Iloilo City – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau VI (MGB-6), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) completed the groundwater resources assessment in Alimodian, Iloilo this month of September. This is to get comparable data from the assessment conducted in March and April, months in the dry season of the year.
Senior geologist Adrian Nichol L. Lizada of MGB-6 said groundwater resource assessment was conducted in the 51 barangays in Alimodian through point surveys of different water sources such as shallow or deep wells, springs, and hand pumps, and doing an inventory of the data collected specifically GPS location, elevation, and information about each water source.
The assessment also gathers data on the usage, persistent problems in groundwater resources’ quality and supply, history, and other relevant data. For each water source, static water levels are measured using a water level sounder. In-situ water testing is also done in order to record basic physical water properties such as temperature, pH (acidity of alkalinity), electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids. At a later part of the assessment, geo-resistivity surveys to delineate the depths of possible aquifers in the study area will be done.
The groundwater resources assessment produces technical reports and a Groundwater Availability Map. These can be used by the local government units and local policymakers in their strategic local resource use planning to ensure that there is a regulation of groundwater extraction and usage. The data gathered can also aid in further sustainability studies, and as a reference for the identification of alternative groundwater sources.
Groundwater resources assessment is one of the projects under the Geological Risk Reduction and Resiliency Program of the MGB, DENR that maps and looks into the status of the country’s groundwater resources. The project aims to evaluate resources in the country by producing groundwater availability maps or hydrogeological maps. The study helps determine the availability and quality of groundwater resources in various rock units and characterize groundwater basins.
MGB VI has also completed the groundwater resources assessment of Cabatuan and San Miguel, Iloilo, two other target areas this year. (MGB VI)
