, MDR bacteria present in water sources may further spread resistance to other bacteria, making it more challenging to control their spread. Thus, this study sheds light on the importance of water sources that are safe for daily consumption and the role of local government units and organizations in monitoring the quality of water in communities.

Authors: Marian Jean T. Panganiban (Microbiology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños), Ivan Raden A. Rosario (St. Luke’s College of Medicine, Sta. Ignaciana St., Cathedral Heights, Quezon City) and Noel G. Sabino (Microbiology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Read the full paper: https://philjournalsci.dost.gov.ph/multidrug-resistant-escherichia-coli-from-artesian-well-waters-in-los-banos-laguna-the-philippines/