Assessment of Groundwater Potability of Barangay Actin, Basay and Its Associated Health Risks: Basis for WASH Program

Access to clean and safe drinking water is a universal human right and vital for overall health and well-being. Therefore, assessing water potability is crucial in avoiding waterborne diseases and strengthening Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) practices. This study aimed to evaluate the potability of the groundwater in Barangay Actin, Basay, Negros Oriental, focusing on both microbiological and physicochemical parameters during the dry and rainy seasons. It also investigated the associated health risks, which served as the basis for implementing the WASH program. The researcher utilized experimental and descriptive methods in the study. Water samples were collected from a single groundwater source during rainy and dry periods. A third-party laboratory performed microbiological and physicochemical analyses. The respondents included 90 parents and senior high school students from Barangay Actin and Actin National High School, who were the primary consumers of the groundwater source. The study revealed that coliform bacteria and total suspended solids exceeded the limits set by the 2017 Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW), while pH, TSS, TDS, nitrate/nitrite, hardness, and turbidity met the standards. Parents' awareness of waterborne diseases was high for dysentery and moderately high for typhoid fever, amoebiasis, and cholera. Students demonstrated a high level of practice regarding access to safe drinking water and hygiene education at home, while other WASH standards were classified as moderately practiced. Based on the results, the groundwater is contaminated with coliform bacteria and suspended solids, posing health risks to consumers. Thus, monitoring of the untreated water source is recommended to ensure its quality. A strong implementation of the WASH program in schools is also encouraged to help students consistently practice hygiene standards and avoid health risks from water contaminants.