BALANCING SAFETY AND TOXICITY: A REVIEW OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY, TREATMENT, AND DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS IN THE PHILIPPINE CONTEXT

Abstract

Water is a critical resource for survival, yet its quality is continually compromised by anthropogenic and natural factors. This review examines the current state of drinking water in the Philippines, specifically focusing on the Cagayan de Oro region. It explores the efficacy of standard water treatment processes—coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection—while highlighting the "double-edged sword" of chemical disinfection. While disinfectants like chlorine are essential for eradicating waterborne pathogens, they react with natural organic matter to form potentially carcinogenic Disinfection By-products (DBPs), such as Trihalomethanes (THMs). This article synthesizes literature on physico-chemical contaminants, heavy metals, and the regulatory frameworks (PNSDW, USEPA, WHO) governing water safety, identifying a significant gap in local research regarding THM formation potential.