Baseline Information of San

Juan River
CE 197: Introduction to Water Quality Analysis and Modeling
INTRODUCTION

San Juan River straddles Quezon City, San Juan, Manila and Mandaluyong. It is
approximately 10.581 kilometers, with tributaries namely Talayan creek, Diliman
creek, Ermitanyo creek, Maytunas creek and Buhangin creek. Its entire river basin
has a catchment area of 90.4 sq. km., comprising the lower half of Quezon City, the
city of San Juan and parts of Mandaluyong City, Pasig City and Manila City. Of the
total area about 78 sq. km. is located in Quezon City.

According to the Pollution Report (2003) done by the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources, out of 94 Principal Basins monitored by them, 15 were identified
as biologically dead. And of the 15 rivers, five are located in Metro Manila and have
failed the standards for Class C water. Under the DENR Administrative Order 34, Class
C water refers to those body of freshwater that are safe for the propagation of aquatic
fish and other aquatic resources, boating other recreational use and for industrial
use. The five rivers declared as dead located in Metro Manila are Marikina River,
Pasig River, Paraaque, Navotas-Malabon-Tenejeros-Tullahan River and San Juan
River.

Objectives

To be able to produce an Infographic of San Juan River having its baseline

information.

Methodology

For the purpose of this paper, baseline information presented in our Infographics is
further elaborated and assessed. All information are from the Report of the
Environmental Management Bureau of DENR on the Water Quality in the Philippines
(2008-2015).

Monitoring Results and Discussion

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

Dissolved Oxygen is the amount of oxygen present in water. One of the important
parameters in assessing the water quality because of its influence on the organisms
living in a water body. According to standards and several studies, at least 5
milligrams per liter of dissolved oxygen must be present in water in order for the
organisms to survive.

1
 Figure 1: DO compliance rating of priority river 2006-2013

Figure 2: DO levels of 19 priority rivers, 2010-2014

Based on Figure 1, San Juan River has approximately 11% compliance, only 29 out of
253 field samples passed the standards. And in Figure 2, it shows that the Dissolved
Oxygen level found in San Juan river is lower than minimum requirement of 5

2
milligrams per liter, the level necessary for aquatic life. It clearly shows that San juan
river failed to satisfy the class C requirement, it is not suitable for the propagation of
fishes and other aquatic resources.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Biochemical Oxygen Demand is the amount of oxygen required by aerobic

microorganisms to decompose the organic matter in a sample as measure of the
degree of water pollution. A higher value of BOD in a water body indicates higher
organic pollution. According to standards, the maximum BOD present in the water
must be 7 milligrams per liter in order for the organisms to survive.

Figure 3: BOD percentage compliance of priority rivers, 2006 to 2013

3
 Figure 4: BOD levels of 19 priority rivers, 2010 to 2014

Based on Figure 3, San Juan river clearly shows 0% compliance rate, out of 245
sampling event no sample satisfies the standards. And in Figure 4, approximately the
average BOD level is 60 milligrams per liter, it exceeds the maximum allowable limit
of BOD value. We can clearly say that San Juan river suffers from too much organic
pollution.

Nitrates

Nitrate is one of the common nutrients found in a water body. Low nitrate content is
beneficial because it helps in the propagation and growth of fishes and other aquatic
organisms. however , high concentration of nitrate can inhibit the growth of fish and
can cause stress to other organisms. Based on Figure 5 below, San Juan rivers has
approximately 25% compliance rate which is the lowest compare to other rivers. It
shows that San Juan river is heavily contaminated by organic waste.

4
 Figure 5: Nitrates percentage compliance rating of priority rivers, 2006-2013

Phosphates

Phosphate is also one of the common nutrients found in a water body. It usually
comes from detergents, raw sewage and fertilizers. Too much amount of phosphate
can cause algal bloom in a body of water.

Figure 6: Phosphates percentage compliance rating of priority rivers, 2006-2013

5
Based on Figure 6, San Juan river has 0% compliance rating. Too much phosphate
may be present in the river because of domestic wastewater and wastes produced by
industries near San Juan river.

Conclusion and Recommendations

San Juan River is considered as a dead river. The main reason behind this is because
of its surrounding communities. According to the report done by the Department of
Public Works and Highways entitled Metro Manila Integrated Flood Risk
Management Master Plan (2013), around 4,217 informal settlers family are living
along San Juan river. Low value of Dissolved Oxygen and high value of BOD is caused
by domestic wastewater, animal waste and human waste, the same reason for high
concentration of nitrates and phosphates. There is a lack of monitoring and control by
the local government on the discharge of wastewater along the river.

As a recommendation, local government of San Juan river must coordinate with the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources in enforcing directives and
policies on communities along the river. Awareness program for every Barangay and
industry near the river is a must. In addition, there must also be a rehabilitation and
monitoring program to be conducted with the help of people living along San Juan
River.

6
 References

Enviromental Management Bureau (2016). Water Quality In the Philippines (2008-

2015). Report. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Mike Frialde (2004). Five Metro Rivers Declared Dead. The Philippine Star.

Singson, Rogelio (2013). Metro Manila Integrated Flood risk Management Master Plan.
Report. Department of Public Works and Highways.