MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Central Visayas on Monday said it is closely monitoring the health of inmates in three city jails after bacteriological tests showed that their water supply is positive with coliform bacteria.

The three jails include Lapu-Lapu City Jail, Naga City Jail, and Bayawan City Jail in Negros Oriental. Senior Inspector Mary Jane Inopia, public information officer of BJMP-7, said they have to run another test to confirm the presence of coliform bacteria in the jails’ water supplies.

Inopia said the BJMP has yet to receive reports of inmates getting sick because of contaminated water. She said that the water tested was not for drinking but for other uses inside the jail.

She said that jail officials in the three facilities have been instructed to boil the water first before drinking.

The Lapu-Lapu City Jail, meanwhile, said it is taking the initiative to have its water supply re-tested. Jail warden Supt. Isabelo Cartin Jr. said the tests showed that tap water from their faucets and deep well are negative for coliform bacteria. He added that the water samples passed Department of Health standards for drinking water.

Cartin said the jail has yet to receive reports of inmates getting diarrhea or any illness caused by dirty water.

He said inmates were also taught to keep their own containers for drinking water and to always keep them clean.

Lapu-Lapu City Jail currently has 780 inmates. Their main water source is the deep well located inside the compound of the jail. Water from the deep well is only used for taking a bath and washing clothes.