ABSTRACT

BARRO, ROSE ANN I. Central Mindanao University, University Town, Musuan Bukidnon. March 2011. WATER QUALITY EVALUATION OF BLUE WATER IN THE CAVE OF SAN JOSE, QUEZON, BUKIDNON. Adviser: Dr. Laarni F. Lacandula The study aimed to evaluate the water quality of Blue Water in the cave of Sitio Quarry, San Jose, Quezon, Bukidnon. There were three stations with three replicates for the water sampling. Stations 1 and 2 are classified for Class AA and Station 3 as Class B. Sampling period was within January 6-31, 2011. Samples for bacterial analysis were brought to San Miguel Foods Inc. while the three samples for physico-chemical were taken to Davao Analytical Laboratory Inc. Laboratory results were compared with the DENR standard for Class AA and Class B respectively. Water quality parameters such as bacterial counts and the levels of Nitrates, phosphates, pH and TSS were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test. Demographic characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistics. On Blue Water quality evaluation for Class AA, the isolated bacteria are the following: Klebsiella pnuemonea, Staphylococcus spp, Enterobacter spp, and Citrobacter spp. Second sampling has highest average count (0.67 counts/100mL) of bacterial isolates observed in station 1. Total Coliform of Stations 1 and 2 are significantly different at 0.01 level of probability, and both are within the DENR water quality standard. On the other hand, on the second sampling period, the highest levels of Nitrates and Phosphates were observed in Station 2 while pH has it highest level in Station 1.

Only phosphates were beyond the DENR standard. Yet in Station 1 Nitrates, Phosphates and pH were significantly different at 0.01 level of probability, and only Phosphates and pH were significantly different at 0.01 level of probability in Station 2. However, in Station 3 which is classified as Class B, third sampling has the highest level of pH while TSS has its highest level on second sampling. Both TSS and pH were within the DENR standard for Class B and they were both significantly different at 0.01 level of probability. Structured schedule interview conducted with 75 respondents in the study site, 53.8% utilized Blue Water, and the rest of the respondents used other water sources in the locality. Only 35.0% who said that human activities did not affect the water quality of the Blue Water. On the other hand, only 7.1% of the respondents have septic tanks in their respective comfort rooms, yet 70% claims that until the present time they have not experienced health problems with regards to their use of blue water as drinking water. Based on the results of the quality evaluation of Blue Water in the cave of Sitio Quarry, San Jose, Quezon, Bukidnon, it is concluded that the source is not safe for drinking as compared to Class AA- DENR standard. However, Blue water source qualifies for Class B DENR standard, which is still safe for recreational purposes. The study recommends for the use of Blue Water as recreational resource, and not as the source of drinking water. The Local Government should develop a comprehensive management plan for the protection and conservation of Blue Water resource as a recreational spot of Quezon, Bukidnon.