CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Rationale of the Study

Indeed, water is a very precious natural resource on Earth, covering 71 percent of

the Earth’s surface, making it the most abundant compound on Earth. It is the main

constituent of Earth's streams, lakes, and oceans, and the fluids of most living organisms.

The available volume of this fluid on the planet is recycled through a well-coordinated

system between the earth and the atmosphere, ‘the hydrologic cycle’, which means that

despite a rapidly growing population, the volume of available and accessible freshwater is

roughly the same. However, the significant increase in the world’s population,

industrialization and urbanization, together with climate change, results in an increasing

demand for water and has serious consequences on the environment. More than a billion

people currently live in water-scarce regions, and as many as 3.5 billion could experience

water scarcity by 2025 [2].

One of the nations which is experiencing a problem in water is the Philippines [3].

In fact, access to clean and adequate water remains a critical problem in urban and coastal

areas. As shown in the study of [Water Environment Partnership in Asia], 31 percent of

illnesses over a five year period were caused by water-borne sources, water shortage

during dry seasons, and million metric tons of organic pollution produced annually by

domestic (48 percent), agricultural (37 percent), and industrial (15 percent) sectors. [4]

The coastlines in the Philippines, particularly in Mactan, Cebu may experience these

problems. A recent article in the local newspaper, Sunstar, dated March 03, 2016, revealed
the findings of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources that high levels of

fecal bacteria were found in the seawater off some public beaches in Lapu-Lapu City [5].

Hence giving the researchers the initiative to conduct a study concerning the quality of

water in the coastline of Mactan.

This study aims to determine the quality of water in Mactan coastline, if it is safe for

swimming. Human activities also affect the beaches of Mactan, so this study aims to

educate the public with the current water situation in the Mactan coastline, and come up

with measures to prevent water pollution. If harmful chemicals are discovered to be

present in the waters of Mactan, it would greatly affect the tourism industry, health and

livelihood of the Filipinos in the island. Thus, the conduct of the study.

Statement of the Problem

The study aims to establish whether the coastline in Mactan, particularly in a beach

resort in Sitio Malingin, Barangay Punta Engañ o, is safe for swimming.

Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

a. What description can be given to the surrounding environment of the water

source?

b. What identified presence or absence of tested chemical species and its

implications to swimmers?

c. What is the level of swimmers’ satisfaction in relation to the coast’s

swimmability?

d. What management’s best practices can be determined to preserve swimmability

of the coast?
 e. What solutions can be provided on how to maintain and/or enhance coasts’

swimmability?

Significance of the Study

The study is significant to the following sectors of the society:

Swimmers. This study can increase public awareness, especially to the tourists and

residents of Mactan Island, who frequently swim in the beaches of Punta Engañ o, of the

health impacts of water pollution in the beaches.

Residents. Water is often polluted by the waste material and untreated sewage of

the residents of Mactan. With this study, the people can be able to realize the consequences

of their actions, and instill discipline in themselves to practice proper waste disposal.

Business Community. Since major hotels and resorts depend much on the tourism

industry, this study can initiate the hotel industry and other business sectors to collaborate

with the government, and become involved in decision making policies that affect water

management policies.

Scientific Community. The severity of this problem will impact the scientific

community, and make them conduct further studies that will solve wastewater treatment

problems, and adopt modern technologies that will help reduce waste.

Local Government Units. the government has passed the Clean Water Act of 2004

to ensure the quality of the water in the Philippines. This study will inform the local

government units of the importance to implement properly and enforce the law, so that

violators will be punished accordingly.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study is limited to a shoreline in Mactan, specifically in the coastline of Pang

Eng Tan’s beach resort in Barangay Punta Engañ o. Swimming in contaminated water can

cause serious health problems, thus this study aims to test for the presence of any

contaminants that may affect the swimmability of the beaches. It also brings awareness to

the people of the different contaminants threatening the coastline of Mactan, thereby

helping them protect their clean water. This study tests fundamental properties of the

water, such as color, odor, temperature, and water pH. Qualitative tests for the presence of

chemical species are performed. These included tests for the presence of dissolved

oxygen, lead, chloride, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, sulfate, perchlorate, copper, phosphate,

and Litmus Paper test. Tests involving flame are not included such as tests for fluoride,

nitrate, carbon dioxide, flames tests and organic matter test. Specific tests for other

biological species (such as coliform bacteria) or organic matter, and the amount of each

chemical species tested are not included.

Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined operationally by the study:

Absence. This refers to the state of chemical species not present in the water

sample

Chemical analysis . This is a method of analyzing water samples.

Coast. It is the part of the land next to the sea.

Mactan. This geographical feature is an island, known for its tourist spots and

attractions, located a few kilometers from Cebu, Philippines

Presence. This refers to the state of chemical species present in the water sample

Punta Engaño. This unit is a barangay in Lapu-Lapu City where the water sample is

obtained

Qualitative. The word is associated with the presence or absence of chemical

species in the water sample

Satisfaction. This refers to the extent of the contentment of the swimmers towards

the beach

Swimmability. This term refers to the potential safety of a body of water to be swum

upon.