Assessment of the environmental impacts of the proposed water resource development project on the lake water and Aquaculture Industry of Taal Lake, Batangas province.

Date

1993

Abstract

The study was undertaken to predict and assess the significant environmental impacts of the proposed Water Resource Development Project on Taal Lake ecosystem. It viewed the lake as an ecosystem consisting of three

4 functionally related sub-systems, namely, the physico-chemical, biological and socio-economic subsystems in the assessment of the project's impact through an environmental impact assessment study. The study considered the lake as the unit of analysis with regard to lake volume and data were gathered from the fish cage operators of Birinayan and Leviste for the aquaculture component.Water resource projects can cause a major effect of altering water level and consequently have effects on the lake-s resources and other uses such as for aquaculture. Using a mathematical equation in the projection of water demand for a period of 50 years, the study showed that water withdrawal for municipal water supply for the intended 17 municipality beneficiaries is feasible with lake volume as the only consideration. However, withdrawal of water for both municipal and irrigation water supply pose a threat as it can lower the water to about 3.5 to 3.9 m which is beyond the critical 2.5 m surface water level of the lake above sea level. Other impact identified and discussed include change in land use, erosion and sedimentation, reduction in freshwater flows, possible salt water intrusion downstream, and probable interference to migration, spawning and development stages of aquatic organisms. Impacts on water quality include deterioration of water quality caused by pollution depending on where the proposed developments will be located. Birinayan and Leviste, sites for aquaculture, may be most effected as culture of fish depends on good water quality. In terms of exposure, the cages will not be affected very much as these are located in very deep areas except for some cages located near the shore.Recommendations to be included in the proposed project include incorporation of a watershed management plan, monitoring of water quality, and provision for waste treatment facilities, among others.Above all, volcanic activity poses a constant threat as it can destroy the project in the event of eruption or earthquakes. There is also the need for public information on the need for the project to give a better understanding of the benefits versus the drawbacks of the proposed activity.

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree

Master of Science in Environmental Science

College

School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM)

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