Physicochemical Features of River in Santa Cruz, Laguna: Basis for Strategic Plan

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Water is essential not only to individual humans, but also to human societies. Along with the water that flows in the Santa Cruz River are the wastes that include trash or garbage from the households, schools, offices, market places, restaurants and other public places. The researcher has observed that the river condition is currently very different and perceived the water to be of poor quality. The practices of the surrounding community, as assumed, contribute to the present features of Santa Cruz River.

METHODS

This study has its importance in upholding the status of Santa Cruz River wherein different issues may be solved by the set of assessment that the researcher entitled to do like giving questionnaire to know the perception of the residents living near the river as well as the laboratory analyses that were done on water samples.

RESULTS

River in Santa Cruz, Laguna as analyzed according to the results obtained for 3 months from stations 1,2 and 3 " passed" the water quality criteria for basic parameters. It falls on classification class C, defined as Fishery water for propagation and growth of fish and other aquatic resources, Recreational Water Class II for boating, fishing and similar activities and for Agriculture, irrigation and livestock watering. All the river water samples from the three stations "passed" the water quality criteria for the physical analysis. However, Biological analysis reveals that average values for BOD for the three stations are higher than the minimum standard of 7 mg/L for class C, which made the water "failed" to meet the criteria the results, was obtained from the checklist of perceived practices being done by the residents.

DISCUSSIONS

However, the findings of the study revealed that the perceived human practices that involved agriculture and fishing, quarrying and water supply, sewerage and waste management significantly affect the status of the River in Santa Cruz, Laguna. This implies that the water from the river is not suitable for human consumption, which is for drinking, bathing, washing of clothes, and other similar human activities for it contains bacteria that can cause human diseases.