Rapid Water Quality Assessment of Bongoy River in Odiongan, Romblon Using Macro Invertebrates and Fecal Coliform Presence as Bioindicators

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the water quality of Bongoy River in Odiongan, Romblon using macroinvertebrates and fecal coliform as bioindicators.  The collection of water samples and macroinvertebrates were done in five collection sites of the river with 500 meters interval every site. Macroinvertebrate samples were collected using D-frame and kick nets in upstream, midstream, and downstream stations of the river. The collected samples were counted and identified according to their taxa. A total of 164 macroinvertebrates were found in five sites of the river belonging to 11 species. Biotic Index Card as reference was used to categorize the macroinverbrates collected based on its tolerance to water pollution. The data were analyzed using Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) Scoring System and based on this method, the category of the dominant macroinvertebrates found are Moderately-Tolerant Taxa with a score of 57 points. Comparing the results of the Biotic Index Card and BMWP Scoring System, it was found out that both of these methods used, Bongoy River is categorized as Moderately-Polluted River. Bacterial coliform kit was used in evaluating the presence of Total and fecal coliform and it was found out that all five collection sites have the presence of total coliform which indicates the presence of human or animal wastes and the potential for a serious bacterial contamination problem. It is thus concluded that in assessing of water quality of river, macroinvertebrates and coliform presence can be a good indicators of water pollution.