Chemistry of

Water
Group 2, Bobiles, Quidayan, Tino, Landero, Carcosia, Haohao,
Verjom, Seligbon, Obedencio, Nadela, Angga, Payan
 Scope
• Importance of Water
• Properties of Water
• Pollutants of H20 and their sources
• Water Quality
• Water quality parameters (Guidelines, Sampling, and
Analysis)
• Effects of Water quality parameters to environment
• Status of Local Surface Water (Mindanao/PH)

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Importance of Water
 Water
a colorless, transparent, odorless, tasteless liquid
that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain and is
the basis of the fluids of living organisms.

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 Agriculture
The most important use of water is for agriculture.
Irrigation is necessary for agriculture, and for that,
water is the key component to produce food.

Drinking
Human body contains 50% to 78% of water according
to the size of the body. Humans need to drink 7 liters
of water every day to avoid dehydration.

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 Health
It plays an important role in digestion and other
biological processes that occur in living
organisms.

Regulator
It helps in regulating the body temperature. Water
provides the necessary cooling effect to the body.

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 Toxins
Water removes harmful toxins from the body
through perspiration and urination. It prevents
the buildup of wastes in living organisms.

Washing
It is used to make emulsions and solutions which
are used for washing purposes.

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Water for power
Thermal power plants also requires large volume of
water for the purpose of cooling and disposal of fly
ash. Water is used in thermal power generation.
Water for Navigation
Water ways are important medium of transportation.
Transport by water ways is cheaper as compared to by
road and railway.
Balancing the ecosystem
• Water is not only important for human beings but also plays an
important role to balance the entire ecosystem by various ways:
• By its presence in the atmosphere it absorbs the Sun’s heat.
• The rain water scours the hills and carries the sediments into rivers,
valleys etc.
• Percolating water into rock crusts takes part in the formation of
mineral deposits.
Properties of
water
Attraction to polar molecues
Cohesion
otherwise known as water's attraction to other water molecules, is one of the
major properties of water. Water's polarity lends it to be attracted to other water
molecules. The hydrogen bonds in water hold other water molecules together. Due to
water’s cohesiveness:
• Liquid has water tension. This allows for insects, such as water striders, to walk on water.
• Water is a liquid at moderate temperatures, and not gas.
Attraction to polar molecues
Adhesion
Water’s attraction between molecules of a different substance is called
adhesion. Water is adhesive to any molecule it can form hydrogen bonds with. Due to
water’s adhesiveness
• Capillary action occurs. For example, when you have a narrow tube in water, the water will rise up the
tube because of water’s adhesiveness to the glass “climbing’ up the tube.
Water’s high specific heat
-high specific heat is the amount of energy that is absorbed or lost by one gram of a
substance to change the temperature by 1 degree Celsius.
-Water molecules form a lot of hydrogen bonds between one another. In turn, a lot of
energy is needed to break down those bonds.
-breaking the bonds allows individual water molecules to move freely about and have a
higher temperature.
-hydrogen bonds between water molecules absorb the heat when they break and
release heat when they form, which minimizes temperature changes
Water’s high heat of evaporation
-The amount of heat energy needed to change a gram of liquid into gas.
-the evaporation of water off a surface causes a cooling effect.
The lower density of ice
-water’s density varies with temperature.
-Ice—the solid form of water—is less dense than water because of the hydrogen bonds
being spaced out and being relatively apart.
Water’s high polarity
-The two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom within water molecules (H2O) form
polar covalent bonds.
-Water can form hydrogen bonds, which make it a powerful solvent. Water molecules
are attracted to other molecules that contain a full charge, like an ion, a partial charge,
or polar.
Pollutants of Water
and their sources
 Pollution in Water
The contamination of water bodies in simplest words means water pollution.
Thereby the abuse of lakes, ponds, oceans, rivers, reservoirs etc is water
pollution.

Pollution of water occurs when substances that will modify the water in negative
fashion are discharged in it. This discharge of pollutants can be direct as well as
indirect.

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Sources of Water pollution
• The two chief sources of water pollution
can be seen as Point and Non Point.

• Point(direct) refer to the pollutants that

belong to a single source. An example of
this would be emissions from factories
into the water.
• Non Point(indirect) on the other hand
means pollutants emitted from multiple
sources. Contaminated water after rains
that has travelled through several
regions may also be considered as a Non
point source of pollution.
Causes of water pollution
1. Industrial waste: Industries produce huge amount of waste which
contains toxic chemicals and pollutants which can cause air pollution.
- contain pollutants such as lead, mercury, sulphur, asbestos, nitrates and many
other harmful chemicals that have the capability to change the color of water,
increase the amount of minerals, and change the temperature of water and
pose serious hazard to water organisms.
2. Sewage and waste water: The sewage and waste water that is
produced by each household is chemically treated and released in to sea with
fresh water.
-The sewage water carries harmful bacteria and chemicals that can cause
serious health problems. Microorganisms in water are known to be causes of
deadly diseases and breeding grounds for other creatures that act like carriers.
3. Mining activities: Mining is the process of crushing the
rock and extracting coal and other minerals from underground. These
elements when extracted in the raw form contains harmful chemicals
and can increase the amount of toxic elements when mixed up with
water which may result in health problems.

4. Marine dumping: The garbage produce by each

household in the form of paper, aluminum, rubber, glass, plastic, food
if collected and deposited into the sea in some countries. These items
take from 2 weeks to 200 years to decompose. When such items
enters the sea, they not only cause water pollution but also harm
animals in the sea.
5. Accidental Oil leakage: Oil spill pose a huge concern as large
amount of oil enters into the sea and does not dissolve with water; there by
opens problem for local marine wildlife such as fish, birds and sea otters.

6. Burning of fossil fuels: Fossil fuels like coal and oil when burnt
produce substantial amount of ash in the atmosphere. The particles which
contain toxic chemicals when mixed with water vapor result in acid rain.
• 7. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides: Chemical fertilizers and
pesticides are used by farmers to protect crops from insects and bacterias. They
are useful for the plants growth. However, when these chemicals are mixed up
with water produce harmful for plants and animals.

• 8. Leakage from sewer lines: A small leakage from the sewer lines
can contaminate the underground water and make it unfit for the people to
drink.
9. Global warming: An increase in earth’s temperature due
to greenhouse effect results in global warming. It increases the water temperature
and result in death of aquatic animals and marine species which later results in
water pollution.

10. Radioactive waste: Nuclear energy is produced using nuclear

fission or fusion. The element that is used in production of nuclear energy is
Uranium which is highly toxic chemical. Nuclear waste can have serious
environmental hazards if not disposed off properly.
11. Urban development: As more cities and towns are developed, they
have resulted in increase use of fertilizers to produce more food, soil erosion due
to deforestation, increase in construction activities, inadequate sewer collection and
treatment, landfills as more garbage is produced, increase in chemicals from
industries to produce more materials.

12. Leakage from the landfills: Landfills are nothing but huge pile of
garbage that produces awful smell and can be seen across the city. When it rains, the
landfills may leak and the leaking landfills can pollute the underground water with
large variety of contaminants.
13. Animal waste: The waste produce produce by animals is washed away
into the rivers when it rains. It gets mixed up with other harmful chemicals and
causes various water borne diseases like cholera, diarrhea, jaundice, dysentery and
typhoid.

14. Underground storage leakage: Transportation of coal and other

petroleum products through underground pipes is well known. Accidentals leakage
may happen anytime and may cause damage to environment and result in soil
erosion.
Effects of water pollution
• The effects of water pollution are varied.
• They include:
- poisonous drinking water, poisionous food, unbalanced river and lake,
deforestation from acid rain, and many other effects. These effects are, of
course, specific to the various contaminants.
• Water Pollution is common, and is an area of high alert. Water needs to be
preserved and respected today, for us to live a tomorrow.
Water Quality
Parameters (Physical,
Chemical, Biological)
Water Quality
• Water quality testing is an important part of
environmental monitoring. When water quality is
poor, it affects not only aquatic life but the
surrounding ecosystem as well.
• Three parts: Physical, Biological, and Chemical.
 Physical Parameters
These are some physical aspects of water
quality that helps to determine whether water
is polluted or not.

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 1. Color:
• Pure water is colorless. Therefore any types of color
appearance in water indicates water pollution.
• Natural water system is often colored by foreign material. If
color is due to suspended material, it is called as apparent
color. Color given by dissolved material is called true color or
real color.
• The guideline value (maximum acceptable level) for color of
drinking water is 15 TCU (True color unit).

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 Methods of Analysis:
> Visual Comparison Method -color of the sample is
determined by visual comparison with known
concentration or colored prepared by diluting stock
platinum cobalt solution.
> Spectrophotometric Method - Applicable to
potable and both domestic and industrial.

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 2. Turbidity: (DAO 2016-08)
• Pure water is clear and do not absorb light. Therefore if
turbidity appears in water, it indicates water pollution.
• Turbidity in water is given by various materials like suspended
solid, dissolved materials and microbial loads.
Method of Analysis:
➢Nephelometric Method- Based in a comparison of the
intensity of light scattered by the sampler under defined
conditions. Drinking water should have turbidity less than 5
NTU (Naphthalometric turbidity unit)

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 3. Temperature (DAO 2016-08):
• Temperature is not directly used to evaluate whether water is potable
(drinkable) or not.
• In natural water system like lake and river, temperature is very important
physical factor that determines water quality. If temperature increase,
solubility of Oxygen in water decreases.
• Furthermore rise in temperature increases the growth rate of aquatic
microorganism, so they consume dissolved O2 faster and level of
dissolved O2 decreases.
• Similarly, temperature affects disinfection process because efficiency of
disinfection is lower at lower temperature.
Methods of Analysis: Thermometer
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 Effect of Physical Parameters of Water Quality:
Color Temperature
• The color of the water indicates the • Affects metabolic rates and
state of the surrounding biological activities of aquatic
environment or the sediments and organims
particles suspended in the water. • Inhibits plants respiration and
Turbidity photosynthesis
• The suspended sediments that cause • As temperature increases, solubility
turbidity can block light to aquatic of oxygen and other gases decreases
plants, smother aquatic organisms, • Increased solubility of toxic
and carry contaminants and chemicals
pathogens, such as lead, mercury,
and bacteria.
 Chemical Parameters
These are some chemical aspects of water
quality that helps to determine whether water
is polluted or not.

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 1. pH Level (DAO 2016- 08)
• is used to express the intensity of the acid or alkaline condition of
solution or water. The pH scale extends from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very
alkaline) with the middle value of pH 7 (neutral).
• In pH 6.5-8.5 is ideal for most water uses. Between 5.5 and 6.0, most
fish’s species lose their ability to reproduce. The survival of aquatic
organisms diminishes as pH falls below 5 or increases above 9.
Methods of Analysis: Electrometric Method – using pH meter/paper or
electrodes

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 2. Dissolved Oxygen (DAO 2016- 08)
• is the concentration of oxygen dissolved in water – O2. Sources of which are air
in the atmosphere, mixed into the water by waves or fast-moving rivers and
algae and rooted plants.

• Absence of oxygen results to the dominance of anaerobic bacteria which

generates hydrogen sulfide which has an odor of a rotten egg & causes black
coloration of the water body.

Methods of Analysis: The Winkler method with Azide modification- assess

quality of water, pollution, and biological changes by aerobic or anaerobic
organisms. Also used for Biological Oxygen Demand.

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 WINKLER METHOD

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 3. Nutrients (Nitrates & Phosphates) (DAO 2016- 08)

• Nitrates found in sewage discharge, fertilizer run-off and leakage

from septic systems.
• Phosphates is commonly from polyphosphates in detergents, raw
sewage, and run off from farms that use phosphate fertilizers.
• Nutrients are food for algae and water with high amounts of
nutrients produce algae in large quantities. When this algae die,
bacteria decompose them and use up oxygen. This process is called
eutrophication.
• Methods of Analysis: Ultraviolet Spectrophotometric Method -
useful for uncontaminated natural waters and potable water
supplies that have low organic content.
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 4. Heavy Metals (Zinc, Mercury, Lead, and Cadmium)
(DAO 2016- 08)
• are poisonous substances than can cause damage or death to plant
and animal life.
• are totally non-degradable or practically speaking, indestructible,
and so they accumulate in the environment.
• Cadmium and Mercury - builds up toxins if digested.
• Lead – easily absorbable in water.
• Zinc – causes birth defects.

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 Effect of Chemical Parameters of Water Quality:
Chloride Ion Nitrate and Phosphates
• Leads to chemical stratification • Stimulates plant and algae growth
preventing dissolved oxygen to reach which is food fora the fish and other
the lowest part of the body of water. aquatic organisms
• High concentrations of NaCl poses a • Algae overgrowth can lead to decrease
threat to human health and wildlife of oxygen levels and death of aquatic
specially birds. organisms.
• Chloride in surface waters is also toxic
to most aquatic life.
Dissolved Oxygen Other harmful chemicals
• Key factor for aquatic life, used in • TOXIC TO AQUATIC AND
respiration of aquatic organisms. The TERRESTRIAL LIFE
higher the better.
 Biological Parameters
are important factors that determine quality of drinking water.
It is more important than physical and chemical parameters
in terms of direct effect on human health.
Some important biological characteristics affecting
quality of drinking water includes bacteria, protozoa, virus
and algae.

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 1. Bacteriological Aspect (Fecal Colliform) (DAO 2016- 08)
• a coliform bacteria that grows in the digestive tracts of humans and other
warm-blooded animals.

• serves as indicators of fecal contamination and as marker for other possibly

pathogenic microorganisms.

• tells whether the water is free from disease-causing bacteria.

Methods of Analysis: Fecal Analysis – to prevent water borne diseases, assess

the quality of raw and treated water, detect fecal contamination including
estimation of total fecal coliforms.

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 2. Virological aspects of water pollution:
• Drinking water must be free from viruses.
• Some intestinal pathogenic viruses which are transmitted through
contaminated water are- Rotavirus, Poliovirus, Hepatitis A and E,
etc.

Methods of Analysis: Macroscopy, filtration, centrifugation and

microscopy.

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 3. Parasitological aspects of water pollution:
• Drinking water should be free from disease causing parasites.
• Many species of protozoa and helminthes that causes water borne
disease contaminates water through stool of infected patients.
• Some pathogenic parasites are- Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia,
Balantidium coli, etc
Methods of Analysis: Macroscopy, filtration, centrifugation and
microscopy.

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 4. Algae:

• Growth of algae in water affects the quality of water by various

ways.
• Algae gives characteristic color, odor and taste to water. Also algae
prevent penetration of light to bottom of water system affecting
photosynthetic organisms.
• Various algae produces toxic compounds. For examples, Microcystis
produces hepatotoxin, Similarly Anaebaena and Nostoc produces
neurotoxin. Therefore, drinking water should be free from algae.
Methods of Analysis: Macroscopy, filtration, centrifugation and
microscopy.

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 Effect of Biological Parameters
Bacteriological Aspect Algae
• The only harmful bacteria in bodies of • Algae serves as food for aquatic
water to humans or aquatic life are organisms but high concentrations can
pathogens lead to decrease of oxygen levels
• Total coliform bacteria are generally not leading to suffocation of the aquatic
harmful except for fecal coliform organisms.
bacteria which indicates waste
contamination or sewage.
Parasitical Aspect Virological Aspect
• Parasites can harm the health of living • HARMFUL AND IS A THREAT TO
beings exposed to the contaminated HUMAN HEALTH, WILDLIFE, OR
water. AQUATIC LIFE depending on the virus
• Other parasites such as fish parasites
can harm humans or wildlife that
consumes its hosts. Effects vary per
parasite.
WATER QUALITY
GUIDELINES
Standards vs Guidelines

• The difference between these is that standards are

high in authority and limited in application, whereas
design guidelines are low in authority and are more
general in application.
• The best user interface guidelines are high level and
contain widely applicable design principles. The
designer who intends to apply these principles should
know which theoretical evidence supports them and
apply the guidelines at an early stage of the design
life cycle.
 Philippine Standard – DENR DAO 2016-08
Water Quality Guidelines (WQG) for freshwater and
marine waters.
Has Primary and Secondary Parameters:
1. Primary - Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Chlorides,
Nutrients (Nitrate/Phosphate), pH, Temperature, Fecal
Coliform.
2. Secondary – Heavy Metals and Inorganics

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WHO- USEPA Parameters
Standard Methods of
Water Sampling
(Surface Water and Sea
Water)
Water Sampling
There are two types of water
sample:
•Grab sample
•Composite sample
Grab Sample
•A grab sample is a single water sample
collected at one time from a single point.
• A grab sample represents only the
composition of the water at the time and
place the sample was collected.
Grab sampling is suitable when:
✓analyzing situations at specific sites (e.g. maximum density of
coliform bacteria at a bathing beach).
✓analyzing for unstable parameters that have to be measured
right away or on site, e.g., Dissolved Oxygen (DO), temperature,
pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), salinity, etc.
✓a snapshot of water quality at a particular instant is desired
✓ the characteristics of the waters are known to be relatively
constant over time
✓collecting samples to be analyzed for parameters that could be
adversely affected by compositing process. ty of coliform
bacteria at a bathing beach).
Composite Sample
• The Philippine National Standards for Drinking
Water (PNSDW) of 2007 defines composite
sample as a series of individual grab samples
taken at different times from the same
sampling point and mixed together.
• A composite sample may also be a number of
grab samples of equal or weighted volumes
mixed in one container.
There are different types of composite sample.
1.) Fixed Volume Composite Sample. In a fixed volume composite, both
the time interval and the size of sample remain constant. This is used
when the flow rate of the water does not vary more than 15% of the
average flow.
2.) Time Composite Sample. This is collected by mixing samples of
equal volume collected at regular time interval.
3.) Flow-Proportioned Composite Sample. The volume of sample
collected is a proportion of the flow volume. A flow-proportioned
sample can be collected by keeping the time interval constant and
varying the sample volume with the changing water flow.
4.) Depth-Integrated Composite Sample. This is collected in
predetermined depths of the water column in equal sample volumes
and mixed in one container.
Composite samples are preferred when:

➢assessing the total concentration of a substance or

pollutant in water (e.g. total phosphorus potentially
available for phytoplankton growth) or the
population of an organism (e.g. the size of a bacterial
population).
➢ the variables to be assessed are unevenly
distributed.
Sampling Methods
Manual Grab Sampling
• Manual sampling is a technique used for
collecting grab samples for immediate on-site
field analysis.
Direct Sampling with the Sample Container
The sampling procedures are as follows.
1) Put on protective gloves and wading boots.
2) Wade into the water to the center of the river channel.
Face upstream and wait until the plume of sediment has
been carried away or has settled.
3) Rinse the container at least three times with the river
water, throwing the used water downstream of the
sampling location.
4) Lower the sample container into the water face down.
Hold it with one hand on each side to a depth at least 4
inches below the surface or halfway to the bottom of the
stream.
5) Slowly lift the container towards the flow. Fill it to about
4/5 full. Enough space should be left to allow for addition of
preservative, if necessary, and to allow for mixing the sample.
(6) Cap or cover the container and bring the sample to the
working area for the succeeding steps.
Sampling with DO Sampler
This sampler can be improvised and is used as follows:
1. Remove the stopper from the gray sampler lid. Lift the wire lid
retainer up and away from sampler. Remove the lid with inlet tube
attached and slide it up the rope bridle.
2. Remove the cap of the DO bottle and insert into the inner chamber
of the sampler. Place the thermometer in the outer chamber
positioning the scale such that it can be read clearly.
3. Replace the lid of the sampler and insert the inlet tube into the
BOD bottle. Snap the wire retainer into the grooves on the lid.
Press the plastic stopper into the center inlet hole.
4. Attach weights to the large snap ring at the bottom of the sampler.
Clip the nylon line to the loop at the top of the rope bridle with a
snap clamp. The sampler is now ready for use.
5. To take sample from a bridge, lower the sampler down at the center of the river,
stopping just when the brass fastener (between the sampler bridle and the calibrated line)
is at the water surface. This allows for collecting water samples 1 meter below the water
surface.
6. Remove the stopper by quickly pulling the line. Allow water to overflow and flush. The
water sampler is filled when bubbles will no longer appear. It will take about one minute.
7. Retrieve the sampler and read the temperature through the clear sampler body. Record
the water temperature on the data sheet.
8. Place the sampler on a flat surface. Release the wire lid retainer and remove the plastic
lid with the inlet tube attached, sliding it up the rope bridle.
9. Remove the BOD bottle from the inner chamber and carefully set aside for the DO test.
Remove the thermometer and place in a location that does not receive direct sunlight, to
take the air temperature.
Another
DO
Sampler
Sampling (Surface Water)
Samplers

-Kemmerer bottle
-Van Doren sampler
-Bacon bomb sampler
-Dip sampler
Kemmerer Bottle
Kemmerer Bottle
1.Use a properly decontaminated Kemmerer bottle.
Set the sampling device allowing the surface water to
enter tube.
2.Lower the pre-set sampling device to the
predetermined depth. Avoid disturbance of the
bottom.
3.When the Kemmerer bottle is at the required depth,
send the weighted messenger down the suspension
line, closing the sampling device.
4.Retrieve the sampler and discharge the first 10-20
milliliters (mL) from drain to clear potential
contamination from the valve. This procedure may be
repeated.
Van Doren Sampler
Van Doren Sampler
1.Use a properly decontaminated Van Doren sampler.
Set the device allowing surface water to enter the
tube.
2.Lower the pre-set sampling device to the
predetermined depth.
3.When the Van Doren is at the required depth, send
the weighted messenger down the suspension line,
closing the sampling device.
4.Retrieve the sampler and discharge the first 10-20
milliliters (mL) from the drain to clear potential
contamination from the valve. This procedure may be
repeated.
Bacon Bomb Sampler
Bacon Bomb Sampler
1. Lower the bacon bomb sampler carefully to the desired depth, allowing the
line for the trigger to remain slack at all times. When the desired depth is
reached, pull the trigger line until taut. This will allow the sampler to fill.
2. Release the trigger line and retrieve the sampler.
3. Discharge the first 10-20 milliliters (mL) from the drain to clear potential
contamination from the valve. This procedure may be repeated
Dip Sampler
Dip Sampler
1. Assemble the device in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Extend the device to the sample location and collect the sample by dipping
the
sampler into the water.
3. Retrieve the sampler and transfer the sample to the appropriate sample
container(s).
Special Precautions for Surface Water Sampling
• A clean pair of new, non-powdered, disposable gloves will be worn each time
a different location is sampled. The gloves should not come in contact with
the media being sampled and should be changed any time during sample
collection when their cleanliness is compromised.
• Sample containers for samples suspected of containing high concentrations of
contaminants shall be stored separately.
• All background or control samples shall be collected and placed in
separate ice chests or shipping containers.
• Sample collection activities shall proceed progressively from the least
suspected contaminated area to the most suspected contaminated area.
• Samples of waste or highly contaminated media must not be placed in the
same ice chest as environmental (i.e., containing low contaminant levels)
or background samples.
Special Precautions for Surface Water Sampling

• If possible, one member of the field sampling team should take all the
notes and photographs, fill out tags, etc., while the other members
collect the samples.

• Samplers must use new, verified and certified-clean disposable or non

disposable equipment cleaned according to procedures contained in
SESD Operating Procedure for Field Equipment Cleaning and
Decontamination, for collection of samples for trace metals or organic
compound analyses.
Sampling (Sea Water)
➢Dissolved Oxygen Sampling
➢Marine Dissolved Nutrient Sampling
➢Total Nitrogen / Total Phosphorus Sampling
➢Fecal Sampling
Dissolved Oxygen Sampling
Dissolved Oxygen Sampling
• Collection of water at sea (from the Niskin bottle) must be done as
soon as possible after opening the Niskin.
• This is necessary to minimize exchange of oxygen with the head
space in the Niskin which typically results in contamination by
atmospheric oxygen.
• The oxygen samples are drawn into the individually numbered and
calibrated 125mL iodine flasks bottles. The sample should be
analyzed after a period of at least 6-8 hours but within 5 days.
Total Nitrogen / Total Phosphorus Sampling
• Water samples are collected from Niskin bottles into 60 ml
polyethylene bottles.
• Both filtered and unfiltered water samples are collected. For
unfiltered samples,
• Water samples are collected directly into 20 ml graduated cylinders
that have been rinsed 3 times with sample water. 20 ml of sample
water is measured into the graduated cylinder and transferred to
the sample bottle.
• Samples are stored on ice or in the freezer until analysis.
• For filtered samples, water samples are collected into new or pre-
acid-cleaned 60 ml syringes with 0.45 µm SFCA syringe filter
attached to them.
Fecal Sampling
• Fecal samples are collected from the surface of the water using
sterile 250 ml polyethylene bottles (obtained from anchester Lab).
• The sample bottle is place in a metal ‘sampler’ and lowered to
the water surface. The bottle is dipped under the surface until full,
returned to the deck, capped and placed on ice until analysis.
• Materials:
Sterile 250 ml polyethylene bottles
Metal fecal bottle samplers
Status of Local
Surface Water
(Mindanao)
TALOMO RIVER WATER QUALITY:
The December 2012 Data
•The study was conducted to determine the
quality of water in Talomo River on three
different parts of the area. Samples were
gathered and sent to Davao Analytical
Laboratories, Inc.(DALINC) for analysis on the
following parameters: Dissolved Oxygen (DO),
pH level, conductivity, Chemical Oxygen
Demand(COD) and phosphate, sulfate,
cadmium, lead and chromium concentration.
• Dissolved oxygen is the amount of gaseous oxygen which is present in an aqueous
solution.
• Field tests for this activity are done on a particular site wherein only grab samples
should be used and should be performed immediately. It is more specifically essential
for aquatic life.
• According to the River Pollution Index ( RPI), the standard value
for dissolved oxygen content with amount of higher than 6.5
mg/L determines that the water is non(slightly)-polluted.
• According to Oram (n.d.), the normal range for pH in surface
water systems is 6.5 to 8.5 and for groundwater systems 6 to
8.5. Based on the data gathered, the pH level of water:
downstream - at 8:28 AM is 7.9;
water upstream - at 8:00 AM has pH level of 7.8;
middle stream - at 8:21 AM is also 7.8.
• Based on the findings, the water in Talomo River is slightly basic
since it has an average pH level of more than 7 by approximately
0.8.
• Conductivity is usually connected directly to the total
dissolved solids (T.D.S.). Based on the data, the conductivity
of water:
Downstream- at 8:28 AM is 184 µS/cm;
Water upstream- at 8:00AM is 188 µS/cm;
Middle Stream- 194 µS/cm at 8:21 AM
. According to MBH Engineering Systems, the standard
aqueous conductivity of a totally pure water is 0.055 µS/cm -
1055 µS/m for potable water while for reverse osmosis (RO)
water is 50- 100 µS/cm. Reverse osmosis is a process when
the water is purified of solutes.
• In the data gathered, the COD or Chemical Oxygen
demand of water sample from the downstream of the
river is 15.2 mgO2/L; 22.9 mgO2/L for the water
upstream; and
• According to Chalapathi, et. al., Chemical Oxygen
Demand is a measure of water and wastewater
quality.
• Therefore, water with high COD shows that there is
inadequate oxygen available in the water and there
would be more organic pollutant present. This shows
that the water of Talomo River has low pollution level.
• The water downstream of Talomo River contains 0.10 ppm of
phosphate; 0.11 ppm for water upstream; and 0.11 ppm for the water
middle stream.
• According to Minard (2013), phosphate in water allows plants and
animals to grow and function and is an element needed for strong
bones and teeth.
• Based on the findings, the amount of phosphate found in water
sample of Talomo River is enough because, according to Osmond, et.
al. (n.d.), there should be about 0.1 mg/l or 0.1 ppm of phosphate in
streams or rivers. However, high concentration of phosphate causes
rapid growth of algae and weeds that may choke the waterway and
use large amounts of oxygen
Based on the results obtained,
• the water downstream has 6.9 ppm of Sulfate;
• 10.9 ppm - water upstream;
and 12.8 ppm - water middle stream.
According to the MDH or Minnesota Department of
Health (2012), if sulfate in water exceeds 250 mg/L or 250
ppm, the water might have a bitter or medicinal taste. And
according to WHO or the World Health Organization (n.d.),
the amount of sulfate in drinking water should be at most 500
mg/L or 500 ppm. Higher sulfate levels in water could have
laxative effects and may harm the animals that depend on it.
• Based on the laboratory results, there were no
cadmium, lead and chromium detected from the
water samples of Talomo River.

• Based on the findings and results, it is concluded that

the Talomo River is safe for aquatic organisms that
inhabit the river and the people living near or around
it; and its water is potable and safe for drinking and
has good quality.
Proposed Actions:
• Various measures can be done to develop and
maintain water quality and protection of the Talomo
River. First
1. To have a controlled population or number of
people that are using the water source
2. To avoid disposing waste products near or directly
to the river.
3. To create linkages for establishments to educate
the people who are living near or around the river