Challenge and Future Needs: A Water Analysis of the Calumpang River

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Urban rivers are vulnerable to different urban processes and activities that cause pollution and degradation of the water ecosystem. Restoring the health of rivers poses a huge challenge to governments and other actors in the public domain. While the rehabilitation and/or restoration of urban rivers in developed countries offer measures and pathways to follow for developing countries, the differences in circumstances between the developed and developing countries including the various local conditions do not warrant simple replication and immediately transferable fixes. The rationale of the study is to assess the water quality of CalumpangRiver in Batangas city. The researchers chose to conduct a study related to the issue due to the fact thatCalumpangRiver is one of the river bodies accessible to study. Rest assured that the study only focuses on the water quality of the river and the survey was conducted by the researchers.

METHODS

This study aspires to have an understanding and awareness about the current state ofCalumpangRiver. This was conducted in order to know how it may affect other tributaries due to its risk pollutants. Specifically, the parameters studied that served as indicators of some abnormalities on its normal state-turbidity, phosphate andpH.In order to make the study plausible, we used composite sampling and samples were tested by technical partners from Lipa City Quality Control.

RESULTS

The results from the test and statistical analysis showed that it is already under Class D which means that its water can only be used for agriculture and manufacturing process after treatment. Three samples were used, Kumintang Ibaba, Bridge of Promise, Malitam Mangrove Area, andPallocanPuntonBridge, and among the three samplesKumintangIbaba, Bridge of Promise has the highest level of all the chosen parameters.

DISCUSSIONS

Improper waste disposal and poor sewage system contribute to Calumpang Rive’s increasing pollutants. In response, an action plan is proposed to at least minimize and mitigate hazards to some of its tributaries. Future researchers can provide current baseline information reflecting water quality of the river to ensure more accurate results. At the same time, they can continue sampling and monitoring the status of the river to enhance management of its water quality.