The Bitan-ag creek downstream traversing the business district of Cagayan de Oro, Philippines was burdened by proliferation of informal settlers and ongoing construction projects, changing the landscape of the creek. This study was conducted to derive an estimate of risk assessment on the present water quality of the creek. Selected physicochemical analyses (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, salinity, acidity, and alkalinity), rapid toxicity test (brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLT)), risk quotient (RQ) analysis, and water quality index (WQI) served as basis to extrapolate creek water quality status. Overall, the studied physicochemical properties of Bitan-ag creek downstream were within the standards except for elevated concentrations of salinity, TDS, and conductivity. The RQ analyses indicated water quality risks with DO, salinity, TDS, and conductivity in all temporal factors. This was in agreement with WQI analyses indicating unsuitable water quality index. Risk assessment through BSLT similarly established LC50 of 9.293% v/v of the creek water. Extrapolating from the present findings, the Bitan-ag creek downstream was heavily affected by anthropogenic inputs of adjacent communities and establishments. Overall, the study can be a basis for policy implementation for the rehabilitation of the changed Bitan-ag creek landscape.
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