TALOMO RIVER WATER QUALITY: The December 2012 Data PROPONENTS: CASTILLANO, HANNAH J. TORRECAMPO, APRIL DIANNE M. Water Studies Project ADVISER:

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1 TALOMO RIVER WATER QUALITY: The December 2012 Data PROPONENTS: CASTILLANO, HANNAH J. TORRECAMPO, APRIL DIANNE M. Water Studies Project ADVISER: MICHAEL A. CASAS

2 Project summary: Talomo River serves as the primary source of water in the Davao Region. Constant monitoring of its condition is very essential. This study aims to assess the quality of water in Talomo River and suggest to the Davao City Government ways on how to to develop and maintain the water quality and measures for the protection of the Talomo River. Samples were gathered on December 27, 2013 and sent to Davao Analytical Laboratories, Inc. (DALINC) for analysis for Dissolved Oxygen, ph level, conductivity, Chemical Oxygen Demand, phosphate, sulfate, cadmium, lead and chromium concentration. Based on the findings, the water in Talomo River passed the standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. However, microbiological quality of the water should be looked into in the future. Moreover, sustainable policies should be enacted to ensure the integrity of the river to secure the drinking supply of the city. Objectives: This study aims to: 1. Assess the quality of water in Talomo River; and 2. Suggest to the Davao City Government on how to develop and maintain water quality and protection of the Talomo River.

3 Methodology Collection of Water Samples from the Talomo River. Collection of Water Samples (downstream) Collection of Water Samples (Upstream) Collection of Water Samples (Middle Stream) Submission of Water Samples to Davao Analytical Laboratories, Inc. for Chemical and Physical Analysis Receiving/Gathering of Results from the Davao Analytical Laboratories, Inc. Analysis and Interpretation of Data/Results and Findings Findings and Results: The study was conducted to determine the quality of water in Talomo River on three different parts of the area. Samples were gathered and sent to Davao Analytical Laboratories, Inc.(DALINC) for analysis on the following parameters: Dissolved Oxygen

4 (DO), ph level, conductivity, Chemical Oxygen Demand(COD) and phosphate, sulfate, cadmium, lead and chromium concentration. Dissolved oxygen is the amount of gaseous oxygen which is present in an aqueous solution. This involves the diffusion of oxygen into water from the surrounding environment, waste products of photosynthesis or by aeration. Field tests for this activity are usually done on a particular site wherein only grab samples should be used and should be performed immediately. It is more specifically essential for aquatic life. As seen in Table 1, dissolved oxygen (DO) content downstream at 8:28 AM is 7.8 mg/l, in water upstream at 8:00 AM is 7.8 mg/l and bridge middle stream at 8:21 AM is 7.8 mg/l. Table 1: The Water Quality on Talomo River Based on the Heavy Metal Ions and ph PARAMETERS Talomo River Downstream 8:28 AM Talomo River Water Upstream 8:00 AM Under the bridge Middlestream 8:21AM DO, mg/l C Conductivity,µS/cm COD,mgO 2 /L Phosphates, ppm Sulfate, ppm Cadmium, ppm ND ND ND Lead, ppm ND ND ND Chromium, ppm ND ND ND

5 A B Map 1. The Talomo River. Map A shows the span of the river while Map B shows the sampling sites chosen in the project

6 According to the River Pollution Index ( RPI) whichis an integrated indicator used to determine the level of pollution of a river, the standard value for dissolved oxygen content with amount of higher than 6.5 mg/l determines that the water is non(slightly)-polluted. The ph level is determined by the concentration of hydrogen ion in a solution which measures the acidity or basicity of the nature of solution. Solutions that have a ph level of less than 7 are acidic and solutions with a ph level greater than 7 are basic or are known as alkaline. Based on the data gathered, the ph level of water downstream of Talomo River at 8:28 AM is 7.9; the water upstream at 8:00 AM has ph level of 7.8; and the level of water middle stream at 8:21 AMis also 7.8. Based on the findings, the water in TalomoRiver is slightly basic since it has an average ph level of more than 7 by approximately 0.8. According to Oram (n.d.), the normal range for ph in surface water systems is 6.5 to 8.5 and for groundwater systems 6 to 8.5. Alkalinity is a measure of the capacity of water to maintain the ph level of water or resist a change in ph that would tend to make the water more acidic. Generally, water with a low ph, which is less than 6.5 could be acidic, soft, and corrosive. So, the water could leach metal ions like iron, manganese, copper, lead, and zinc. Therefore, water with low ph level could contain high levels of

7 toxic metals which can cause damage to metal piping, and have related aesthetic problems like a metallic or sour taste and stains. Also, water with a ph level of greater than 8.5 may indicate that the water is hard which can cause aesthetic problems and is not efficient for domestic uses. Conductivity refers to the ability of an aqueous solution to carry an electrical current. An ion of an element which has gained or lost an electron would create a negative or positive state that could identify whether the solution conducts electrical current. Conductivity is usually connected directly to the total dissolved solids (T.D.S.) which is the measure of the combined content of all inorganicand organic substances contained in a liquid. Based on the data, the conductivity of water downstream of the river at 8:28 AM is 184 µs/cm; 188 µs/cm for the water upstream at 8:00AM; and 194 µs/cm at 8:21 AM for the water middle stream. According to MBH Engineering Systems, the standard aqueous conductivity of a totally pure water is µs/cm and a maximum of 1055 µs/m for potable water while for reverse osmosis (RO) water is µs/cm. Reverse osmosis is a process when the water is purified of solutes by being forced through a semi-permeable membrane through which the solvent may pass. In the data gathered, the COD or Chemical Oxygen demand of water sample from the downstream of the river is 15.2 mgo2/l; 22.9 mgo2/l for the water upstream; and

8 15.2 mgo2/l for the water sample from the middle stream. These results were obtained with the use of Closed Reflux-Titremetric method. According to Chalapathi, et. al., Chemical Oxygen Demand is a measure of water and wastewater quality. It is the amount of oxygen used to chemically oxidize organic water contaminants to inorganic end products and could also determine the amount of organic pollutant present in the surface of water. Therefore, water with high COD shows that there is inadequate oxygen available in the water and there would be more organic pollutant present. This shows that the water of Talomo River has low pollution level. The water downstream of Talomo River contains 0.10 ppm of phosphate; 0.11 ppm for water upstream; and 0.11 ppm for the water middle stream. According to Minard (2013), phosphate in water allows plants and animals to grow and function and is an element needed for strong bones and teeth. It also functions in water for measuring the amount of light absorbed. Based on the findings, the amount of phosphate found in water sample of Talomo River is enough because, according to Osmond, et. al. (n.d.), there should be about 0.1 mg/l or 0.1 ppm of phosphate in streams or rivers. However, high concentration of phosphate causes rapid growth of algae and weeds that may choke the waterway and use large amounts of oxygen that may cause the death of aquatic organisms.

9 Based on the results obtained, the water downstream of Talomo River has 6.9 ppm of Sulfate; 10.9 ppm for the water upstream; and 12.8 ppm for the water middle stream. According to the MDH or Minnesota Department of Health (2012), if sulfate in water exceeds 250 mg/l or 250 ppm, the water might have a bitter or medicinal taste. And according to the guidelines set by WHO or the World Health Organization (n.d.), the amount of sulfate in drinking water should be at most 500 mg/l or 500 ppm. Higher sulfate levels in water could have laxative effects and may harm the animals that depend on it. It may cause severe, chronic diarrhea and sometimes, it may cause death. Based on the laboratory results, there were no cadmium, lead and chromium detected from the water samples of Talomo River. Cadmium is a chemical element which cannot be dissolved in water and does not react with it. It may also cause health problems such as diarrhea, stomach pains, and bone fracture and cancer development. It can also bio accumulate in fishes and other organisms; and cause skeletal deformities that can lead to impaired ability of the organisms to find food and avoid predators. It also weakens plant growth that affects the entire ecosystem and lessens the availability of food (Solomon, 2008). Lead on the other hand is a metal found in natural deposits. Its presence on water can cause different poorhealth effects such as increase in blood pressure and result to the delay in physical and mental development of infants and children. It also

10 affects the central nervous system of animals and slows down their ability to synthesize red blood cells (Greene, 2012).Chromium is also a metallic element which is insoluble in water. It can cause skin rashes, ulcers, respiratory problems, lung cancer, kidney and liver damage, and even death of animals. Therefore, the Talomo River is safe since it is free from harmful metallic elements. Based on the findings and results, it is concluded that the Talomo River is safe for aquatic organisms that inhabit the river and the people living near or around it; and its water is potable and safe for drinking and has good quality. Proposed Actions: Various measures can be done to develop and maintain water quality and protection of the Talomo River. First is, to have a controlled population or number of people that are using the water source in order to minimize effects which could affect the condition of the river s water quality. Second is, to avoid disposing waste products near or directly to the river which are factors that could lead to the contamination of water since many chemicals are dangerous. Furthermore, it can harm the organisms which are depending on the river. Third is, to create linkages for establishments to educate the people who are living near or around the river in order to give them proper orientation on how to use the water source in such a way that it can develop and as well as maintain water quality.

11 Impacts of the study: This study will enable us to determine the dangers and harmful elements that might be present in the Talomo River. Through this study, the people and the residents of Davao City or near the river will be knowledgeable about the quality of the water they are using. The city will also be aware of how to maintain the quality, cleanliness, development and the protection of the river for the organisms living in it and for their own health and safety. References: Environmental Protection Administration, R.O.C. (Taiwan).(2010). Water Quality Standards. Retrieved March 19, 2013, from Standard.aspx?Languages=en Greene, D. (2012, December 06). Effects of lead on the environment. Retrieved March 19, 2013, fromhttp:// Kentucky Water Watch. (N.D.). Dissolved Oxygen. Retrieved March 19, 2013, from Minard, A. (2013). How Do Phosphates Affect Water Quality. Retrieved March 19, 2013, from Minnesota Department of Health. (2012, August 20). Sulfate in Well Water. Retrieved March 19, 2013, from Oram, B. (N.D.). What are Phosphates. Retrieved March 19, 2013, from Osmond, D. et. al. (N.D.).Phosphorus. Retrieved March 19, 2013, from Solomon, F. (2008, April).Impacts of Metals on Aquatic Ecosystems and Human Health. Retrieved March 19, 2013, from United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2012, March 06). Sulfate in Drinking Water. Retrieved March 19, 2013, from Water Treatment Solutions LENNTECH.(2012). Cadmium-cd. Retrieved March 19, 2013, from

12 Water Treatment Solutions LENNTECH.(2012). Chromium (Cr) and water. Retrieved March 19, 2013, from Water Treatment Solutions LENNTECH.(2012). Sulfates. Retrieved March 19, 2013, from Western U.P. Center for Science, Math and Environmental Education. (N.D.). WATER CHEMISTRY Data Interpretation and Standards. Retrieved March 19, 2013, from World Health Organization. (N.D.). Sulfate in Drinking-water. Retrieved March 19, 2013, from

Elemental Metals and Toxic Effects. Heavy Metals

Elemental Metals and Toxic Effects Many communities may have high levels of toxic metals in their drinking water, particularly those served by from private wells, because of contamination or as a result