|
Thursday, February 26, 2004
2 polluted rivers not hopeless: EMB
By Liberty A. Pinili
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
ALTHOUGH Butuanon and Guada-lupe rivers are polluted, the condition of the two bodies of water are not “hopeless,” according to the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 7.
The EMB 7 said organic pollutants in Hilutungan and Olango channels are “not serious threats” because these do not have adverse effect on economic activities in the area.
Water samples taken from Guadalupe and Butuanon rivers contain very high levels of coliform bacteria.
In Butuanon, water samples taken near the bridges in Camboga-ong, Butuanon, Canduman and Tingub, and close to the Greenhills subdivision, Pilit and Old Pilit have zero dissolved oxygen (DO).
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in the river water ranged from 3.4 milligrams per liter (mg/l) to 334 mg/l.
Highly polluted
Levels of fecal coliform, bacteria found in the feces of animals and humans, ranged from 3,000 to 24,000 most probable number per 100 milliliters (MPN/100 ml).
All these indicators reveal that the river is highly polluted.
Wastewater from industries, houses and commercial establishments are discharged into Butuanon river, EMB 7 reported.
Water samples taken from Guadalupe river, on the other hand, had coliform levels ranging from 83 million to 630 million MPN/100 ml.
The EMB 7 stressed that rehabilitation program for the two rivers must be continued to prevent the pollution from becoming worse.
The Metro Cebu Environmental Improvement Council is implementing a rehabilitation project for the rivers in Guadalupe and Butuanon.
Water quality monitoring by EMB 7 also found organic pollutants in Hilutungan channel (the sea between Mactan Island and Olango) and Olango channel (the sea between Olango island and Bohol).
The EMB 7 said the possible sources of contamination in Hilutungan channel is
Carajay creek that connects Hilutungan and Mactan channel (the sea between mainland Cebu and Lapu-Lapu City).
The water off Olango is mainly used for fishery, while Hilutungan channel is mainly for tourism and navigation.
(February 26, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
