CAESAR ALFONSO J. STA. MARIA (MARCH 2010)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
Water is an essential component in the life processes of known life forms on Earth. However, as human territories expand, more and more bodies of water are used as dumpsites for human waste, such activities harm water-dependent organisms due to the presence of disease-causing bacteria in the contaminated water.
This study aimed to determine the quality of the water from the Brgy. Bito-on coastal area by testing for fecal coliform bacteria, specifically Escherichia coli-an accurate indicator of contamination by organisms found in the intestinal track of warm- blooded organisms.
Three sampling sites were chosen and the samples were tested using the Multiple Tube Fermentation Method. This method utilized Lauryl Tryptose Broth as the medium for the presumptive test and EC Broth for the confirmative test of each water sample.
The Most Probable Number (MPN) value obtained from the number of positive tubes was compared to the DENR standard for the quality of recreational waters which is 200 MPN per 100 mL sample in order to verify the viability of the corresponding sampling sites for human use.
The study confirmed the presence of fecal coliform, E. coli in all the water samples taken. Calculated MPN values indicate figures greater than 1,100 MPN per 100mL, and thus have exceeded the DENR-regulated standards rendering the coastal waters of Brgy. Bito-on unsafe for human use due to the increased risk of fecal coliform infection.