Water Quality of Sawaga River, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Philippines

Winona Kyle S. Bertomen, Elnor C. Roa, Emilie G. Tubio, Sonnie A. Vedra, Geralyn D. Dela Pena

Abstract: The study of the water quality of Sawaga River, Malaybalay City was conducted on April 2017. Three sampling stations were established. The rivers physico-chemical parameters such as the width, depth, flow rate, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, total suspended solids (TSS), nitrate (NO3N), nitrite (NO2N), ammonia (NH3N) and phosphate (PO43P) were determined. Results of the study showed that majority of these water quality parameters are within the specified and permissible values set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for Drinking Water (Class A) and also passed the water quality criteria for water suitable for fish growth and propagation (Class C) except for the nitrogen levels in a form of ammonia and nitrite. Nitrogen levels of both forms were detected at appreciably high levels which correspondingly denote pollution. The analyses of the physico-chemical parameters were analyzed parallel with the results of the interviews and respondents answers of the questionnaire. Holistically, results strongly suggest that Sawaga River is polluted. It is therefore recommended that comprehensive study of its water quality in several other parts of the river and also includes the determination of heavy metals, pesticides, coliform levels will be conducted.

Keywords: river, physico-chemical parameters, standards, water quality, sustainable management