An Update on the Contamination of the San Vicente Water System

Earlier in our newscast, we spoke with Miriam Ochaeta-Serrut about the unfortunate incident in the north where a little girl ingested a poisonous chemical.  During our conversation with the Registrar of Pesticides, we asked for an update on another incident, this one in San Vicente Village, Toledo District. Six persons fell ill after ingesting contaminated water from their pipes. It is believed that a resident poured the pesticide Malathion into the village’s water system. The Public Health Unit has since flushed out the system, but no one has been charged for the incident which could have potentially led to the poisoning of an entire community. Ochaeta-Serrut says the exact product has still not been confirmed.

Miriam Ochaeta-Serrut

Miriam Ochaeta-Serrut, Registrar of Pesticides, Pesticide Control Board

“It is still unconfirmed if they picture that was circulating on social media if that was the product that was found on site. What I know is that some tests had been carried out on the water system. We recommended that the tank be replaced, but they had been able to conduct some tests, but we have not received a final report from the Ministry of Health on the results of those tests. But a team has been working on it to make the call if when the system is safe enough to be used again. That case really brought to light the need to ensure that these systems have adequate security or safeguards to prevent anything like this from happening. Apparently, they couldn’t place the person on the site, so I understand that’s how this case is playing out.”