Study shows no contamination at Bao River

THREE separate water analysis from water samples taken from Bao River, Leyte, where a steam pipeline was busted after the March 1 landslide at the Energy Development Corporation’s geothermal project, show no contamination of the chemical boron.

In a report filed to its central office in Manila, the Environmental Management Bureau in Eastern Visayas (EMB) revealed that the three separate analysis, assessment and evaluation were conducted on the water samples taken from Bao River show “no significant impact to the receiving water bodies as far as boron contamination is concerned.”

Water analyses were conducted separately by the EMB, the Multipartite Monitoring Team (MMT) of the Leyte Geothermal Project and the independent Manila-based Ostrea Mineral Laboratories, Inc.

In the laboratory findings of the EMB-8, the reports showed that the amount of boron (0.22 parts/million) is still below the acceptable standard in the country which is .75 parts/million. While the acidity or the basicity value of 7.10 is also within the acceptable standard.

The MMT-Leyte Geothermal Project results for the same water analysis revealed that boron concentration is at 0.22ppm, which is within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) standards.

The Ostrea laboratory findings showed that boron content of the water sample was <0.1 ppm which is below the DENR Standard for Class D waters, such as the Bao River, which is 0.75 ppm. Likewise, the result is also within the Boron Variance in Water Quality Criteria for Geothermal Exploration as provided in the DENR Memorandum Circular 2000-03 which is 2.0 ppm.

Based on the results, EMB regional director Letecia Maceda said that the landslide incident at the EDC Upper Mahiao, Kananga, Leyte has no significant impact to the receiving water bodies as far as boron contamination is concerned.

Fear of chemical contamination on the waters where the EDC pipeline was busted due to the landslide were raised immediately after the incident.

The site of the incident was just about five kilometers away from Bao River.

It was learned that boron is a chemical element said to be inherent in any water spring. Low presence of boron could serve as a nutrient to plants while its high concentration could lead to stunted growth.

Earlier, the Department of Energy directed the EDC to suspend any geothermal operation in the area until further notice. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)