Introduction

As the industrial institution progresses, many environmental factors are affected,

it could be the air that we breathe, the trees that every child would love to climb and of
course the water that we swim in and we drink. These are the factors that brings negative
effect to the environment.

To continue to the main topic, water in every river is fresh and less in parasitic
bacteria and other microorganisms, this is the topic in this research. This paper will
reveal the common bacteria that attack the person who happens to drink contaminated
water.

The health of a home or community is a critical component in an individual's

health. These components are the healing properties which include fresh air, light, warm,
and cleanliness. The interrelationship of a healthful environment with nursing provides
the detection of the external influences and conditions which can prevent, suppress, or
contribute to disease or death. With this nurses have the responsibility to help patient's
whether an individual or community, retain their own vitality by meeting their basic
needs through control of the environment (Kozier, et.al, 2004).

Widespread contamination of rivers has been evident in many areas of the

country. Agriculture, urban runoff/storm water, and municipal point sources include
pesticide, metals, nitrates , solvents, and host-specific microbes passed through fecal
route. According to the Department of Health, improved disposal of human waste
protects the quality of drinking water sources. Each year more than 200 million tons of
human wastes go uncollected and untreated around the world, fouling the environment
and exposing millions of people to diseases and squalor. This study mainly focuses on the
microbial contamination found along the rivers of major Barangays in Cagayan de Oro
City, Philippines that constitutes a serious social and environmental threat, particularly
the river of Barangay Bayanga, Cagayan de Oro City (http://www.doh.gov.ph).

E. coli or Escherichia Coli are one of the most common microorganisms found in
rivers since it is also common not just to humans but also with those warm-blooded
animals, this microorganism can be passed through fecal route towards fresh water
resources. Different strains of E. coli are often host-specific, making it possible to
determine the source of fecal contamination in water samples. Escherichia Coli is the
primary facultative organism of the human gastrointestinal tract. E.coli normally
colonizes an infant's gastrointestinal tract within 40 hours of birth, arriving with food or
water, or with the individual's handling the child in the bowel; it adheres to the mucus of
the large intestines. It is the primary facultative organism of the human gastrointestinal
tract. Recently it is thought that E. coli and certain other food borne illnesses can
sometimes trigger serious health problems months or years after patients survived that
initial bout (Evans, 2007).

River water is an essential element of life but can be one of the most common
carrier of harmful contaminants that enter the body. On a daily basis, reports of drinking
water contamination appear in magazines, newspapers, and in news programs on
television (Wilson, 2007).

In the river of Barangay Bayanga, is somewhat an untouched river. This river still
has its beauty since the people living near it, are giving the river importance. This study
would confirm whether the river is really taken care of.

As a health care provider and an advocate for health, determination of E. coli

would provide a better understanding of the potential public-health risks of Barangay
Bayanga, Cagayan de Oro City. The researchers as future nurses would like to provide a
better view of the disease process, its preventions, health promotion, and health
maintenance to the people and the community. And as researchers, they are bound to
continue the study of (Alvarez, et. al 2008) as basis for confirmation of the purposes of
our study.

Objectives of the Study

Generally, the study was to determine the extent of fecal contamination of

Cagayan de Oro river along Barangay Bayanga. Specifically, (1) to determine the MPN
index of fecal coliform, total coliform and E. coli in the water samples obtained from
Cagayan de Oro River along Sitio Bayanga, (2) to determine whether the MPN index of
fecal coliform, total coliform, and E. coli is acceptable according to specific standards
and (3) to determine the possible factors that contribute to fecal contamination. It is
limited to the assessment of the presence of coliform specially Escherichia coli in the
Cagayan de Oro River. Chemical, BOD and bioessays of water analysis were not
included in this research.

Review of Literature

According to Antonio Cabrido (Chief of Provincial Environment and Natural

Resources Office), based in the data collected between 1995 to 2004, 95% of the
sampling sites along Negros Oriental rivers, have reached such a high degree of total
coliform contamination, that only a classification according to the worst possible DENR
water quality (class D) would be applicable. Cabrido stressed that data high fecal
coliform contamination (directly derived from human or animal waste) from all 13
sampling sites which are way beyond class B water quality standards (Cabrido, 2004).

A gram of human feces has 10 million viruses, one million bacteria, one thousand
parasites cysts and 100 parasite eggs, explaining that humans and animals are not safe in
these rivers as they may also contribute to the water-borne diseases (DENR, 2004).

Every year, 700,000 people die from flood or water borne diseases in the Asia-
Pacific region alone, including the Philippines. (de Haen, 2004)

2
 The danger of food-related outbreaks is particularly acutre in Asia-Pacific region
because of higher instances in which animals and people live in proximity along with
chancy food production and distribution. Besides the victim's proximity to the animal
dwellings, unclean households, surroundings, and the improper handling and cooking of
foods could have also triggered the spate of the said enteric disease. The floodwaters of
the super0typhoon "IGME" was another contributory factor as it served as a vehicle for
the quick transmission of the bacterium-causing disease via water and floods (Leitner,
2004)

Three Filipino medical microbiologists in a research entitles "the Emerging

Foodborne Bacterial Zoonoses" provide more than a clue. The Research scientifically
proved that the UN-FAO's and WHO Food Safety death counts on water and food-borne
diseases were connected with the rise of virulent microbes poses more serious health
problems with high mortality rate. Four emergent bacteria are comparatively more toxic
than two well-known bacteria Escherichia Coli, was one of the species of E. coli, the
emerging strain considered as enterohemorrhagic-causing species is the Escherichia coli
0157 (Bungay, et.al, 2002).

Although some recorded outbreak of human E. coli 0157 infection was frequently
linked with the consumption of undercooked minced beef, recent records show that
water/food-borne outbreaks as well as person-o-person transmission are increasingly
being recognized by many international researches. The latest list of foods, which the
research paper said have direct and indirect evident of being used as vehicles of the E.
coli 0157 bacterium for transmission are: beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, sausages,
salami, hamburger, fish, shellfish, vegetables, milk, yoghurt, cheese, apple cider, and
water. However, the process in which these foods are contaminated by the bacterium has
yet to be established although other risk factors have been identified, such as direct
contact and consumption of carrier animals and surfaces water – accidentally drinking
contaminated water from swimming pools, rivers, and other recreational facilities
(Bungay, et.al., 2002).

Waterborne and water-related diseases are those caused by protozoa, viruses,

bacteria, and intestinal parasites, all pathogenic or disease-causing microorganisms
directly transmitted when contaminated drinking water is consumed. Some 88 percent of
diseases worldwide are attributed to unsafe water supply, bad sanitation and unhygienic
practices that mostly hit the poor, weak and sick, especially children, in developing
countries—including the Philippines.These diseases are due to massive pollution of water
resources. According to the Water Environment Partnership in Asia, nearly 2.2 million
metric tons of organic pollution are produced annually by domestic (48 percent),
agricultural (37 percent), and industrial (15 percent) sectors. In the Philippines’ four
water-critical regions—the National Capital Region or Metro Manila, Central Luzon,
Southern Tagalog and Central Visayas—water pollution is caused mainly by household
(or domestic) and industrial wastes.

3
 THE Department of Health yesterday reported a suspected cholera outbreak in
Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat that has already killed 20 residents from July 27 to August 6.
DOH National Epidemiology Center (NEC) chief Dr. Eric Tayag said they are still
awaiting laboratory confirmation if it was cholera that downed another 141 people."The
victims have manifested symptoms of cholera but we are still waiting for the results of
the laboratory examinations to confirm their illness," he said.He said Palimbang's water
sources which are mostly open wells and river were found positive for the E coli virus.
The E coli virus is a large and diverse group of bacteria that can cause diarrhea, urinary
tract infection, pneumonia, respiratory illness and other diseases.Barangay Maibuk had
the largest number of incidents with 114 cases and 17 deaths. Barangay Napon had 30
cases with three deaths, and Barongis and Wal villages had two and one cases,
respectively. Tayag said DOH personnel have already been sent to the area in a bid to
control the outbreak. He also urged affected residents to boil their drinking water and
observe proper hygiene ( Naval, 2008).

E. coli is a bacterium commonly found in human and animal digestive tracts

(fecal matter) some strains can cause diarrhea, nausea and if untreated, possible death
(Todar, 2008). The omnipresence of man and animals along fecal wastes accounts for the
existence of E. coli in water, soil, on vegetation, in the air and thus through out the
general environment. The presence of E. coli has been long used as an indicator of fecal
pollution o natural waste (Defiguiered and Splittoesser, 1976).

Although E. coli is part of the normal flora of the intestinal tract, certain strains
can cause a moderate to severe gastroenteritis in humans and animals enteropathogenic
strains colonize the jejunum in new born and infants. Enteroinvasive strains invade the
epithelial cells of the large intestine and cause diarrhea in older children and adults. The
disease includes urinary tract infections, abscesses and skin and wound infection (Plczar,
1993).
In June and July 1997, simultaneous outbreaks of E. coli infections in Michigan
and Virginia were independently associated with eating papaya and oranges grown same
seed lot. The outbreak strains in Michigan and Virginia gathered in distinguished
molecular sub typing method (Buchanan, 1997).

Fresno (KFSN) – E. coli was spotted during a routine water test last week in
Woodville, a town of about 2,000 people, south o Visalia. Several actors could have led to
contamination of Woodville's drinking water supply. This potentially harmful bacteria
could have entered through cracked pipes, heavy rains could have delivered it to the ton's
water source or the water wasn't treated properly. Whatever the case, everyone in town is
carefully monitoring what they are drinking.

About 73,000 Americans become infected with this strain of E. coli each year, and
about 60 people die as a result. Between July and October of 2007, at least 21 people in
10 different states fell ill after eating frozen pepperoni pizza tainted with E. coli; four
suffered kidney failure. Earlier that year, contaminated frozen hamburger patties caused
illness in 40 people in eight states. In 2006, at least 199 people were sickened by E. coli

4
that had found its way into bags of fresh spinach (Centers of Disease Control and
Prevention, 2007).

Escherichia coli is a normal commensal organism for humans and many animals.
While there are many harmless E. coli strains, E. coli 0157:H7 can cause food- and
waterborne illness. One route of human exposure to E. coli is through the consumption of
contaminated drinking water sources may become contaminated during rain or snow
melts that wash E. coli-contaminated wastes into surface and ground water (CDC.
Division of Bacterial and Mycoyic Disease: Escherichia coli).

Recent water related outbreaks of E. coli in North America include a May 2000
tragedy in Walkerton, Ontario, where at least 6 people died and approximately 2000
persons became ill from consuming E. coli 0157:H7-contaminated drinking water. In
1999, at a fair in Albany, New York, approximately 804 cases of E. coli 0157:H7
infections were linked to consumption of contaminated drinking water. Sixty-five people
were hospitalized and two people died. There was also drinking water E. coli 0157:H7
outbreaks reported in Wyoming, Illinois, and Washington in 1997 and 1998, all were
associated with contaminated ground water systems (Barwick et.al, 2000).

Escherichia coli, a normal inhabitant of the gastrointestinal tract of warm-blooded

animals, is used as an indicator of water quality. Certain serotypes have been associated
with waterborne disease outbreaks and mortality in humans (Bruneau et al. 2004). Shiga
toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) or enterohemorrhagic B, coli (EHEC) are asymptomatic
in animals, bur human infections may lead to hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic
syndrome, or death (Shelton et al. 2006). Although cattle represent the main reservoir,
EHEC is harbored by a wide range of animals and birds (Williams et al. 2006). EHEC
causes diseases in humans through production of one or more shiga-like toxins (encoded
by stx1 and stx2 and their variants), which inhibit protein synthesis of host cells, leading
to cell death. Other virulence factors include the eaeA gene-encoding intimin, responsible
for attaching and effacing lesions, and the hlyA gene, which acts as a pore-forming
cytolysin on eukaryotic cells. The ingestion of as few as 1-10 EHEC cells may cause
illness in humans (Chart 2000; Kuhnert et al, 2000), EHEC contamination of drinking
water (processed and unprocessed) has been associated with disease outbreaks (Ashbolt,
2004).

The impact of river outfalls on beach waner quality depends on mumerous

interacting factors. The delivery of contaminants by mulptiple crecks greatly complicates
understanding of the source contributions, especially when pollution might originate up
or down-coast of beaches. We studied two beaches along Lake Michigan that are located
between two creek foutfalls to determine the hydrometeorologic factors influencing near-
shore microbiologic warer quality and the relative impact of the creeks. The creeks
continuously delivered water with high concentartions of Escherichia coli to Lake
Michigan, and the direction of transport of these bacteria was affected by current
direction. Current direction revesals were associated with elevated E. coli concentrations
at Central Avenue beach, Rainfall, baromerric pressure, wage height, wave period, and
creek specific conductance were significantly related to E. coli concentraton at the

5
beaches and were the paramers used in preditive models that best descirbed E. coil
variation at the two beaches. MUltiple inputs on numerous beaches complicates the
analysis and undersanding of the relative relationship of sources but affords oppotunities
for showing how these complex creek unputs might interact to yield collective or
individual effects on beach water quality.

Attachment of bacteria to soil is an important component of bacterial fate and

transport. Escherichia coli are commonly used as indicators of fecal contamination in the
environment. Despite the fact that E. coli are derived exclusively from feces or manure,
effect of the presence of manure colloids on bacteria attachment to agricultural soils was
never directly studied. The objective of this work was to evaluate the magnitude of the
effect of manure on E. coli attachment to soil. Escherichia coli attachment to soil was
studied in batch experiments with samples of loam and sandy clay loam topsoil that were
taken in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Escherichia coli cells were added to the water-
manure suspensions containing 0, 20, and 40 g L-1 of filtered liquid bovine manure,
which subsequently were equilibrated with air-dry sieved soil in different soil to
suspension ratios. The Langmuir isotherm equation was fitted to data. Manure
dramatically affected E. coli attachment to soil. Attachment isotherms were closer to
linear without manure and were strongly nonlinear in the presence of manure. The
maximum E. coli attachment occurred in the absence of manure. Increasing manure
content generally resulted in decreased attachment (Shelton, et. al, 2005).

The aim of this study was to determine the load of Escherichia coli transferred via
drainage waters from drained and undrained pasture following a grazing period. Higher
concentrations (ranging between 104 and 103 colony forming units [CFU] g-1) of E. coli
persisted in soil for up to 60 d beyond the point where cattle were removed from the
plots, but these eventually declined in the early months of spring to concentrations less
than 102 CFU g-1. The decline reflects the combined effect of cell depletion from the soil
store through both wash-out and die-off of E. coli. No difference (P > 0.05) was
observed in E. coli loads exported from drained and undrained plots. Similarly, no
difference (P > 0.05) was observed in E. coli concentrations in drainage waters of
mole drain flow and overland plus subsurface interflow. Intermittent periods of elevated
discharge associated with storm events mobilized E. coli at higher concentrations (e.g., in
excess of 400 CFU mL-1) than observed during low flow conditions (often <25
CFU mL-1). The combination of high discharge and cell concentrations resulted in the
export of E. coli loads from drained and undrained plots exceeding 106 CFU L-1 s-1. The
results highlight the potential for drained land to export E. coli loads comparable with
those transferred from undrained pasture (Haygarth, et al, 2005).

Escherichia coli (E. coli), enterococci, and fecal coliform data were collected and
compared as potential indicators for swimmability assessment of a brackish waterbody
(Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana). These indicators were measured during lake background
conditions, in stormwater runoff (before dilution with lake water), and in the outfall
plume within the lake following storm events. Microbial indicator titers associated with
suspended particles and lake-bottom sediments were also investigated. Overall reduction
rate constants for fecal coliform, E. coli, and enterococci in lake water and sediment were

6
measured and reported. Attachment of microbial indicators to suspended matter and
subsequent sedimentation appeared to be a significant fate mechanism. A slower
reduction rate of indicator organisms in sediment further suggested that bottom sediment
may act as a reservoir for prolonging indicator organism survival and added concern of
recontamination of overlaying waters due to potential solids resuspension. Results
indicated that enterococci might be a more stable indicator than E. coli and fecal coliform
and, consequently, a more conservative indicator under brackish water conditions
(Bradford, 2004).

GOLCONDA - Increased levels of E. coli found in portions of the Ohio River

near Golconda have prompted the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission to
launch a study to investigate where the contamination is coming from, officials said
Friday.A public meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at the Pope County High School
in Golconda.Jason Heath, manager of the water assessment programs for ORSANCO
said a project was recently conducted on the entirety of the Ohio River, which starts in
Pittsburgh, Pa. and ends in Cairo."There are, from time to time, levels of bacteria that
exceed the standards that protect swimmers," Heath said. "There are several segments of
the Ohio River near Golconda that listed as bacteria having raised levels”."Levels of E.
coli are the indicator that we use to show the presence of human sewage levels that are
high," Heath explained. Sam Dinkins, an environmental specialist, said the portion of the
river near Golconda was sampled over a dozen times, including a five week portion
where the river was tested once a week for five weeks. "The primary purpose for the
project is to identify all of the sources that need to be controlled to meet water quality
standards. That is one component of the study that we will be announcing." Heath and
Dinkins said the commission will investigate the cause of the high bacterial levels. "We
will tell them you can discharge no more than this amount in order that the river remains
safe," Heath said. Heath said he couldn't say whether or not people should be concerned
about the bacteria, calling it a personal choice whether or not they would continue to use
the river while levels are high (Fasol, 2009).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A. Entry Protocol

Before the group conducted the study, they had an ocular survey along the area
together with the group’s team leader Dr. Lubos, and then a courtesy letter was then
prepared addressed to the Barangay Chairman of Bayanga. The content of the letter was
to allow them to collect water samples from the riverbank of Bayanga. Moreover, the
group promised to give a copy of the study to the barangay as reference material for the
presence or absence of E. coli on the river. Before the letter was forwarded to the
Barangay Chairman, the group leader affixed his signature, and was noted by Dr. Lubos,
the Team Leader and approved by Mrs. Chona V. Palomares, Dean of the College of
Nursing. Thereafter, with the letter at hand, they went to Barangay Bayanga and made
their courtesy call. The group thoroughly explained the purpose as well as the objectives

7
of the study to the Barangay Chairman. After the letter was approved by the Barangay
Chairman, the group did the first step of the study.

B. Setting

Cagayan de Oro City, situated on its excellent harbor in Macajalar Bay on the North
Mindanao coast, is the Capital of Misamis Oriental Province. To the South, the City is
Bordered by the Bukidnon Province and Lanao del Norte (iligan city). The Municipality
of Opol, Misamis Oriental borders the city on the west and Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental to
the east. Th the North lies Macajalar Bay facing the Bohol Sea. Its total land area is
488.86 km2 presenting 13.9% of the entire Misamis Oriental Province. According to
2007 census the city has a total population of 553,966 Cagay-anons. There are 80
barangays comprising Cagayan de Oro City. One of which is Barangay Bayanga. The
study is to be conducted on the aforementioned barangay. This place is situated on the
second district of the city along the river side.

On the northern border of the river in Barangay Bayanga lies the Lumbia river where
the other group of researchers conducted their experiment. On the southern portion of the
river’s border lies the Mambuaya river in which other group of researchers conducted
their study. Most of the livelihood of the people in the Barangay Bayanga were mostly
farmers, some sell livestock manure. The people’s house are located distantly to the river.
The site where the sample had taken is just adjacent to the restaurant and it is said that the
restaurant is the stop-over of the rafting. The width of the river is not so wide, for
approximately 50 meters from west to east end of the river. Therefore, 25 meters from
the west end since it was the only possible place for the researchers to start. Then the
researchers placed a red flag as a marker on the same spot for the next sample.

C. Methods Used and Description

The study utilized a descriptive method to detect the presence of Escherichia coli
along the river of Bayanga, Cagayan de Oro City.

The study includes collection of water samples along the riverbank of the said area.
Proper collection procedures using the Multiple Tube Fermentation Technique (MTFT) to
fully analyze the samples being collected from the area was implemented to prevent any
significant change in the composition of the sample prior to its analysis to ensure accurate
analytical results. Factors such as time and holding temperature can affect microbial
density, in this connection, since the water sample to be collected is to held in a container,
a temperature of 4-10° C must be maintained and it should then be analyzed within 6
hours after collection. In no case should time lapse between sampling and analysis exceed
30 hours.

8
 The following guidelines are to be observed during the collection of water
samples:

1. Planning out of sampling schedule. Sampling is ideally carried out with

sufficient frequency to be able to detect any temporal or seasonal variations in
the quality of water.
2. Preparing of suitable sampling containers for collection, storage and transport
of water samples. Sampling bottles should contain the amount required for all
the analysis to be conducted and in no case should the final volume of water
be less than 100 ml for microbiological analyses of water according to the
requirements of BFAD, the volume of water should be 300 ml.
3. Selection of representative sampling points in the water supply system must
be done.
4. Aseptic techniques during sampling must be strictly observed to prevent
contamination of the sample being collected. Keep sampling bottles closed
until it is filled. When about to take the sample, remove the cap and retain it in
the nook of the hand. The cap should not rest on dirty surfaces while taking
the sample.
5. Fill the bottle leaving ample air space of about 2.5 cm, to allow adequate
mixing of the sample preparatory to analysis.
6. Sample should be properly labeled and adequately described.

Collection of water sample from the river, stream, lake, reservoir, spring or shallow well.

9
 D. Population and Sample Used

The study area is the riverbank of Barangay Bayanga, Cagayan de Oro City. It
has a total population of 2,541 as of the year 2008. This study area includes the entire
riverbank connected to Cagayan de Oro River.

There will be a one-day microbial sampling which was conducted every five
consecutive months. This study will measure fecal-indicator bacteria including the Total
Coliform Count (MPN/ 100 mL) environmental samples in five dilutions which was
experimented for 4 days. Fecal Coliform (MPN/ 100mL) which was experimented for
five days, E. coli detection and enumeration in MPN/100 mL experimented for six days
from September to November 2008.

Instruments Used

Material Representation Purpose

• Receptacle for the

water sample
1. Sterile Bottle (250mL)
with cap

• To maintain a
temperature of 4 –
10 ˚C, thus ensure
2. Ice accurate analytical
results.

• For collection,
storage and transport
of water samples
3. Sample Container

• sample used to
detect presence of
4. Water Sample from fecal coliform and E.
Bayanga River coli bacteria.

10
Results and Discussion

Objective 1: to determine the MPN index of fecal coliform, total coliform and E. coli in
the water

Figure 1.

16000
14000
12000
10000
Total ColiformCount
8000
Fecal Coliform
6000 Escherichia Coli
4000
2000
0
1st Sample 2nd Sample 3rd Sample

The sample taken last October 6, 2008 shows that the Total Coliform Count in the
river of Bayanga is infested with much more than the standard level of the Total Coliform
Count, to be specific it is X 54 of the standard level that a river should possess. The level
of Total Coliform Count in Bayanga poses a threat to the lives of the people living near
this river since there is so much infestation of bacteria, parasites and different types of
microorganisms that can be a cause of different diseases like diarrhea, and other types of
diseases. According to Tortora et. Al (2005), Madigan et. Al (2004). Coliform has been
defined as a group of bacteria, that is an indicator of the contamination of water and
possible presence of intestinal parasites and pathogens. This means that as the level of
coliform rises in a water system, then there is an evidence of the rise in the number of
bacteria, parasites, and pathogens in the water system. For the Fecal coliform there is still
a rise in their number which implies that there are great amounts of fecal matters in the
river. According to Tortora et. Al (2005), Madigan et. Al (2004) fecal coliforrm are used
to assess the presence of fecal matter in situations where fecal coliforms of non-fecal
origin are not encountered. Fecal coliforms include the genera that originate in feces;
Escherichia as well as genera that are not of fecal in origin; Enterobacter; Klabsiella, and
Citrobacter. The assay is intended to be an indicator of fecal contamination, or more
specifically E. coli which is an indicator microorganism for other pathogens that may be
present in feces. These pathogens are threats not just to the families but also to the
animals that are living near the river. The rise in their number is a bad sign because this
means that the river is not in a good shape. Families should be warned of these so that no
one would be affected by these pathogens. Escherichia coli was also noticed in the results
of sample 1, according to Prescott et. al (2005), Evans et. al (2005) that Escherichia Coli

11
 is a bacterium that is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded animals.
Most E. coli strains are harmless. However, when there is a rise in their number this
becomes hazardous since they can cause different types of diseases, as for sample 2 taken
last September 8, 2008 there was fluctuation in all the value of Fecal Coliform, Total
Coliform, Escherichia Coli, according to Prescott et. Al (2005), Evans et. Al (2005) the
results given is in the standard value which is normal but still poses a threat since these
values can be changed through common weather changes but since E. coli values are still
present in high amount then the people of Bayanga is at risk in getting infected by
different bacteria’s or diseases.

Objective 2: To determine whether the MPN index of fecal coliform, total coliform and
E. coli acceptable according to specific standards.
Sample Date Total Coliform Fecal Coliform Escherichia Coli
Count Count
1st Sampling September 8, 2008 5,400 2,400 2,400
2nd Sampling October 6, 2008 16,000 16,000 9,200
3rd Sampling November 3, 2008 3,500 2,400 340
Average 8,300 6,933 3,980

The Table simply reveals that the river has a great number of total coliform count
from the period September – November. It is quite clear that the river was contaminated
within that span of time which can also mean that the river was polluted on the said
period because of the result that shows a high concentration of coliforms.

Objective 3: To determine the possible factors that contributes to fecal contamination.

A survey was conducted before the actual sampling which involved households
living along riverbamks of the sites where sampling was done. A total 22 respondents
were interviewed.

In Bayanga, most of the families that the proponents were able to interview had 6
or 28.57% toilets draining directly to the river. On the other hand people who do not
have toilets results 18 or 85.71% directly throw their feces into the river. Most of the
families in the said barangay have farm animals such as goats, cows, and pigs and
domestic animals like dogs and cats, 5 or 22.86% dispose their animal wastes into river.
The surveyed households threw their wastes into the river since it is closer to their house
and much more convenient for them.

These families/households are contributory factors affecting the rise in the

number of fecal coliform, E. coli, Total fecal coliform. If these activities will go on, these
families would contribute to the fecal contamination in the river which may give rise to
the existence of diseases. Besides these families rely on the river for their daily activities
like washing clothes, bathing and othes.

12
Conclusion

The first sample which resulted to 2,400 MPN/100mL which means a slight
presence of bacteria beyond the border of the containment of the bacteria provided by the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). This is followed by the
second sample which resulted to 9,200 MPN/100mL obviously the second result crossed
the barrier of the standard value that was given by the DENR. The third sample which
resulted to 340MPN/100mL reveals that the river is below the normal value.

With the average result from the three samples, the Escherichia Coli reached to
3,980MPN/100mL which obviously means that the level of the bacteria was definitely
high in the river.

Based on the average result provided by the DENR, and according to the
established rules of empirical, stable, and demonstration protocol. The researchers
concluded that the river was contaminated by Escherichia Coli bacteria.

Recommendations

1. A wider study on the other barangays should be conducted, especially those

barangays upstream to further establish the implication of fecal contamination
in the river which affects the socioeconomic aspects of the city especially in
the area of tourism.

2. Weekly sampling should be done for more conclusive and satisfactory results.
Sampling done during different weather conditions (e.g. after rainfalls) as well
determination of possible differences in the MPN indices in one site during
high tide and low tide can be done to establish a more specific influence of
these factors in the fecal contamination of the Cagayan De Oro River.

3. Samples from the seven tributaries of the Cagayan De Oro River should also
be taken and interpreted since the water from the said river comes from the
seven tributaries. These tributaries also contribute to the rise in the number of
fecal coli form in the river of Cagayn De Oro City.

4. At least three sites from upstream, middle and downstream where water
sample river be taken per sampling area to further confirmed a more precise
fecal coli form index per site.

5. Educating the public especially those families living along the river regarding
the importance and the implications of fecal contamination especially on
health must be done. This goes along with stricter and more extensive
implementation of laws by concerned government agencies that serve to
protect the water quality of the river and the welfare of the people. Residents
that raise livestock must be educated on the proper disposal of animal wastes
as well as warned them of possible sanctions upon violation of the regulations.

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6. LGU’s (DOH, HC, City Health Office) should be informed of the results of
these study since these government units will be able to inform their people of
the threats on their health if the rise in the number of fecal coliform will go
on.

7. Government officials should act towards the preventing people from building
their houses along the riverbank. Strict implementation on the proper disposal
of garbage on any human and animals wastes should be done to preserve the
river.

8. Cleanliness should be observed within the river perimeters. The barangay

officials should make an action not to place the people near the riverbank.

9. Further study of similar nature needs to be done. The river has to be closely
monitored for contamination. More ideas may be obtained from the study in
the prevention of bacteria causing diseases to arise.

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