Project on Ecological Management

8/3/2019 Project on Ecological Management

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/project-on-ecological-management 1/13

ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT –An Assessment of Water Pollution inBarangay 6, Mamburao, Occidental

Mindoro

MA. SHELLA S. CABRERA

Submitted to Ms. Cita Rina Chambal in PartialFulfillment of the Requirements in Natural

Science I –Introduction to Biological Science



PREFACE

The purpose of this report is to assess and explain the present environmental and health

problems and issues that challenged and threatened the community of Barangay 6, Mamburao,

Occidental Mindoro. The report is also a requirement for the partial fulfilment in Introduction to

Biological Science subject . The report focuses primarily on the environmental problems and

issues that need to be addressed and the recommended solutions and strategies to implement

to prevent further environmental degradation, ground water contamination and pollution of

Mamburao River.

Because the various parts of the report reflect the successes, observations and comments, it

would be imperative that the recommendations are also given.

It is hoped that this report would serve as a cardinal vehicle to the improvement of the

wastewater and environmental management and to increase environmental awareness in the

community.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface

Acknowledgement

Executive Summary

Introduction

Methodology of the Research

Brief Socio-Economic Profile of Barangay 6

Environmental Problems and Issues

Recommended Solutions

Current Programs/Strategies

Proposed Programs/Strategies

Conclusions

Annexes

Annex “A” – Photos of the Existing Temporary Fish Market

Annex “B” – Photos of the Problem – the Improper Discharge of Wastewater



Executive Summary

Public markets generates a variety of wastes that must be managed properly to minimize publichealth risks and pollution of Mamburao River and to improve the general cleanliness of the areafor the benefit of the market workers, customers and affected residents of the area.

During the first days of the environmental assessment it became clear that while the community

affected by the presence of the Temporary Fish Market faced serious problems with solid waste

and waste water management, the major “big” and obvious” risk with respect to direct impacts

on human health was the matter of the odor of the fish market and its wastes. As such, it was

given top priority by key actor such as Solid Waste Management and Health, as well as by this

assessment mission.

The everyday operation of the Temporary Fish Market is the key issue of the present pollutionsituation in the community. Currently, the Temporary Fish Market has not waste treatment

facility.

No major “big and obvious” risks with respect to direct impacts on human health specifically

stomach pain due to the foul odor brought by the solid waste and waste water of the temporary

fish market were identified. However, it was clear that wastes (solid and liquid) had a negative

impact on the environment due to pollutants present in the market wastes.

During the environmental assessment it became clear from community meetings that the foul

smell from the standing waste water in the catch basin was not the only problem but ground

water contamination and environmental degradation of Mamburao River was becoming an issue

and was likely to increase in the coming days.

Introduction

In March 2010, the Public Market of the Municipality of Mamburao was relocated to the old fish

port of Barangay 6 to give way to the construction of the new public market. However, five

months later the fish market was relocated again to a private lot along Salvador Street to giveway to the construction of a multi-purpose hall.

The relocation area of the fish market is a heavy populated area of the Barangay. Despite the

residents’ opposition, the fish market was relocated in the area with the consent of the Barangay

officials and of the lot owner.



During the first week of operation of the fish market, complaints of stomach pain among the

residents’ especially children are become the main concern and issue in the community.

The solid wastes (fish entrails and scales) that are not collected at the end of the market hoursand the waste water stocked in the catch basin caused incredible foul smell.

The waste water flows from the working table of the vendors to a PVC pipe which is connected

to the existing canal of the Barangay. Said canal is connected to an old culvert at the bottom of

a business establishment. However, the old culvert serves as water channel from the drainage

canal to the outlet attached to the protection dike only when there are heavy rains.

The waste water disposal system of the fish market is designed to allow water flow to the old

culvert down to the final outlet – the Mamburao River.

During the environmental assessment, it has been observed and found out that the waste water

discharged in the fish market is stocked in a catch basin attached to the drainage canal. The

catch basin was installed to enable the suspended solids settle at the bottom, thereby, only

waste water will flow in the canal.

However, it was found out that the waste water discharged is not enough to allow continuous

flow of water down to the outlet, the Mamburao River. Instead, waste waters settle at the land

surface beneath the houses of the residents of the barangay.

Evidently, the waste waters of the fish market stocked in the catch basin and flowed down in the

surface produce foul odors that might put the health of the community into a major risk.

However, there is no clear evidence that the foul odor has indeed caused health problems to the

residents. What is certain is the water and land pollution the waste water generated by the fish

market will cause to the environment and the disagreeable odors that cause nuisance condition

to the community.

Methodology of the Research

A qualitative research approach, as described by Creswell (2003), was utilized in gathering datain order to explore the stated objectives. This approach was used due to the fact that in order tomeet the research objectives more subjective and experienced based information would berequired of research participants. Also, due to the emergent nature of CEA it seemedappropriate to use this approach. In addition, this research used a participatory approach togathering data.



Specific methods applied included a Community Environmental Assessment, semi-structuredinterviews, document reviews (Creswell, 2003), and participant observation. CommunityEnvironmental Assessment was used to provide systematic and consistent value judgmentswhich can be compared over time and gather information in order to analyze the environmentaleffects of planned and/or completed activities. Document reviews as well as interviews with staff from the Municipal Government of Mamburao were used to gather information on how

participation and learning were facilitated in the CEA process. Community members were alsoasked to give an autobiographical account of their experiences with CEA.

Brief Socio-Economic Profile of Barangay 6

Barangay 6 is one of the urban barangays of the Municipality of Mamburao. The Barangay lies

on the level area of the coastal bank of Mamburao River. It is bounded on the west by

Mamburao River, on the east by Barangay 5, on the north by Barangay 8 and on the South ByMamburao Bay. Barangay 6 lies on the level area of the river bank of Mamburao River.

Barangay 6 has a total population of 607 and a total household of 113 based on the 2007

Census Report. It covers a land area of 3.34 hectares.

Barangay 6 is the present trade center of Mamburao, having the Temporary Public Market of

the Municipality (Wet and Dry). With the challenges of urbanization, the Barangay faces the

problem of overpopulation. Informal settlers are prevalent in the barangay, especially along the

protection dike.

Environmental Problems and Issues

Generally, the wastewater generated from the Fish Market contains high level of organic

materials and solids classifying it as high-strength wastewater.

The wastewater from the Temporary Fish market is not only contaminating the ground water,

specifically the Mamburao River but it also produces foul smell in the drainage canal which

results from the untreated wastewater that obviously threatening the health of the residents.

With this situation, Barangay 6 has been faced with health and water related issues due to

increasing amounts of untreated and insanitary wastewater from the Temporary Fish Market

that is released to the land surface and to Mamburao River which plays an important role in the

ecosystem of the Barangay.

The direct disposal of waste into Mamburao River causes waste to build up within the water

which suddenly creates a pungent odor. Also, this waste decreases the amount of oxygen in

water, causing the death of aquatic animals or other organisms.



On the other side, the majority of the poor households of the Barangay depend upon deep wells

for potable water, which is known to be contaminated due to the untreated wastewater released

by the households themselves to the river and which is worsen by the untreated wastewater

from the Fish Market.

Recommended Solutions

In order resolve the environmental and health problem and issues the community of Barangay 6

is facing due to the untreated wastewater of the Fish Market, it is recommended to improve the

existing drainage canal of Barangay 6 to prevent the emission of foul smell to the community.

Since the Temporary Fish Market is seen to stay longer in the area, it is highly to provide an on-

site wastewater treatment system.

A wastewater treatment facility entails a high cost construction and the Barangay may not be

capable of financing the system. However, the barangay may request the Municipal

Government of Mamburao (fish market operator) to provide the facility since the same has the

key responsibility in the maintenance of the fish market and in the proper discharge of the

wastewater.

Since the Fish Market is temporary in the area, it is unfeasible to construct a long-term

wastewater treatment structure. Selecting a low-cost technologies wastewater treatment facility

is the best option and most suitable to the circumstances. A purifying septic tank can be

installed as primary treatment facility. In addition, a low-cost decentralized wastewatertreatment system (DEWATS) can also be installed in the Fish Market. This low-cost

decentralized wastewater treatment is a technology straight from the trash bin. The

DEWATS us a plastic septic tank connected to an anaerobic reactor, an aerobic reactor and

an algal pond.

On the other hand, the community should conduct a regular clean up in the affected area and in

the Mamburao River to prevent and minimize contamination of the surface and ground water.

Information dissemination on the risks that may pose by the wastewater pollution should be

conducted to make people aware and take upon them the responsibility of protecting their

environment.



Current Programs/Strategies

In my capacity as Head of the Municipal Solid Waste Management Office, I have implemented

the following programs to address the water pollution problem in the Barangay, to wit:

Strict prohibition on the illegal dumping of solid and liquid wastes on and around theMamburao River

Rehabilitation and regular clean up drive in the Mamburao River

Maintenance of cleanliness of the Fish Market and drainage canal

Information and Awareness Campaign on Water Pollution

These programs have been effective; however, these are only immediate strategies to minimize

problems on water pollution and these are not the best strategy/method to address the water

pollution caused by the market wastewater .

Proposed Program/Strategies

To achieve the best and long-term approach on the ecological management of Mamburao

River, the following are seen to be the best and effective strategies, viz:

Adoption of Integrated Wastewater Management and Environmental Management and

Conservation

Improvement of the drainage canal and installation of pvc pipe line

Installation of Purifying Septic Tank in the Fish Market

Construction of low-cost decentralized wastewater treatment system (DEWATS)

Development of regulatory approach in the wastewater discharge among the Fish

Market vendors

Conclusion

Although water pollution has a large negative effect on the health, quality of life and

environment of the people of Barangay 6, most members of the community are wary of

addressing this critical issue. The absence of wastewater treatment system in the Fish Market

can be attributed to some constraints which include: lack of funds for infrastructure, water pollution control has been neglected and very little awareness among community members and

local government on threats of the untreated wastewater.

In spite of these obstacles and challenges, local government and community members must

preserver in trying to solve the problem, one small step at a time.



The following are the expected key outcomes from the implementation of the strategies action

plan:

The treatment facility will help lower the water pollution due to decrease in the BOD level

of wastewater discharge into Mamburao River

Lessened if not eliminated the foul smell from the standing wastewater in the drainagecanal

Increased public awareness on proper waste disposal, wastewater management and

sanitation

Increased public accountability on the environmental protection and management

Readings:

USAID (United States Agency for International Development). (October 2009).Sanitation Technology Information Sheet

David Krantz and Brad Kifferstein. Water Pollution and Society.http://www.umich.edu

ADB (Asian Development Bank). Country Water Action: Philippines Using SolidWaste to Treat Water Waste. http://www.adb.org/water/actions/phi/using-solid-waste.asp

http://www.umich.edu/

http://www.adb.org/water/actions/phi/using-solid-waste.asp


http://www.umich.edu/





Annex “A”

Photos of the Fish Market



Annex “B”

Photos of the Fish Market Wastewater Discharge





Documents

Project on Ecological Management