DAVAO CITY — The Davao and Talomo River Water Quality Management Areas (WQMA) has been undergoing validation for the 2025 Most Outstanding WQMA award.
Scheduled from May 13 to 16, 2025, the event will highlight the region’s efforts in improving water quality, implementing pollution control measures, fostering stakeholder collaboration, and ensuring sustainability.
The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Davao Region explained that the validation process will include site visits to key facilities such as the Davao City Septage Management Plant and the communal sanitation facility of the Davao City Water District (DCWD).
Validators will also meet with stakeholders, including the WQMA Chairperson, EMB Regional Director, and local communities, to assess the effectiveness of initiatives. Activities like tree planting, river clean-ups, and environmental awareness campaigns have been pivotal in engaging stakeholders and promoting sustainable practices.
Davao River, designated as a WQMA in 2013, and Talomo River, designated in 2016, have seen significant improvements in water quality. Efforts to reduce Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Fecal Coliform levels have been supported by programs like riverbank enhancements, septage collection cycles, and the adoption of innovative wastewater treatment technologies such as the Vertical Helophyte Filter System.
Stakeholder collaboration has been a cornerstone of success, with the Penta Helix Model fostering partnerships among government, industry, academia, communities, and media. Initiatives like the “An-Act-for-Impact” subprogram have encouraged active participation in water quality monitoring, solid waste management, and livelihood programs.
Water quality in Davao and Talomo Rivers is monitored through a combination of field assessments, laboratory analyses, and stakeholder collaboration. Key methods include: 1) On-Site Water Sampling: Regular sampling is conducted at designated monitoring stations along the rivers to collect real-time data on water quality parameters; 2) Laboratory Testing: Samples are analyzed for critical indicators such as Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Fecal Coliform (FC), and Phosphates, which are affected by anthropogenic activities like runoff, sewage management, and industrial effluents; 3) Ambient Water Quality Monitoring: Long-term monitoring programs track changes in water quality over time.
For Talomo River, data is collected from 2016 to 2022, while for Davao River, monitoring spans from 2012 to 2022.
Other monitoring methods included: 4) Problem Analysis and Stakeholder Engagement: Issues affecting water quality are identified through surveys within a 1-km radius of monitoring stations, key informant interviews, and community engagements. Stakeholders collaborate to develop action plans and implement solutions. 5) Technological Innovations: Advanced systems like the Vertical Helophyte Filter System (VHFS) are used to treat wastewater and reduce pollutants. Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) are also being installed in tributaries like Suawan River to enhance monitoring capabilities. And 6) Pollution Control Measures: Physical inspections of installed facilities, compliance records, and industry adherence to wastewater treatment standards are conducted to ensure pollution control initiatives are effective.
These efforts are complemented by community programs, such as septage collection cycles and environmental awareness campaigns, to address sources of pollution and improve water quality sustainably.
Sustainability remains a priority, with the updated 2023-2029 DR-TR WQMA Action Plan ensuring long-term impact. The Risk-Benefit Score Analysis methodology is being used to prioritize pollution control efforts effectively.
With the validation at hand, the Davao and Talomo River WQMA continue to exemplify innovation, collaboration, and commitment to environmental stewardship, setting a benchmark for water quality management in the Philippines. (RVC/PIA-Davao)
