MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF THE WATER QUALITY OF TAAL LAKE, TALISAY, BATANGAS, PHILIPPINES

This paper presents an update on the physico-chemical properties of the Taal Lake for local government officials and representatives of non-government organizations by monitoring and evaluating a total of nine (9) water quality parameters. The study further shows that the Taal Lake’s surface temperature, pH, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, color, and dissolved oxygen content conform to the standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural resources(DENR); while phosphate, chlorine, and 5-Day 20°C BOD are below the standard. Likewise, the Ttest result shows no significant difference in the overall average of the two sites at the Taal Lake (P> 0.05). Based on the data, the Lake is safe for primary contact recreation such as bathing,swimming and skin diving, and can be used for aqua culture purposes.