Download Assesment of the Coliform Contamination in Sampaloc, Mojicap and

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE COLIFORM CONTAMINATION IN THE SAMPALOC,
CALIBATO AND MOHICAP LAKE WATERS AND SELECTED SPRINGS
Marvin R. Rebosura
Department of Environmental Science
School of Science and Engineering
Ateneo de Manila University
Loyola Heights, Quezon City
ABSTRACT
The San Pablo lakes are important bodies of water that are essential to the life of
the inhabitants. The lakes are sources of food as well as livelihood. The quality of the
lake water is important to the health of fishermen and also to the quality of the
aquaculture products. Several springs in the vicinity of the lakes are the primary sources
of drinking water. The quality of the spring waters is very critical because fecal
contamination can bring about an array of diseases. These water sources were tested
for the presence of the coliform group of bacteria, specifically those of the fecal origin.
Analyses were done on water samples taken from selected sites for a period of five
months. Fecal contamination was determined by using the multiple tube fermentation
technique. The results indicated that all lakes and springs are fecally contaminated. All
springs did not pass the recommended standard for drinking water. It was observed that
the peripheries of the lakes Mohicap and Calibato had a much higher concentration of
coliforms than the centers, primarily because of the presence of near-shore residential
houses. Coliform concentrations in Sampaloc Lake are higher than the range of the
MTF so no conclusion can be made regarding the difference between center and
periphery concentrations. The results show that all three lakes are classified as Class C
lakes.