Water quality assessment of Dodiongan Falls in Bonbonon, Iligan City, Philippines

Abstract

Water is an essential element that sustains life on this planet, yet it is threatened by human activities. With little attention paid to the waterfall as a source of a domestic water supply and a tourist spot for recreation, this study was designed to investigate one of the waterfalls in Iligan City, Philippines: Dodiongan Falls. The location of the study is a neighborhood of the city garbage dumpsite that due to an uncontrollable situation, releases dark-colored secretion from the treatment box as has been verified by the residents in the area; this posed a threat to their food security and livelihood. Assessing the physicochemical parameters, heavy metal concentration and Escherichia coli counts is very crucial in interpreting its water quality. All parameters such as the pH, alkalinity, turbidity, lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and the E. Coli test were done following the standard procedures. The results revealed that the pH, alkalinity, turbidity, total lead (less than 0.01 mg/L) and total mercury concentration (less than 0.001 mg/L) at the three sites were in conformity with the guidelines of the World Health Organization and Philippine national water quality standards. However, the E. Coli count has increased downstream from 220 to 1,600 MPN per 100 ml, which exceeded the standard limit. With these findings, it is paramount that the creation of a management plan be initiated as soon as possible by the different governmental agencies in order to bring back the life of Dodiongan Falls.