THE STUDY ON THE POTABILITY OF DRINKING WATER FROM THE DIFFERENT

DRINKING STATIONS OF MATER ECCLESIAE SCHOOL

A Research Paper presented to

Mrs. Rose Barrameda

In partial fulfilment of the requirements in

Investigatory Research

By

Alyssa Alava

Monica Breis

Matthew Paz

Vanne San Esteban

 Abstract

This study aims to determine the potability of the drinking water from the different drinking

stations of Mater Ecclesiae School (MES). The potability of the drinking water will depend on the

parameters of water quality, namely Chemical and Physical Requirements. The researchers used

an experimental process, which is Water Analysis, in order to determine the potability of the

drinking water from the drinking stations of MES. The selected process of water analysis of the

researchers was using reagents. The results of the water analysis were interpreted by researchers

according to a criterion that will be further discussed on Chapter 2.

i
 Acknowledgement

This research will not be possible without the help of certain persons that were a big part

of this study.

First, the researchers thank God for being there and giving them strength to endure the

obstacles that they experienced during the duration of this study, and for giving them the

capabilities to be able to accomplish this work.

Second, the researchers also thank our teachers who guided and consulted us throughout

the process of this study.

Third, the researchers also express their gratitude to their dear family and friends who were

always there to support and comfort them, especially during the difficult times of this research.

ii
 Table of Contents

Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………………... i

Acknowledgement ………………………………………………………………………………. ii

Table of Contents ……………………………………………………………………………….. iii

List of Figures …………………………………………………………………………………… v

List of Tables …………………………………………………………………………………… vi

CHAPTER 1: THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Background of the Study 1

Significance of the Study 2

Statement of the Problem 3

Paradigm of the Study 4

Scope and Delimitation 5

Definition of Terms 5

CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Chemical Requirements 6

Physical Requirements 7

Reagents for Water Testing 8

Waterborne Diseases 10

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY

Research Design 13

Research Instrument 13

Data Gathering Procedure 14

CHAPTER 4: PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA 16

iii
CHPATER 5: SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 19

Bibliography …………………………………………………………………………………… vii

Appendix ……………………………………………………………………………………… viii

Group Profile …………………………………………………………………………………… xi

iv
 List of Figures

Figure 1 Paradigm of the Study …………………………………………………………………. 4

v
 List of Tables

Table 1 Test for Residual Chlorine ……………………………………………………………… 9

Table 2 Test for Acidity and Alkalinity …………………………………………………………. 9

Table 3 Test for Calcium and Magnesium ……………………………………………………... 10

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 CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Background of the Study

Water is vital. It's found everywhere on Earth, from the polar ice caps to steamy geysers.

And wherever water flows on this planet, you can be sure to find life (Ghose, 2015).

According to Glazer, “At heart, all life on Earth uses a membrane that separates the

organism from its environment. To stay alive, the organism takes in important materials for making

energy, while shuttling out toxic substances such as waste products. In this regard, water is

essential simply because it's a liquid at Earth-like temperatures. Because it flows, water provides

an efficient way to transfer substances from a cell to the cell's environment. By contrast, deriving

energy from a solid is a much tougher prospect (though there are microbes that eat rock).”

Water is important to the mechanics of the human body. The body cannot work without it,

just as a car cannot run without gas and oil. In fact, all the cell and organ functions that make up

our entire anatomy and physiology depend on water for their functioning (APEC Water, n.d.)

The fact that our body is primarily made up of water, verifies the importance of it in our

life. It aids in the hydration of our body, balancing of pH levels in our body, the regulation of our

body temperature and many more. Thus, drinking water is essential for an individual.

Most of the inorganic chemicals in drinking water are naturally occurring. They are

acquired by the contact of water with rocks and soil and the effects of the geological setting,

including climate. However, the chemical composition of drinking water also depends on the

1
contaminating effects of industry, human settlements, agricultural activities and water treatment

and distribution (Olivares & Uauy, n.d.).

Mater Ecclesiae School recognizes these facts and does contribute a way to be able to

provide potable water to the students. Two drinking stations are found within the vicinity of the

school, so that students will be able to have access to potable water.

Students regularly use these drinking stations according to their urgency; hence this reason

drove the researchers upon conducting a study to determine the potability of the water from the

drinking stations of Mater Ecclesiae School.

Significance of the Study

Having and ensuring some clean and safe surroundings and equipment are a must to attain

safe facilities for those individuals who benefit from it. The researchers hoped to establish and

determine clean water stations for students and other individuals who drink from it.

The school administration will benefit from this study to ensure the safeness of health of

every individual such as students, teachers and other school members who are using the drinking

stations of the said school.

This research will also benefit those students who use the drinking station, by making them

aware of the components found in the water and by ensuring them that the water that they’re

drinking potable enough to consume.

This research will also help future researchers who would choose the same topic as this

study as guidelines and basis of their study.

2
Statement of the Problem

General Problem: This research aims to determine whether the water in the drinking

stations of Mater Ecclesiae School potable for the consumption of the students.

Specific Problems:

1. Does each sample satisfy the standard potability of drinking water? Specifically:

a. Chemical Requirements

b. Physical Requirements

2. Is there a difference between the water samples from the different drinking station?

a. Components of each sample

b. Potability of each sample

3. Which of the two drinking stations produce the more potable water for the consumption of

the students?

3
Paradigm of the Study

Collection of water
samples

Water sample 1 Water sample 2

Water Analysis:

Chemical and Physical

Analysis

Potability of
the Water

Figure 1 Paradigm of the study

Figure 1 shows the approach of the study. The researchers collected one water sample from

each drinking station form Mater Ecclesiae School. Upon gathering the water samples, it

undergoes water analysis, which determines the components present in each sample. The

researchers chose to undergo the Chemical and Physical analysis of each water sample, for this

study aims to determine potability of each water sample. Comparing the gathered data from both

water samples to the researched standard components of drinking water, the researchers identified

if the water from both drinking stations in Mater Ecclesiae School potable enough for the

consumption of the students.

4
Scope and Delimitation

This study is only about the water samples retrieved from the drinking stations of Mater

Ecclesiae School. The two drinking stations are located near the Gymnasium, and the other one is

located on the side of the covered court.

Through the water analysis, the researchers only identified the present components in the

water which satisfies the selected parameters of water quality, namely Physical and Chemical

requirements.

The selected method for the water analysis is using reagents, which trigger a chemical

reaction within the water samples, that correspond to a criterion which will be further discussed in

the study.

Using these data, the researchers only focused on the potability of both water samples,

which determined if it is appropriate enough for the consumption of the students.

Definition of Terms

 Potable - suitable for drinking (potability; noun)

 Water Analysis – Sampling of liquid specimen and the analysis of their quality.

5
 CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The researchers collected water samples from the drinking stations of Mater Ecclesiae

School. Upon collecting the samples, the researchers met up with a representative of Waters

Philippines, the institution to conduct the water analysis, and interpreted the results from the water

analysis according to its chemical and physical requirements. The researchers referenced the

International Standards of Drinking Water of the World Health Organization (WHO). Below are

the stated requirements of Drinking Water.

I. CHEMICAL REQUIREMENTS

Chemical analysis has a wide range of uses in the investigation of water-supplies and of

water quality. The following sections are concerned primarily with the protection of users of public

water-supplies from dangers to health, and therefore attention is largely directed to the detection

and estimation of certain toxic chemical substances, of those which may affect health, of chemical

compounds which may impair the acceptability of the water for domestic purposes, and of certain

chemical substances which are ancillary indicators of pollution.

There are certain substances which, if present in supplies of drinking water at

concentrations above certain levels, may give rise to actual danger to health. Here are specific

parameters that will be examined within each water sample; Acidity or Alkalinity, Chlorine, and

Minerals.

6
 Fluorides occur naturally in many public water-supplies and, if present in drinking-water

in excess of 1 .O-1.5 mg of fluorine per liter, they may give rise to dental fluorosis in some children.

When present in much higher concentrations, they may, eventually, cause endemic cumulative

fluorosis with resultant skeletal damage in both children and adults. To prevent the development

of dental caries in children, several communal water-supplies are fluoridated to bring the fluorine

concentration to 1.0 mg/l.

Nitrates occur naturally in many water-supplies and may also find access to them directly

or indirectly through, for example, the discharge of raw sewage, purified sewage effluent, or barn-

yard drainage. The danger of nitrates to human health is limited to some infants under one year of

age. The ingestion of water which contains nitrates in excess of 50 to 100 mg/l (as NOJ may give

rise to infantile methaemoglobinaemia.

II. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical analysis of water mainly includes the Turbidity, Color, Taste, Temperature, and

Odor.

Turbidity is the analysis of the transparency of water. In drinking water, the higher the

level of turbidity, the higher the chance that those using it could develop gastrointestinal diseases.

Contaminants like viruses and pathogenic bacteria can attach themselves to the suspended solids.

These solids then interfere with disinfection (Lamotte, 2018).

The temperature of water affects some of the important physical properties and

characteristics of water: thermal capacity, density, specific weight, viscosity, surface tension,

specific conductivity, salinity and solubility of dissolved gases and etc. Chemical and biological

7
reaction rates increase with increasing temperature. Reaction rates usually assumed to double for

an increase in temperature of 10 °C. The temperature of water in streams and rivers throughout the

world varies from 0 to 35 °C (Zlatunova, et. Al, n.d.).

Color in water is primarily a concern of water quality for aesthetic reason. Colored water

give the appearance of being unfit to drink, even though the water may be perfectly safe for public

use. On the other hand, color can indicate the presence of organic substances, such as algae or

humic compounds. More recently, color has been used as a quantitative assessment of the presence

of potentially hazardous or toxic organic materials in water (Zlatunova, et. Al, n.d.).

Taste and odor are human perceptions of water quality. Human perception of taste includes

sour (hydrochloric acid), salty (sodium chloride), sweet (sucrose) and bitter (caffeine). Relatively

simple compounds produce sour and salty tastes. However sweet and bitter tastes are produced by

more complex organic compounds. Human detect many more tips of odour than tastes. Organic

materials discharged directly to water, such as falling leaves, runoff, etc., are sources of tastes and

odor-producing compounds released during biodegradation (Zlatunova, et. Al, n.d.).

III. REAGENTS FOR WATER TESTING

Reagents are substances used to trigger a reaction when combined with another

substance. This allows chemical analysis to be done upon a certain substance. Below are the listed

reagents used for this study:

8
TYPES OF REAGENTS

 Colorless Liquid Reagents (Ortho Toluidine) – Used for measuring residual Chlorine of

water.

 Orange Liquid Reagents (Brom Thymol, Blue) – Used for measuring Acidity or

Alkalinity of water.

 Powder Reagents (Eriochrome Black T) – Used for measuring Calcium and Magnesium

of water.

TEST OF RESIDUAL CHLORINE

COLOR WATER TYPE

Yellowish With Chlorine

None No Chlorine

Table 1 Test for Residual Chlorine (Waters Philippines, 2012)

TEST OF ACIDITY AND ALKALINITY

COLOR WATER TYPE

Yellowish Very Acidic

Greenish Blue Weakly Acidic

Green Rust Neutral

Sky Blue Weakly Alkaline

Table 2 Test for Acidity and Alkalinity (Waters Philippines, 2012)

9
TEST FOR CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM

COLOR WATER TYPE EXAMPLES

Violet With Minerals Waters, Natural Water, Tap

Water

Blue Without Minerals Distilled Water, Boiled Water

Table 3 Test for Calcium and Magnesium (Waters Philippines, 2012)

IV. WATERBORNE DISEASES

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), waterborne diseases are the deadliest

killers known to man. Below are the most common waterborne diseases that can be accumulated

through drinking water:

CHOLERA

Cholera is a waterborne illness that affects the intestine, because of the bacterium, Vibrio

cholerae. Its symptoms usually are watery diarrhea and vomiting which can lead to dehydration

and electrolyte imbalance (All About Water Filters, n.d.).

DYSENTERY

It is probably one of the most common waterborne diseases around, having killed around

600,000 children who have not yet reached the age of five coming mostly from developing

countries.

10
 The bacterial disease is caused by the microorganism called Shigella, and just like the

cholera bacterium, this bacteria attacks cells in the large intestine, resulting to abdominal cramps,

anal pain, and bloody stool (All About Water Filters, n.d.).

TYPHOID

The bacteria in water that brings this type of disease is the Salmonella typhi, and gives

symptoms quite different from cholera and dysentery. The affected person may also suffer from

diarrhea, but a more distinct symptom is the development of a skin rash with rose colored spots on

the chest and abdomen.

This disease can also enter the bloodstream, making the infected person a carrier of the

disease even if he has been cured of the symptoms. Moreover, only humans can be infected with

typhoid fever (All About Water Filters, n.d.).

SALMONELLA & E. COLI INFECTION

These two bacterial diseases have a lot in common: both come from unsanitary conditions,

filthy water containing infected feces, and meat that has not been cooked well. Even our pets can

help in the spread of salmonella through their feces. Meanwhile, a particular strain of the

Escherichia coli has the ability to produce toxins that cause illness.

Both of these water bacteria present similar symptoms in infected individuals – high fever,

abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. In the worst cases of E. coli poisoning, one could

experience kidney failure (All About Water Filters, n.d.).

11
CAMPYLOBACTER

This disease is the most common cause of diarrheal illness among humans, and the culprit

is the Campylobacter jejuni bacteria. The C. jejuni bacteria could be found not just among humans

but in a wide variety of animals. Thus, if you kill an infected farm animal for food purposes and

its meat is eaten either uncooked or barely cooked, then you’re in for a series of visits to the loo

or, in worse cases, to the hospital. Infected feces could also end up in water sources, and the

bacteria in water could be potentially harmful to anyone who takes a drink straight out of that water

(All About Water Filters, n.d.).

12
 CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

This study used the Case Study research design. This design focuses on a certain

organization, entity, individual or event and undergoes the data collection through interviews,

documents, reports and observations. In this circumstance, this study focuses on the potability of

drinking water from the drinking stations of MES, which was acquired through the results of the

water analysis that is to be done by the Waters Philippines. A market leader in home water purifiers

in the Philippines since 1996.

Through this design, the researchers were able to examine an in-depth view of the

components of drinking water from MES drinking stations, formulating a result from the data

collected, which was used to generate recommendations and information about the potability of

the drinking water from MES drinking stations.

Research Instrument

In this study, the researchers used an experimental process as their research instrument.

The aim of this study is to determine whether the drinking water from the drinking stations of

Mater Ecclesiae School is potable enough for the students and other persons within the school to

consume.

13
 Hence, the researchers collected water samples from both drinking stations and proceeded

to transfer the water samples to the Waters Philippines to conduct the water analysis that will

analyze its chemical and physical components. When the results are obtained, the researchers then

interpreted the results that were collected from the water analysis done by the Waters Philippines,

and with these results, the researchers were able to determine if the drinking water from the

drinking stations were potable.

Data Gathering Procedure

In this research, there will be no respondents included since an experimental process was

done to come up with a definite finding. In order to study the potability of the drinking water from

the drinking stations of Mater Ecclesiae School, the researchers contacted Waters Philippines to

conduct the water analysis on both water samples. A representative of the institution came to the

house of one of the researchers and conducted the water analysis using reagents. This allows the

results to be acquired in a short time, but is still reliable and efficient. The reagents were provided

by the Waters Philippines, a testing kit that contains three of the reagents used for water analysis.

The researchers provided the needed tools for acquiring the water samples, such as

sterilized containers that can contain up 500 mL of water, a cooler for storing the water samples,

and cooling packs that kept the samples fresh. Upon gathering the water samples earlier on the

same day, the researchers travelled to one of the researchers’ house and met up with the

representative. The representative conducted the water analysis by putting three droplets of the

reagents per sample. This ensures the reliability of the results. Each sample was divided into three

containers, and each was exposed to the three reagents. These reagents show the chemical reaction

14
of the water samples (change in color), that corresponds to a criterion (Refer to Chapter 2). The

result was then interpreted by the researchers, if the requirements for each aspect is fulfilled (Refer

to Chapter 2). With these data, the researchers were able to identify the potability of the drinking

water from the drinking stations of Mater Ecclesiae School.

Below are the pictures of the reagents used for the water analysis:

15
 CHAPTER 4

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter presents the specific chemical and physical parameters that were used to

measure the requirements for each certain content of the water. Moreover, this chapter also

presents the answers needed for the Statement of the Problem.

1. Does each sample satisfy the standard potability of drinking water? Specifically:

I. CHEMICAL RESULTS

Chemical requirements include the Acidity or Alkalinity of the water, Chlorine

content and the Minerals that may be found within the samples.

Based on the parameters for Chlorine content (Refer to Table 1), the residual

chlorine content of the water samples is none existent. In connection to this data, chlorine

is also used for the removal of bacteria found within the water. In the absence of Chlorine

in both water samples, therefore the bacteria were also removed. In short, the filtration of

the drinking water extracted possible Chlorine and bacteria content in the water, thus

making it potable for consuming.

According to the presented parameter for Acidity or Alkalinity (Refer to Table 2),

the Alkalinity or Acidity of both water samples are weakly alkaline. This means that the

water samples contain a high concentration of hydroxyl ions, which have greater pH level

16
 than 7.0, thus it is not acidic. Additionally, according to Waters Philippines, good natural

mineral water is neither acidic nor strongly alkaline but weakly alkaline.

Lastly, according to the parameters used for the testing of minerals such as Calcium

and Magnesium (Refer to Table 3), the water samples from both drinking stations have

minerals found within them. Although, it is only a low concentration of Calcium and

Magnesium, seeing as the result was Light Violet.

II. PHYSICAL RESULTS

The Color and Turbidity were the only examined parameters for this section of

water analysis.

The color of both water samples are none existent, thus colorless, hence it is

clean. While the Turbidity of both samples are also low. Hence, it is transparent, thus also

clean.

2. Is there a difference between the water samples from each station?

a. Components of each sample

There is no significant difference between the components of both water samples.

Each has almost the same amount of minerals, namely, Calcium and Magnesium, the

same Alkalinity or Acidity and the same Chlorine content. Bacteria were also not found

within both samples.

b. Potability of each sample

The Potability of both water samples are the same. Both are potable to consume or

drink by students, visitors, teachers and other personnel of the school.

17
3. Which of the two drinking stations produce the more potable water for the consumption of

the students?

According to the gathered data, both water samples from both drinking stations of

MES are potable, thus the drinking station near the Gymnasium and at the side of the

covered court produces potable drinking water.

18
 CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary

Water is one of the most needed essential of the human body, thus it is to be consumed

regularly in a clean way. Upon gathering the water samples from the drinking water stations of

MES, the researchers concluded that the drinking water is indeed potable to consume.

Chemical results showed that the water contains no Chlorine, thus no bacteria and the

Acidity or Alkalinity of the water is weak, and hence it is appropriate for the body. Physical results

showed that both water samples are clean, transparent and colorless.

There is no significant difference between the results of both water samples from both

drinking station, thus both are potable to drink and both drinking stations produce potable drinking

water.

Conclusion

Therefore, the researchers concluded that the waters from the drinking station are slightly

alkaline, in other words almost neutral.

It also has some minerals, mainly Calcium and Magnesium, but does not have a very high

concentration. In addition, due to the filtration the chlorine was removed, and so is the bacteria

since the chlorine’s purpose it to remove the bacteria. To sum it all, the water is potable to drink.

19
Recommendation

Therefore, the researchers recommend that Ecclesiaens can drink water from the drinking

stations of Mater Ecclesiae School at any time.

However, the researchers warn that upon collecting a portion of the drinking water in a

container, for example, one’s water bottle, one must not store it for more than 1 to 3 days. This

could cause bacteria build up and thus lowering the safety of the water.

In addition, if it is stored, it must not be directly heated by the sunlight. Furthermore, the

school must add a sub mineral, namely, coral sand to be able to store the water for a longer time.

Additionally, the researchers recommend that a Bacteriological Analysis be conducted in

order to further ensure the potability of the drinking water form the drinking stations of MES.

Lastly, other researchers may further study about the water source and use this study as a

guide or reference to other future researches.

20
 Bibliography

 All About Water Filters. (n.d). 25 Dangerous Waterborne Diseases We Need To Fight

Now Retrieved from http://all-about-water-filters.com/dangerous-water-borne-diseases-

we-need-to-fight-now/

 Ghose, T. (2015, September 29). Why Is Water So Essential for Life? Retrieved from

https://www.livescience.com/52332-why-is-water-needed-for-life.html

 Lamotte. (n.d.) What Is Turbidity? Retrieved from http://www.lamotte.com/en/blog/test-

factors/91-what-is-turbidity

 Nall, R. (2014, August 14). Why Do We Need to Drink Water? Retrieved from

https://www.livestrong.com/article/30860-need-drink-water/

 Olivares, M., M.D. & Uauy, R., PhD. (n.d). Essential Nutrients in Drinking Water

Retrieved from http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/nutrientschap4.pdf

 Waters Philippines. (2012). Master Your Path New Manila: Quezon City

 World Health Organization. (2005). Nutrients in Drinking Water Retrieved from

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/nutrientsindw.pdf

 World Health Organization. (1985). International Standards of Drinking Water Retrieved

from http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/43845/1/a91160.pdf

 Zlatunova, Penkov, Hristova, et. Al. (n.d.) Water Quality Characteristics Retrieved from

http://echo2.epfl.ch/VICAIRE/mod_2/chapt_2/main.htm

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 Appendix

March 19, 2018

Sr. Ma. Lenita S. Rivera, DVMI

Greetings of Peace through Mary, Mother of the Church!

We, the Grade 12 – Massa (STEM) students are conducting a research on “The Study on the
Potability and Safety of Drinking Water from the Different Drinking stations of Mater Ecclesiae
School” as a requirement for Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion subject. With this, we would
like to take samples from the Drinking Station inside the campus. The samples will be used to find
out the biological components of the water available in the fountain.

Thank you so much; We hope for your kindest consideration!

viii
March 31, 2018

Waters Philippines

Greetings of Peace, through Mary, Mother of the Church!

We would like to inform you that we, selected students of Grade 12 – STEM strand from Mater
Ecclesiae School, will be testing some samples of water from the campus’ drinking station,
hopefully, with your help. This aims to discover the samples’ bacteriological, chemical, physical,
and biological components as a requirement for a research study under the subject Inquiries,
Investigation, and Immersion subject.

Thank you so much, so the utmost consideration!

ix
March 05, 2018

Dear _________________,

Good day! We are students from the Grade 12 STEM strand.

We would like to invite you to be one of our panelists during the defense of our paper, regarding
“The Study on the Potability and Safety of Drinking Water from the Different Drinking stations
of Mater Ecclesiae School”.

Your presence will be greatly appreciated.

x
 Group Profile

Name: Monica F. Breis

Gender: F

Age: 19

Birthday: March 16, 1999

Address: Blk. 6B, Brgy. Gregoria de Jesus, GMA, Cavite

Contact Number: 09278064926

E-mail Address: monicabreis@yahoo.com

xi
Name: Matthew Giancarlo V. Paz

Gender: M

Age: 18

Birthday: August 25, 1999

Address: Blk. 14 lot 6 talisay street Calendola Village San Pedro, Laguna

Contact Number: 808-1584

E-mail Address: pazmatthew25@gmail.com

xii
Name: Vanne Christian B. San Esteban

Gender: M

Age: 17

Birthday: September 16, 2000

Address: Blk. 5 lot 14 Juana 6, Barangay San Francisco, Biñan, Laguna

Contact Number: 09213489729

E-mail Address: vanne_sanesteban@yahoo. com

xiii
Name: Alyssa Miles M. Alava

Gender: F

Age: 18

Birthday: June 8, 1999

Address: #07 Saturn St. Pacita 2 San Pedro, Laguna

Contact Number: 09774526473

E-mail Address: mellandaly60@gmail.com

xiv