Losxel L. Estrada, Assessment of Physicochemical and Bacteriological Quality of the Linan River in Tupi, South Cotabato

Clean water is essential for environmental water sources, particularly when it serves as a fundamental requirement for various living organisms. Mount Matutum Protected Landscape (MMPL) encompasses multiple river sources in Tupi, including the Linan River, which is interconnected with tributaries that flow to lower localities such as Cebuano and Bololmala. This study focused on evaluating the potential contamination of river water by utilizing one of the tributaries of the Linan River and assessing its current classification based on the latest surface water categories established by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The measured physicochemical parameters, including pH, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, and salinity, were found to be within the standard limits across six collected samples. However, the dissolved oxygen (DO) values fell below the required threshold for water quality assessment. Conversely, the bacteriological profile of the river revealed elevated counts of total and fecal coliforms, exceeding the established standards by over 126 and 120 times, respectively, with levels surpassing 2800, consequently classifying it as Class D. Human and animal defecation, agricultural activities, and laundry practices were identified as the potential primary contributors to the contamination in the study area. Given that the Linan River is part of the Mount Matutum Protected Landscape, it is crucial for the government to implement effective water treatment measures or strengthen existing protection mechanisms to mitigate the contamination risks and preserve the integrity of this ecologically significant region. By highlighting the contamination issues in the Linan River tributary, this research underscores the importance of ensuring the cleanliness and sustainability of environmental water sources in the Mount Matutum Protected Landscape. The findings call for immediate action to address the identified pollution sources and protect the overall water quality in the region, promoting the long-term conservation of this invaluable natural resource.