Water Analysis of Drinking Water in San Antonio, Northern Samar

AUTHOR(S)

LADY DARYL ALANDINO BERBON

ABSTRACT

— Water is arguably the most basic and most important part of everyday life. Yet, for billions of people worldwide, clean and safe drinking water remains a dream. “Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004” envisions providing safe and accessible drinking water. The study aimed to conduct an analysis of the drinking water in San Antonio, Northern Samar. In the analysis of the drinking water, it used the following parameters which include physical (color and turbidity); chemical (pH, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, salinity, chloride, and total alkalinity); and microbiological (fecal coliform count, heterotrophic form count, E. coli form and coliform count) parameters of the source of drinking water. It employed descriptive-assessment research with the laboratory analysis of the water samples. Three Barangays from San Antonio, Northern Samar passed the criteria where their main source of drinking water is coming from a publicly owned Jet Matic pump located in the vicinity of their barangay, and most of the residents are using this Jet Matic pump as their main source for drinking water. The identified barangays were Brgy. Vinisitahan, Brgy. Pilar, and Brgy. Manraya. It was found out that a high concentration of suspended particles, which results in a high-level color compound, does not affect the quality of the drinking water. Water samples coming from Brgy. Pilar and Brgy Manraya have a pH level that indicates that the water samples are acidic, which is not suitable for human consumption. The same barangay was revealed to have a high total alkalinity level that indicates water contamination, while other parameters were undetectable and show nonsignificant factors to any water-related issues. All water samples from the identified Barangay submitted for microbiological components show that all water sources are contaminated with different coliform and bacteria, suggesting a potential risk for any waterborne diseases. The quality of drinking water sources is also affected by the environmental structure of the Jet Matic pump. Most of them are not in good structure, and the surrounding area also affects the quality of the water. Keywords — Water Analysis, water quality, drinking water, physical property of water, chemical property of water, microbial property