A Cross-Sectional Study on the Extent of Fecal Contamination of Cagayan De Oro River along Five Urban Barangays and the Factors Affecting Contamination, October 2007 - January 2008

Abstract

A cross-sectional study to determine the extent of fecal contamination of Cagayan de Oro river along five different urban barangays namely Barangay Macasandig, Barangay Puntod, Barallgay Macabalan, Branagay Carmen alld Marcos bridge (Barangay Consolacion) was conducted from October 2007 to January 2008. The Multiple Tube Fermentation Technique (MTFT) was used to identify the presence of fecal coliform in the five different sampling periods done every 2 weeks as well as confirm the presence of the indicator organism Escherichia coli in the water samples. A survey was also conducted to determine the possible factors that contribute to fecal contamination of the river. The Total fecal coliform values computed showed a high average MPN (Most Probable Number) score from all five sample areas which exceeded the standard acceptable value set by Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council National water quality guidelines (ANZECC, 2000) at 150 fecal coliform organisms/100mL. Macasandig show the highest mean MPN value of ~400 fecal coliforms/100 ml, followed by the following Barangay arranged from highest to lowest; Puntod (2140 fecal coliforms/100 ml), Carmen (1880 fecal coliforms 1100 ml), Macabalan (1624 fecal coliforms/100 ml), and Marcos Bridge (Consolacion) site (844 fecal coliforms/100 mI). The presence of E. coli was also confirmed indicating fecal contamination of the water samples. The factors that may have a contribution to the river's fecal contamination were: (/) the disposal of pet/livestock manure in the river, which was highest in Macasandig, (2) the number of comfort rooms draining to the river for those who have comfort rooms, and (3) the disposal of human wastes into the river for those who don't have comfort rooms.

 

Keywords: Focus Contamination, Urban Barangay