Materials and Equipment

Research Instrument

The researchers used a questionnaire as an initial action to assess the water potability of

water within the chosen locations. Water collection and sampling were commenced in which

samples obtained were then subjected to analysis wherein the presence of physicochemical and

coliforms from the water tanks of each purok in Don Salvador Benedicto was determined. The

physicochemical test and coliform test were performed in a separate laboratory. The

questionnaire was divided into three categories: Water consumption, water tank management,

and related health issues. The questionnaire was based on the study of Dabalos (2020), stating

the questions in the first and second categories. The questions were written in the Hiligaynon

dialect for easier understanding for the people in the barangay to answer.

The following materials and equipment were utilized:

Questionnaire. A valid material that was used for the evaluation of the water quality in

connection to the current health of the residents. Included in this item are the assessment

concerning water consumption, the management of the tank in the designated area, and the health

issues that could be related to the utilization of water within the area.

Ethical Consideration
This study underwent special consideration with the respondents as to the result of the study

being obtained. The result of the quality of this study was confidential by any means, the

information is made available or accessed by anyone but the people who are involved in this

study. The respondents participating in this evaluation are fully informed about what is being

conducted. They are aware of the purpose of the study; hence, they can decide as to whether they

can participate in the study or not. This study did not do any harm to the purok of the sample

obtained and the respondent who participated in this study. The answer of the respondents is

confidential to follow the Republic Act 10173 (Data privacy act of 2012) which protects the

fundamental right of privacy ensuring the free flow of information (National Privacy

Commission). All the related studies obtained are given proper credit to prevent the plagiarism of

the said study. This study has secured permission through a letter sent to the Ethics committee.

Permits were secured to conduct the study in the barangay through a letter given to the Barangay

captain and the heads of the Puroks.

Procedures

This section of the paper exhibits the techniques used in the collection for the analysis.

Included here are the two parameters and their specific methods for examination.

Data gathering
 Interview Procedure. Interviews were conducted on each purok to secure permission on

survey and water sample collection. The water tanks were discussed and the water sources of the

residents in each purok. The number of households to be surveyed were also discussed and the

kind of livelihood the residents have. Permission letters were given to each purok to formally

conduct the survey and the water sample collection.

Water sample collection. The tank water sample was collected in Purok Agbalasyang,

Purok Magasin, and Purok Tayao. One liter of water samples from the tanks was utilized for

each microbiological and physio-chemical test.

Water sampling. One (1) liter water sample per tank was collected for both physicochemical

testing and coliform. A total of 3.05L of water samples was collected from each tank. In

addition, a total of 3.15L of water samples were collected from the sampling site. The sample

was delivered immediately to the laboratory for testing.

Sampling procedure. The gathering of samples was done by using sanitized bottles and

hands. The sample collection was based on a closed tank gathering procedure.

The sample was collected in a sterile bottle. 2-5 minutes were allotted for the pipe or the

hose of the tank to flow. The opening was disinfected before collection. The sample bottle for

total coliform was filled leaving a ¼ space before the opening.

Furthermore, the use of a faucet attached to the tank for sampling was done by wiping the

outlet first and then cleaning the spout. By opening the spout with maximum flow for 1-2

minutes it clears the service line. The spout was then sterilized with a portable lighter for metal

and hypochlorite or alcohol wipes for plastic. Water was then opened for 1-2 minutes at normal
rate flow, which is then gathered through a sterilized bottle filling until the shoulder of the bottle,

was covered, and transported. (World Health Organization, 2011)

Transport procedure. A sterile, tightly closed, and sealed container served as a medium

for transport. The collected water samples were kept in a clean cooler having temperatures

between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius to aid contaminants from breaking down during transport. After

collection, water samples were immediately delivered to the laboratory for testing.

Water potability analysis. A total of nine (9) samples were obtained from the site and

transported immediately to Negros Prawn Producers Cooperative. These samples were subjected

to coliform detection and physiochemical tests.

Physio-Chemical Test

Test for Color. The colorimetric method was performed to determine the color of water

samples. Water samples were placed in clean glassware. Color determination was performed

within a reasonable period due to possible physical or biological changes that may affect the

color. Sample color was observed by filling a 50 ml Nessler tube and comparison was done to a

standard. Observation through looking vertically downward through tubes in an angle at which

light is being reflected upward. Dilution of samples with distilled samples in proportions until

their color is in the range of standard (American Public Health Association, 2018).

American Public Health Association. (2018). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water

and Wastewater. Standard Method. Retrieved March 15, 2024, from

https://www.standardmethods.org/doi/full/10.2105/SMWW.2882.017?role=tab
 Test for Dissolved Solid. Water samples were placed in transparent bottles and not filled

to mix efficiently by shaking the bottle. Analyzing of samples were examined preferably within

4 hours or as much as possible. As for the procedure, the evaporating dish was dried in the oven

for 1 hour at 180 degrees Celsius and cooled in a desiccator and weighed. Glass-fiber filter disk

was placed in the filtration apparatus. Three successive 20 ml pure water was placed in a vacuum

and wash disk. A known volume of the sample was placed on a filtration apparatus. The vacuum

and transfer filtrate were placed on a weighted and clean evaporated dish. The evaporating dish

is placed in an oven for an hour at 180 degrees Celsius then, it is cooled in a desiccator and was

then weighed. Dry again and weighted to a constant weight (APPENDIX-2 STANDARD

OPERATING PROCEDURES OF WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS, n.d.). Calculation of

results with the use of a formula of TDS (mg/l) = (A (mg) - B(mg)) x 1000/ V (ml) with an

acceptable value provided by Negros Prawn Producers Cooperative Laboratory of 600 TDS as

contaminated with dissolved solids.

Test for Turbidity. The turbidity of the sample was assessed by inserting it within a

transparency tube to evaluate the water’s purity (Peterson & Gunderson, 2008). The water

samples were collected in either plastic or glass bottles. Additionally, according to Ma et al.

(2020). Precisely, the weight of the original residue was calculated using a digital balance, and

the final weight is recorded after the filtering procedure.

Test for pH. The water is properly stirred and mixed with a stirring rod. A water sample

of about 40 ml is added to a beaker and its temperature is on standby for one hour for it to be

stabilized. After one hour, the temperature was measured and adjusted in the pH meter. Standard

solutions are utilized to standardize the pH meter. The electrodes were placed in the solution for
about 30 seconds before starting the reading. Once the reading is shown, it must be on to the

nearest tenth of the whole number. (Water Supply Archives, 2021).

Test for Chloride. The chloride water was identified using the Mohr method. Using

potassium chromate, the collected water is titrated to a silver nitrate solution. A white precipitate

of silver chloride would form at the bottom of the flask as silver nitrate solution is gradually

poured into it. When all of the chloride ions have reacted and precipitated, the titration has

reached its endpoint (Tasrik, 2015).

Test for Total hardness. Selection of sample that the volume itself requires less than 15

mL EDTA titrant and complete titration must be within 5 minutes from time of adding the

buffer. Dilute 25 mL sample to a 50 mL with distilled water in a porcelain casserole or any other

suitable vessel. Next, is to add a 1 to 2 mL buffer solution. Add 1 to 2 drops of indicator solution

or an appropriate amount of dry-powder indicator formulation. EDTA titrant will be added

slowly, with continuous stirring, until the last reddish tinge disappears. Endpoint results normally

have a blue result (2340 HARDNESS, 2018).

Test for Iron. Iron is placed into a solution and is reduced to a ferrous state by boiling

with acid and hydroxylamine, which is then treated with 1,10-phenanthroline at pH 3.2 to 3.3.

Each atom of the ferrous iron is chelated by the three molecules of phenanthroline to form an

orange-red complex. The colored solution obeys Beer's law with its intensity of pH from 3 to 9

and a pH of 2.9 to 3.5 insure rapid color development in the presence of excess phenanthroline.

Negros Prawn Producers Laboratory indicates an acceptable value of 1.0 mg/L (3500-Fe IRON,

2018).
 Test for Nitrate. The sample was passed through an ion exchange column and combined

with an effluent consisting of nitrate (NO3). Nitrate was created as a blank and a suitable

standard solution by combining it with distilled water. The sample, blank, and standard solutions

were then each given a separate series of reagent additions. After being filled with hydrazine

sulfate solution, the flasks are heated in a water bath at a constant boil for five minutes. Reagents

are then added after cooling for two minutes in flasks which have been moved to an ice bath.

After 15 minutes, retrieval from the ice water is made for the color to fully develop. The process

is based on hydrazine-mediated conversion of nitrate to nitrite in a heated alkaline solution,

followed by the diazotization of the nitrite thus produced and the interaction with the compound

of diazo with 1-naphthyl ethylenediamine to produce a strongly colored red dye (Fishman et al.,

1964).

Test for Nitrite. Diazotization Method is based on the reaction between aromatic

primary amine (-NH2) HONO, in presence of excess mineral and organic acids. Sodium nitrite is

used as a direct method of diazotization. It gives Hydrogen nitrite in acidic solution. Many

aromatic amines with free -NH2 are analyzed quantitatively by measuring the volume of sodium

nitrite solution required to convert them into diazonium salt. When all aromatic amine has

reacted with sodium nitrite, the next portion (excess of NaNO2) is added to the solution under

the test, converted to HONO that remains in the solution and can be detected by starch paper or

paste as an external indicator. The liberated iodine reacts with starch and gives blue color. The

diazotization proceeds quantitatively only in the presence of inorganic acid. It is important to

check the acidity of the titration. If there is no excess acid present, starch iodide will not detect

excess hydrogen nitrite and so will not indicate the end point (Chang, et.al., 2020)
 Test for Odor. Water samples were collected in glass bottles and tested as soon as

possible. Collection of at least 500 mL of sample were filled to the top to ensure that no

extraneous odors are to be drawn in the sample as it cools (NEMI Method Summary - 2150 B,

2005). The odor was evaluated at either 40 degrees Celsius or 60 degrees Celsius.

Test for Sulfate. Sulfate ion is precipitated in an acetic acid medium with barium

chloride (BaCI) to generate uniformly sized barium sulfate (BaSO.) crystals. Perform a Barium

sulfate turbidity formation by adding BaCk and crystals and stir at a constant speed for 60s. After

the stirring period has ended, pour the solution into the photometer's absorption cell, and

measure the turbidity at 5 + 0.5 minutes. Estimate the sulfate concentration in a sample using sa

calibration curve preparation. After the calibration, run blanks with no BaCk to correct for

sample color and turbidity (Achio, 2015).

Total Coliform Detection

Coliform detection. Each sample was labelled, received, and processed in the laboratory.

The sample testing for coliform determination is no later than 24 hours after the collection (Bolo

et al., 2021). All samples were processed using the Multiple Tube Fermentation Technique

(MTFT). The results were in comparison to the Most Probable Number (MPN) of coliform level.

Test for Coliforms. The process known as Heterotrophic Plate Counts (HPC), which

employs the spread plate technique, was used to estimate the number of bacteria in a sample. The

HPC plate was inoculated according to the standard procedure using agar. The inoculum was

transferred from the sample to the agar surface close to the center and hand distributed.

Following this, it is then observed and counted.

The data was obtained from the survey, and the test results of two parameters were

gathered and analyzed descriptively through the portion of the population that obtains drinking

water from the tank. The statistical tool of central tendency is used to determine the mean,

frequency distribution and percentage of households that obtain water from the tank.

The level of water potability of the following puroks of Barangay Bago, Don Salvador

Benedicto was based on the parameters - physicochemical test and total coliform test. The

physicochemical parameters include color, total dissolved units, turbidity, pH, chloride, total

hardness, iron, nitrate, nitrite, sulfate and odor which is measured through Visual Comparison

Method, Total Dissolved Solids dried at 180 degrees Celsius, Nephelometric Method,

Electrometric Method (4500-H+ B), Argentometric Method 4500-Cl-B, Titrimetric Method

(2350C), Phenanthroline Method-350-Fe B, Spectrophotometric Method, Diazotization Method,

Turbidimetric Method 4500-SO4 E and Threshold Odor Test, respectively. The coliform test was

analyzed using Multi Tube Fermentation Technique for both total coliform and thermotolerant

coliform, and the 9215 C Spread Plate Method for heterotrophic plate count.

The physical characteristics of water samples and the health-related concerns of the

population are analyzed from the data obtained from a valid and reliable questionnaire by

measuring the central tendencies. The quality of water was verified by comparing the results of

total coliform and physicochemical parameters to the Philippine National Standards for Drinking

Water.

Chapter 3

RESULTS, DISCUSSION, AND IMPLICATIONS

Agbalasyang, Magasin, and Tayao. This study employed a descriptive method for the analysis of

data. Survey questionnaires were given to each household in the mentioned puroks, to correlate

with the results that were analyzed. Visual presentations of the data collected from the

questionnaire were utilized, such as bar graphs and pie charts. The parameters used in the study

are total coliform and physicochemical.

Results and Discussion

Survey Results

The following are the survey outcomes based on the responses of the participants.

These are divided into three (3) parts which are water consumption, and health-related issues.

The Statistical tool of Central Tendency was utilized for a probability distribution of physical

characteristics among three (3) puroks

Procedure part

Water sampling. One (1) liter water sample per tank was collected for both

physicochemical testing and coliform. A total of 3.05L of water samples was collected from each
tank. In addition, a total of 3.15L of water samples were collected from the sampling site. The

sample was delivered immediately to the laboratory for testing.