Identifying potential concerns on surface water resources usage through citizen scientific field investigation in the Province of Antique, Philippines

This research conducted a citizen scientific field investigation and water quality assessment of nine major rivers using only on-site equipment and a smartphone in the Province of Antique, Philippines. Potential issues concerning water resources management in the province were discussed with local governors and citizens while conducting the water sampling and on-site measurement. The results of water quality assessments revealed that some of the rivers have experienced high turbidity, caused by anthropogenic activities such as embankment, sand mining, and dredging. In highly populated basins, such as the Sibalom and Malandog Rivers, a high biochemical oxygen demand level (>7 mg/L) was confirmed by the water quality analysis using an iPhone. Since high consumption of groundwater has already affected the lives of people in the province, surface water usage shifting from groundwater, involving the construction of a facility treating physical and chemical parameters, is needed. The citizen scientific approach employed in this research can provide more realistic insights into local environmental concerns, which would not be possible through quantitative measurements of water quality. HIGHLIGHTS The water quality of nine major rivers was assessed in the Province of Antique, Philippines.; Citizen scientific field investigation and water quality analysis used only an iPhone and an on-site water quality meter.; Some rivers have experienced siltation caused by anthropogenic activities.; A high biochemical oxygen demand level was confirmed in highly populated basins.; There is a need for a shift from groundwater to surface water usage.;