Case
Case
Case
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
A Case Study
Presented to
Presented by
Cheska E. Barrientos
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The researchers would like to express their sincere appreciation and profound gratitude for the
invaluable assistance given by the people behind the success of this study:
Heavenly Father, for providing the researchers with strength, power, knowledge, and wisdom;
Central Luzon State University - College of Fisheries for accommodating the researchers and
allowing them to use their laboratory and equipment;
Dr. Alvin T. Reyes Ph.D., for the assistance and guidance to the researchers throughout the
laboratory process;
Engr. Rosel Verdadero Babalcon, the professor in-charge for her consistent assistance,
motivation, and monitoring of the processes the researchers went through until the completion of the
study;
The respondents from Cabanatuan City, for their full cooperation that led to the completion and
success of this study;
The family, friends, and relatives of the researchers for their unconditional love and endless
provisions;
To God be the Highest Glory!
The result of the laboratory testing was scored and weighted in compliance with the World
Health Organization and Environmental Protection Agency standards for drinking Water. It was then
observed that all water samples were not fit to pass as drinking water, and all were labeled as being at
risk for water contamination.
INTRODUCTION
Groundwater is a vital resource for many regions around the world and is often the primary
source of drinking water for rural and urban communities (Ebrahimi et al., 2020). The quality of
groundwater can be influenced by a variety of natural and anthropogenic factors, including land use
change, agricultural practices, industrial activities, and mining (Dahal et al., 2018). These factors can
impact the chemical and biological properties of groundwater and affect its suitability for various uses,
including drinking water, irrigation, and industrial purposes.
Assessing the quality and quantity of groundwater resources is critical for effective
management and sustainable use (Babiker et al., 2008). Methods for assessing groundwater resources
include groundwater modeling, monitoring of groundwater levels and water quality, and the use of
remote sensing technologies (Hao et al., 2020). Regular assessments can help to identify potential
contamination sources and implement measures to prevent and mitigate their impacts on groundwater
quality.
Theoretical Framework
Identification Sensitivity
Interpretation
of Parameter Analysis
Weight
Aggregation
assignment
Normalization Scoring
BACKGROUND
Groundwater is an essential resource that plays a critical role in sustaining ecosystems and
human livelihoods. It is a primary source of drinking water for many communities around the world,
especially in regions where surface water is scarce or contaminated (Gleeson et al., 2012). According
to Freeze and Cherry (1979), groundwater is stored in underground aquifers, typically composed of
permeable rocks and sediments that allow water to move through them.
The quality of groundwater is influenced by a range of natural and human-induced factors,
including geological processes, land use practices, and pollution from agricultural and industrial
activities (USGS, n.d.). As Chilton (2019) notes, the availability of groundwater can also be affected
by climate change, which can alter patterns of precipitation and evapotranspiration and lead to changes
in recharge rates.
To ensure the sustainable management of groundwater resources, it is important to conduct
regular assessments of water quality and quantity (WHO, 2011). This can involve monitoring
groundwater levels, tracking water quality indicators such as pH and dissolved oxygen, and analyzing
samples for contaminants such as pesticides and heavy metals (USGS, n.d.).
Parameters
Assessing the quality of underground water in Cabanatuan involves analyzing various
parameters that determine its suitability for human consumption and other uses. The following are some
of the essential factors to consider when assessing the quality of underground water in Cabanatuan:
Temperature
Temperature is an important parameter in assessing the quality of water resources as it affects
chemical and biological reactions and can indicate the presence of pollutants.
Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved oxygen is a critical parameter in determining water quality, as it is essential for
aquatic life and can provide insights into the degree of organic pollution and other environmental
stressors in a water body. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), healthy water should
generally have dissolved oxygen concentrations above 6.5-8 ppm and between about 80-120 %
To assess the quality of underground water in Cabanatuan, water samples need to be collected from
various sources and analyzed for the above parameters. The results can then be compared to the
recommended limits for each parameter to determine the suitability of the water for human consumption
and other uses.
METHODOLOGY
General Procedures
Physico-chemical and
Collection of the Treatment of the Bacteriological
groundwater samples groundwater samples Analysis of the
from pumps
samples
Water Collection
Total of four (4) bottles of groundwater were collected from selected Barangays of Cabanatuan
City which are: Daan Sarile, Balite, Calauagan, and Aduas. Each bottle contains 1000 milliliters of
water. Samples were iced, transported to the laboratory, and processed within five hours after
collection.
Other samples were asked from our co-researchers, namely Reiner Aviado, Jose Brian Agsalud,
John Lemmor Candelaria, Jerald Anthony Bartolome, and Rainnier Dexter Quierrez from their study
entitled “Groundwater Assessment in Barangay Isla”, as both of the study undergone an exact physico-
chemical and bacteriological analysis regarding groundwaters in Cabanatuan City under the same
consultant, Mr. Alvin T. Reyes.
Treatment and Experimental design
The water samples were labeled 1,2,3, and 4 respectively and diluted into 3 appropriate
concentrations for plating with 3 replications each sample.
The details of the concentration are as follows:
Sample 1 Groundwater from Daan Sarile
Concentration 100 >>>>>> pure water sample
Concentration 101 >>>>>> 1:10 (water sample: distilled water)
Concentration 102 >>>>>> 1:100 (water sample: distilled water)
Sample 2 Groundwater from Balite
Concentration 100 >>>>>> pure water sample
Concentration 101 >>>>>> 1:10 (water sample: distilled water)
Concentration 102 >>>>>> 1:100 (water sample: distilled water)
Sample 3 Groundwater from Calauagan
Concentration 100 >>>>>> pure water sample
Concentration 101 >>>>>> 1:10 (water sample: distilled water)
Concentration 102 >>>>>> 1:100 (water sample: distilled water)
Physico-chemical Analysis
Each sample contained 100 mL (milliliters) of water, which was put into a graduated cylinder.
Calibrated digital equipment was utilized to measure the parameters, including pH level, TDS (total
dissolve solids), temperature, pressure, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen.
Bacteriological Analysis
Preparation of Agar
The researcher prepared 40.12g of McConkey agar after that, the agar is then heated for 2hrs
with 810 milliliters of distilled water at the temperature of 100 oC and then transferred into a poly- Stene
petri dish, then cooled at room temperature.
Spread Plate and Serial Dilution
One milliliter of a sample and sample dilutions was aseptically pipetted into a pre-dried agar
plate standard round, 100 by 15 mm, poly- Stene petri dish. Serial dilutions of the water samples were
prepared by addition of distilled water. Spread plates were prepared in triplicate as described in Standard
Methods’ (Taylor, R.H. et, al). Samples of appropriate dilutions [a maximum inoculum of 1 mL) were
pipetted onto pre-poured and dried plate count agar and then the contents were spread evenly over the
surface with a sterile bent glass rod.
Data Gathering and Score & Weight Assessment
The data gathered were the Ph level, TDS (total dissolve solids), temperature, pressure,
conductivity, dissolved oxygen and total coliform colonies. The method used in the analysis of water
samples was through the use of calibrated digital equipment. Meanwhile, bacterial enumeration and
identification were conducted using serial dilution and spread plate method using a selective/differential
medium, the McConkey agar.
Data gathered were analyzed using the scoring system of the World Health Organization
(WHO) for the accepted parameter values of drinking water.
Total Total
Dissolved Escherichia Edwardsiella
Temperature Dissolved Conductivity Pressure Coliform
Oxygen pH coli Count spp. Count
(°C) Solids (µmhos/cm) (psi) Count
(ppm) (CFU/mL) (CFU/mL)
(ppm) (CFU/mL)
Sample 1 1.5 x 10 3
23.5 4.83 7.08 271 582 14.58 1.5 x 103 --
(Daan Sarile)
Sample 2
23.90 3.58 6.62 271 429 14.58 5.9 x 102 1.1 x 10 4 4.4 x 10 2
(Balite)
Sample 3
23.20 3.40 6.71 163 332 14.58 8.0 x 102 1.1 x 10 3 1.9 x 10 3
(Calauagan)
Sample 4
23.30 5.39 6.74 332 693 14.58 1.8 x 102 -- --
(Aduas)
Sample 5
27.30 3.32 6.84 326 -- 14.61 10 1.1 x 10 4 1.1 x 10 4
(Isla)
Sample 6
27.25 3.17 6.64 279 -- 14.61 20 47 67
(Pagas)
Table 1: Physico-chemical analysis and Bacteriological Analysis
Weighted
Physico-chemical Analysis Bacteriological Analysis
Score
Total
Total
Dissolved Dissolved Conductivity Edwardsiella
Temperature pH Escherichia Coliform
Oxygen Solids (µmhos/cm) spp. Count
(°C) 6.5- coli Count Count
(ppm) (ppm) <1000 (CFU/mL)
20-50°C 8.5 (CFU/mL) (CFU/mL)
6.5-8 ppm 50-150 µmhos/cm Zero
(5%) (10%) (20%) Zero
(15%) ppm (5%) (20%)
(20%)
(5%)
Sample 1
(Daan 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0
Sarile)
0.05 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.20 0.00 0.40
Sample 2
1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
(Balite)
0.05 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.20
Sample 3
1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
(Calauagan)
0.05 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.20
Sample 4
1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1
(Aduas)
0.05 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.20 0.20 0.60
Sample 5
1 0 1 0 0 0.25 0 0
(Isla)
0.05 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.20
Sample 6
1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
(Pagas)
0.05 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.15
Table 2: Scores and Weight Assignment
1 – safe
0.75 – low risk
0.50 – medium risk
0.25 – high risk
0 – extremely high risk
**for Escherichia coli count
0 – not succeeded to comply with WHO and EPA standards
1 – succeeded to comply with WHO and EPA standards
Physico-chemical Analysis
Temperature
The temperature of the water samples varied from 23.2 °C to 27.3 °C and were found within the
recommended temperature range.
pH
Most of the waters are slightly acidic. The pH values of water samples varied between 6.62 to 7.08 and
were found within the recommended pH range for drinking water (6.5 to 8.5), indicating that there’s no
water contamination in terms of just the water samples’ pH values.
Bacteriological Analysis
Coliform Count
Five samples are positive to coliform bacteria and were found at risk for water contamination. Only the
groundwater from Barangay Aduas was labeled safe.
Sample Weighted Score Is the groundwater where the sample collected is used as a
Ratings source of drinking water?
1 Medium Risk No
2 High Risk No
3 High Risk No
4 Low Risk No
5 High Risk No
6 High Risk No
Table 3: Weighted Score Assessment and Drinking Usage
Table 3 shows that Samples 2, 3, 5, and 6 are at high risk when used as drinking water. On the
other hand, Sample 1 is at medium risk and Sample 4 is at low risk. As suggested by the drinking water
standards, the results explain the choices of the respondents for not using groundwater as a source of
drinking water since all the samples are at risk of contamination.
RECOMMENDATIONS
This study recommends treating groundwater that is positive for coliform bacteria by using
chlorine or ultraviolet light which can kill E-coli. Utilization of chlorine must be applied to get rid of
microorganisms in the drinking water. It is necessary to disinfect systems that use surface water sources
to make sure that all bacterial contamination, including the inactivation of E. coli.
It also recommends testing for other parameters that are included in the quality index and this
includes the materials (such as nitrate, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, chloride sulfates, fluoride, iron,
and total phosphorus) present in the water.
Collection of additional samples from different parts of Cabanatuan City for accurate findings
of a quality assessment of groundwater.
Ebrahimi, H., Bonakdari, H., & Sadeghian, S. (2020). A comprehensive review of water quality
assessment indices. Journal of Environmental Management, 268, 110668.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110668
Freeze, R. A., & Cherry, J. A. (1979). Groundwater. Prentice-Hall, Inc. ISBN: 978-0133653126.
Gleeson, T., Wada, Y., Bierkens, M. F. P., & van Beek, L. P. H. (2012). Water balance of global aquifers
revealed by groundwater footprint. Nature, 488(7410), 197–200.
https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11295
Hao, Y., Zhou, Y., Jia, Y., & Yang, X. (2020). Remote sensing technology for groundwater resources:
a review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27(22), 27051-27061.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-09110-2
Ong, S. K., Angeles, J. M., Dela Cruz, L. M., & Villaflor, J. D. (2017). Microbial quality of groundwater
sources in Cabanatuan City, Philippines. Journal of Environmental Science and Management,
20(2), 74-82.
United States Geological Survey (USGS). (n.d.). Groundwater Basics. https://www.usgs.gov/special-
topic/water-science-school/science/groundwater-basics?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-
science_center_objects
World Health Organization (WHO). (2011). Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. 4th Edition.
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/97892415481
SAMPLE 1
SAMPLE 2 SAMPLE 3
SAMPLE 4