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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.;

Southeast Asian countries are facing unstable water resource situations, experiencing high water stress as a result in their river basins, particularly around large population cities. This research has assessed basin-scale water stress by estimating the amount of water resources and water use for all river basins in Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia. A simple water stress assessment methodology using a Geographic Information System revealed the basins vulnerable to high water stress around the capital areas in all five countries. The population ratio was under high-moderate and high water stress at 29.3% in Indonesia, 41.8% in Thailand, 31.9% in the Philippines, 43.3% in Vietnam, and 19.9% in Malaysia. The results imply that large populations depend on limited water resources. The basin-scale assessment conducted in this research could be used in support of the water resources management planning at an inter-basin scale aiming to neutralize water stress.

This paper aims to investigate the feasibility offlood management based onthe concept of Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) via a literature review and field surveys. The investigationfocused on the primary industry of oil palm plantations in Malaysia. Although the country is promoting the palm oil industry, the impact of oil palm plantations on the local environment has been relatively disregarded because of the benefits and opportunities, such as subsidies, jobs, and amenities,which the local companies/people can obtain. Effective flood management inoil palm plantations entails the local peoples’ understanding and participation in the management activities, such as removing fallen leaves and weeding an area. Theflood management strategiessuggested inthis research provide new insights into local flood management, which usually focuses on the hydrologic aspects, by promoting the integration of the actual-local environment and local people’s actions for their environment within the framework of IWM.

This research assessed water quality, based on the purpose of water consumption, in households in the municipality of Barbaza, the Province of Antique, Philippines, according to the national water quality guidelines. The effects of the empirical/traditional water use actions taken by local people on the quality of the water they use were investigated through a descriptive study using water quality measurements. Most of the drinking water in the community did not meet the required standards of pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), or coliform. Tap water and well water samples generally met the pH and TDS standards. However, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and coliform were detected, and nitrogen pollution in well water was also confirmed. Local practices, such as using old clothes as filters for well pumps, increased the coliform concentration from 0-10 CFU/mL to too numerous to count (TNTC) levels of more than 100 CFU/mL. Storing well water in a bucket also affected both E. coli and coliform concentrations. Such empirical/traditional water use actions create a high risk of exposing local people to harmful microorganisms. This research integrated citizen science into the methodology for local water management, which could assist governors, practitioners, and citizens, particularly in Southeast Asia, where strong community relationships exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to investigate the actual water use of residents and the quality of well water used daily at the urban kampung located in Bandung, Indonesia. The status of wastewater treatment and residents' awareness of the water environment were also investigated in the target area. The methodology used included a survey of residents, water quality testing, and an assessment of wastewater practices. The results showed that approximately one-half of the respondents used water from the water utility, with the other half using well water as their main domestic water source. Identifying water sources by end-use revealed that residents mainly used bottled water for drinking and cooking. Since Escherichia coli was detected in many wells, it is not recommended that residents drink well water without disinfection. In addition, most of the wastewater in the area was discharged into a nearby river without treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]