Water is an important resource vital for all life. The conservation and sustainable use of water resources are important for maintaining the ecological health of the system and the various organisms that depend on it.
The College of Fisheries in Central Luzon State University continues its community outreach program through monitoring the water quality of ecotourism sites in Nueva Ecija like the Nabao Lake, a 38-hectare freshwater lake situated in Barangay Santa Rita, adjacent to Barangay San Carlos in the Municipality of Cabiao, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Painted in the background of Nabao Lake is the scenic Mount Arayat that lures local people and other visitors to enjoy the food served in several stalls in the park.
This community outreach program also serves as a laboratory for graduate students engaged in water quality assessment. The SDG 14 Life Below Water is chaired by Dr. Ravelina R. Velasco, College Dean together with the Department Heads of Aquatic Resources, Ecology and Management, Dr. Lorenz J. Fajardo, and Aquatic Post-Harvest, Dr. Alvin T. Reyes, and with the strong team support from the University, College and the Local Government Unit as well.
Results of monitoring conducted last April 29, 2022 showed that the analyzed water quality parameters such as temperature, total dissolved solids, pH, hardness, alkalinity, total ammonia-nitrogen, phosphorus, and total coliform count were within the desirable ranges set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau. This means that the river water is suitable for use under Class B (recreational) and Class C (propagation of fish and other aquatic resources). The results of the water quality assessment are shared to the Ecotourism Management Team of Cabiao, Nueva Ecija responsible for the recommendation of policies and regulations in the management of the lake.
