ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT An Assessment of Water Pollution in Barangay 6, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro

MA. SHELLA S. CABRERA

Submitted to Ms. Cita Rina Chambal in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in Natural Science I Introduction to Biological Science

PREFACE
The purpose of this report is to assess and explain the present environmental and health problems and issues that challenged and threatened the community of Barangay 6, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro. The report is also a requirement for the partial fulfilment in Introduction to Biological Science subject. The report focuses primarily on the environmental problems and issues that need to be addressed and the recommended solutions and strategies to implement to prevent further environmental degradation, ground water contamination and pollution of Mamburao River.

Because the various parts of the report reflect the successes, observations and comments, it would be imperative that the recommendations are also given.

It is hoped that this report would serve as a cardinal vehicle to the improvement of the wastewater and environmental management and to increase environmental awareness in the community.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface Acknowledgement Executive Summary Introduction Methodology of the Research Brief Socio-Economic Profile of Barangay 6 Environmental Problems and Issues Recommended Solutions Current Programs/Strategies Proposed Programs/Strategies Conclusions Annexes Annex A Photos of the Existing Temporary Fish Market Annex B Photos of the Problem the Improper Discharge of Wastewater

Executive Summary
Public markets generates a variety of wastes that must be managed properly to minimize public health risks and pollution of Mamburao River and to improve the general cleanliness of the area for the benefit of the market workers, customers and affected residents of the area. During the first days of the environmental assessment it became clear that while the community affected by the presence of the Temporary Fish Market faced serious problems with solid waste and waste water management, the major big and obvious risk with respect to direct impacts on human health was the matter of the odor of the fish market and its wastes. As such, it was given top priority by key actor such as Solid Waste Management and Health, as well as by this assessment mission. The everyday operation of the Temporary Fish Market is the key issue of the present pollution situation in the community. Currently, the Temporary Fish Market has not waste treatment facility. No major big and obvious risks with respect to direct impacts on human health specifically stomach pain due to the foul odor brought by the solid waste and waste water of the temporary fish market were identified. However, it was clear that wastes (solid and liquid) had a negative impact on the environment due to pollutants present in the market wastes. During the environmental assessment it became clear from community meetings that the foul smell from the standing waste water in the catch basin was not the only problem but ground water contamination and environmental degradation of Mamburao River was becoming an issue and was likely to increase in the coming days.

Introduction
In March 2010, the Public Market of the Municipality of Mamburao was relocated to the old fish port of Barangay 6 to give way to the construction of the new public market. However, five months later the fish market was relocated again to a private lot along Salvador Street to give way to the construction of a multi-purpose hall. The relocation area of the fish market is a heavy populated area of the Barangay. Despite the residents opposition, the fish market was relocated in the area with the consent of the Barangay officials and of the lot owner.

During the first week of operation of the fish market, complaints of stomach pain among the residents especially children are become the main concern and issue in the community.

The solid wastes (fish entrails and scales) that are not collected at the end of the market hours and the waste water stocked in the catch basin caused incredible foul smell. The waste water flows from the working table of the vendors to a PVC pipe which is connected to the existing canal of the Barangay. Said canal is connected to an old culvert at the bottom of a business establishment. However, the old culvert serves as water channel from the drainage canal to the outlet attached to the protection dike only when there are heavy rains. The waste water disposal system of the fish market is designed to allow water flow to the old culvert down to the final outlet the Mamburao River. During the environmental assessment, it has been observed and found out that the waste water discharged in the fish market is stocked in a catch basin attached to the drainage canal. The catch basin was installed to enable the suspended solids settle at the bottom, thereby, only waste water will flow in the canal. However, it was found out that the waste water discharged is not enough to allow continuous flow of water down to the outlet, the Mamburao River. Instead, waste waters settle at the land surface beneath the houses of the residents of the barangay. Evidently, the waste waters of the fish market stocked in the catch basin and flowed down in the surface produce foul odors that might put the health of the community into a major risk. However, there is no clear evidence that the foul odor has indeed caused health problems to the residents. What is certain is the water and land pollution the waste water generated by the fish market will cause to the environment and the disagreeable odors that cause nuisance condition to the community.

Methodology of the Research

A qualitative research approach, as described by Creswell (2003), was utilized in gathering data in order to explore the stated objectives. This approach was used due to the fact that in order to meet the research objectives more subjective and experienced based information would be required of research participants. Also, due to the emergent nature of CEA it seemed appropriate to use this approach. In addition, this research used a participatory approach to gathering data.

Specific methods applied included a Community Environmental Assessment, semi-structured interviews, document reviews (Creswell, 2003), and participant observation. Community Environmental Assessment was used to provide systematic and consistent value judgments which can be compared over time and gather information in order to analyze the environmental effects of planned and/or completed activities. Document reviews as well as interviews with staff from the Municipal Government of Mamburao were used to gather information on how participation and learning were facilitated in the CEA process. Community members were also asked to give an autobiographical account of their experiences with CEA.

Brief Socio-Economic Profile of Barangay 6

Barangay 6 is one of the urban barangays of the Municipality of Mamburao. The Barangay lies on the level area of the coastal bank of Mamburao River. It is bounded on the west by Mamburao River, on the east by Barangay 5, on the north by Barangay 8 and on the South By Mamburao Bay. Barangay 6 lies on the level area of the river bank of Mamburao River. Barangay 6 has a total population of 607 and a total household of 113 based on the 2007 Census Report. It covers a land area of 3.34 hectares. Barangay 6 is the present trade center of Mamburao, having the Temporary Public Market of the Municipality (Wet and Dry). With the challenges of urbanization, the Barangay faces the problem of overpopulation. Informal settlers are prevalent in the barangay, especially along the protection dike.

Environmental Problems and Issues

Generally, the wastewater generated from the Fish Market contains high level of organic materials and solids classifying it as high-strength wastewater. The wastewater from the Temporary Fish market is not only contaminating the ground water, specifically the Mamburao River but it also produces foul smell in the drainage canal which results from the untreated wastewater that obviously threatening the health of the residents. With this situation, Barangay 6 has been faced with health and water related issues due to increasing amounts of untreated and insanitary wastewater from the Temporary Fish Market that is released to the land surface and to Mamburao River which plays an important role in the ecosystem of the Barangay. The direct disposal of waste into Mamburao River causes waste to build up within the water which suddenly creates a pungent odor. Also, this waste decreases the amount of oxygen in water, causing the death of aquatic animals or other organisms.

On the other side, the majority of the poor households of the Barangay depend upon deep wells for potable water, which is known to be contaminated due to the untreated wastewater released by the households themselves to the river and which is worsen by the untreated wastewater from the Fish Market.

Recommended Solutions
In order resolve the environmental and health problem and issues the community of Barangay 6 is facing due to the untreated wastewater of the Fish Market, it is recommended to improve the existing drainage canal of Barangay 6 to prevent the emission of foul smell to the community. Since the Temporary Fish Market is seen to stay longer in the area, it is highly to provide an onsite wastewater treatment system. A wastewater treatment facility entails a high cost construction and the Barangay may not be capable of financing the system. However, the barangay may request the Municipal Government of Mamburao (fish market operator) to provide the facility since the same has the key responsibility in the maintenance of the fish market and in the proper discharge of the wastewater. Since the Fish Market is temporary in the area, it is unfeasible to construct a long-term wastewater treatment structure. Selecting a low-cost technologies wastewater treatment facility is the best option and most suitable to the circumstances. A purifying septic tank can be installed as primary treatment facility. In addition, a low-cost decentralized wastewater
treatment system (DEWATS) can also be installed in the Fish Market. This low-cost decentralized wastewater treatment is a technology straight from the trash bin. The DEWATS us a plastic septic tank connected to an anaerobic reactor, an aerobic reactor and an algal pond.

On the other hand, the community should conduct a regular clean up in the affected area and in the Mamburao River to prevent and minimize contamination of the surface and ground water. Information dissemination on the risks that may pose by the wastewater pollution should be conducted to make people aware and take upon them the responsibility of protecting their environment.

Current Programs/Strategies
In my capacity as Head of the Municipal Solid Waste Management Office, I have implemented the following programs to address the water pollution problem in the Barangay, to wit: Strict prohibition on the illegal dumping of solid and liquid wastes on and around the Mamburao River Rehabilitation and regular clean up drive in the Mamburao River Maintenance of cleanliness of the Fish Market and drainage canal Information and Awareness Campaign on Water Pollution These programs have been effective; however, these are only immediate strategies to minimize problems on water pollution and these are not the best strategy/method to address the water pollution caused by the market wastewater .

Proposed Program/Strategies
To achieve the best and long-term approach on the ecological management of Mamburao River, the following are seen to be the best and effective strategies, viz:

Adoption of Integrated Wastewater Management and Environmental Management and Conservation Improvement of the drainage canal and installation of pvc pipe line Installation of Purifying Septic Tank in the Fish Market Construction of low-cost decentralized wastewater treatment system (DEWATS) Development of regulatory approach in the wastewater discharge among the Fish Market vendors

Conclusion
Although water pollution has a large negative effect on the health, quality of life and environment of the people of Barangay 6, most members of the community are wary of addressing this critical issue. The absence of wastewater treatment system in the Fish Market can be attributed to some constraints which include: lack of funds for infrastructure, water pollution control has been neglected and very little awareness among community members and local government on threats of the untreated wastewater. In spite of these obstacles and challenges, local government and community members must preserver in trying to solve the problem, one small step at a time.

The following are the expected key outcomes from the implementation of the strategies action plan: The treatment facility will help lower the water pollution due to decrease in the BOD level of wastewater discharge into Mamburao River Lessened if not eliminated the foul smell from the standing wastewater in the drainage canal Increased public awareness on proper waste disposal, wastewater management and sanitation Increased public accountability on the environmental protection and management

Readings: USAID (United States Agency for International Development). (October 2009). Sanitation Technology Information Sheet David Krantz and http://www.umich.edu Brad Kifferstein. Water Pollution and Society.

ADB (Asian Development Bank). Country Water Action: Philippines Using Solid Waste to Treat Water Waste. http://www.adb.org/water/actions/phi/using-solidwaste.asp

Annex A Photos of the Fish Market

Annex B Photos of the Fish Market Wastewater Discharge