Gasoline Station Spillage: Its Effect on Ground Water

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of gasoline station spillage on the ground water of the 3^rd District Municipalities of Cagayan. Specifically, it determined the practices of Gasoline Stations; the pathogenic or coliform organisms through bacteriological parameters which are found/present in the ground water; the concentration of Total Dissolved Solids; and other chemical constituents through physico-chemical analysis present like lead or zinc. It also compared the physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters of the 3^rd District Municipalities of Cagayan. Lastly, it spelled out remedial measures undertaken by the Gasoline Stations to minimize or avoid spillage. The study revealed that refilling service is expected to be the service most availed in gasoline stations. This is attributed to the fact that gasoline stations are really intended for refilling of diesel and gasoline products. The other services are just side services offered by the gas stations. The waste storage practices of the gasoline stations are still traditional as indicated by the ways in which their waste is disposed. Most of the total dissolved solids of the different gasoline stations in the 3^rd district Municipalities of Cagayan are within the tolerable level set by PNSDW. Total hardness and chloride content of the ground water of the different gasoline stations are all within the tolerable amount. In terms of sulfate content, 61.71 percent are within the tolerable amount while 35.92 percent are beyond the tolerable amount. The ground water of the different gasoline stations contains more iron than manganese.  They also contain traces of lead at approximately less than 0.05 parts per million of lead (<0.05). Likewise, significant difference was observed when the chloride content was compared with the different municipalities. While E. coli result is not significantly different when compared with the different quantitative parameters. The same was observed when compared with the waste disposals. Spillage can be minimized by the gasoline stations if they keep their waste in proper disposals.

Key Words: gasoline spillage, ground water