DRINKING WATER RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND MAPPING OF BARANGAY SAN VICENTE, BANGA, SOUTH COTABATO

The study of Drinking Water Resource Assessment and Mapping of Barangay San Vicente, Banga, South Cotabato aims to assess the condition of the drinking water sources of the barangay according to the standard values for physico-chemical and bacteriological quality, which includes: Total Coliform, Fecal Coliform, E. coli, Dissolved Oxygen, Hardness, Electrical Conductivity, Turbidity, Nitrate, Phosphate, ph, and water temperature. Another purpose is to map out the water sources and to provide data as benchmarks for barangay and municipal planning and development programs for public health and improved water systems. Samples were gathered from ten different water sources and results were compared to the standard values given by Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW), World Health Organization (WHO), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Using the Bucket Method, flowrates were determined. Using Google Maps, the drinking water sources were plotted in a base map of Barangay San Vicente, and points were gathered using the phone application Location on Phone. The study also included interviews in the study area to recognize the problems experienced by the residents regarding their water systems. Some water sources were found out to have shortages and areas with lack of cleaning and maintenance works were also identified. Increase in the number of water outlets is a necessity in some areas of the barangay. With the on-site testing performed, it was concluded that the drinking water of Brgy. San Vicente, Banga, South Cotabato is potable. The result, though, did not include laboratory testing of bacteriological parameter due to the unexpected COV1D19 pandemic. Moreover, without E. coli test, WQI calculation was not performed