DENR Administrative Order No.

34 Series of 1990

Year of Enactment Enacted in 1990

and Implementation
Purpose Water Usage and Classification
Control Area Nationwide
Overview Water classification is the primary component in water quality management for which
goals/objectives of each of the water bodies are met. Three activities are involved namely:
establishments of water bodies beneficial use, identification of water quality indicators (or
criteria pollutants) and water quality suitable for each use. In the Philippines classification
is a very important component of water quality management since the application of
effluent standards are dependent on this classification. This administrative order classifies
water bodies into five (5) classes, ie.e AA, A, A, C for inland fresh waters and four (4)
classes for marine and coastal water, i.e. SA, SB, SC and SD.
Features Effluent Standards for different water quality parameters are described below:

Water Usage and Classifications

A) Fresh Surface Water (river, lakes, reservoir, etc.)

Classification Beneficial Use

Class AA Public Water Supply Class 1. This class is intended primarily for
waters having watersheds which are uninhabited and otherwise
protected and which require only approved disinfection in order
to meet the National standards for Drinking Water (NSDW) of
the Philippines.
Class A Public Water Supply Class 2. For sources of water supply that
will require complete treatment (coagulation, sedimentation,
filtration, and disinfection) in order to meet the NSDW.
Class B Recreational Water Class 1. For primarily contact recreation
such as bathing, swimming, skin diving, etc. (particularly those
designated for tourism purpose.)
Class C a. Fishery Water for the propagation and growth of fish and
other aquatic resources.
b. Recreational water class 2 (boating, etc)
c. Industrial Water supply class 1 (from manufacturing
processes after treatment)

Class D 1. For agriculture, irrigation, live stocks watering, etc.)

2. Industrial Water supply class 2 (e.g. cooling, etc.)Other
3. inland waters by their quality belong to this
classification.

Coastal and Marine Waters

Classification Beneficial Use

 Class SA 1. Waters suitable for the propagation survival and
harvesting of selfish, for commercial purposes.
2. Tourist Zones and national marine parks and reserves
established under Presidential Proclamation No. 1801;
existing laws and/or declared as such by appropriate
government agency.
3. Coral reef parks and reserves designated by law and
concerned authorities.
4. Waters suitable for the propagation survival and
harvesting of selfish, for commercial purposes.
5. Tourist Zones and national marine parks and reserves
established under Presidential Proclamation No. 1801;
existing laws and/or declared as such by appropriate
government agency.
6. Coral reef parks and reserves designated by law and
concerned authorities.

Class SB 1. Recreational Water Class 1 (areas regularly used by the

public for bathing swimming, skin diving, etc.)
2. Fishery Water class 3 (spawning areas for Chanos
chanos or “Bangus” and similar species.

Class CS 1. Recreational Water class 3 (e.g. boating, etc.)

2. Fishery Water class 2 (commercial and sustenance
fishing).
3. Marchy and/or mangrove areas declared as fish and
wildlife sanctuaries.

Class SD 1. Industrial Water supply class 2 (e.g. cooling, etc.)

2. Other coastal and marine waters, by their quality, belong
to this classification.

Water Quality Criteria

(a) Minimum Criteria for Surface Waters. All surface waters of the country shall be
free from:

1. Domestic, industrial, agricultural, or other man-induced non-thermal components of

discharges which, alone or in combination with other substances or in combination with
other components of discharges (whether thermal or non-thermal)

i. That settle to form putrescent deposits or otherwise create a nuisance; or

ii. That float as debris, scum, oil, or other matter in such amounts as to form
nuisances; or
iii. That produce color, odor, taste, turbidity, or other conditions in such degree as to
create a nuisance; or
iv. That are acutely toxic; or
v. That are present in concentrations which are carcinogenic, mutagenic, or
teratogenic to human beings or to significant, locally occurring wildlife or aquatic
 species; or
vi. That pose a serious danger to the public health, safety or welfare.

2. Thermal components of discharges which alone, or in combination with other

discharges or components of discharges (whether thermal or non-thermal):

i. That produce conditions so as to create nuisance; or

ii. That increase the temperature of the receiving body of water (RBW) so as to cause
substantial damage or harm to the aquatic life or vegetation therein or interfere
with the beneficial uses assigned to the RBW.

(b) Water Quality Criteria for Fresh Waters.

1. Conventional and Other Pollutants Affecting Aesthetics and Oxygen Demand.–

Please refer to Table 1 for the parameters and limits or specifications according to
classification and use of the receiving body of water (RBW).

Table 1 - Water Quality Criteria for Conventional and Other Pollutants

Contributing to Aesthetics and Oxygen Demand for Fresh Waters (a)
PARAMETER UNIT CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS
AA A B C D (b)
Color PCU 15 50 (c) (c) (c)
Temperature (d) °C rise 3 3 3 3
(max. rise in deg.
Celcius)
pH (range) 6.5 - 8.5 6.5 - 8.5 6.5 - 8.5 6.5 - 8.5 6.0 - 9.0
Dissolved % 705.0 705.0 705.0 605.0 403.0
Oxygen (e) satnmg/L
(Minimum)
5-Day 20°C BOD mg/L 1 5 5 7(10) 10(15)
Total Suspended mg/L 25 50 (f) (g) (h)
Solids
Total Dissolved mg/L 500 (i) 1,000 (i) - - 1,000 (i)
Solids
Surfactants mg/L nil 0.2(0.5) 0.3(0.5) 0.5 -
(MBAS)
Oil/Grease mg/L nil 1 1 2 5
(Petroleum Ether
Extracts)
Nitrate as mg/L 1.0 10 nr 10(j) -
Nitrogen
Phosphate as mg/L nil 0.1(k) 0.2(k) 0.4(k) -
Phosphorus
Phenolic mg/L nil 0.002 0.005(l) 0.02(l) -
Substances as
Phenols
 Total Coliforms MPN/100 50(m) 1,000(m) 1,000(m) 5,000(m) -
mL
Or Fecal MPN/100 20(m) 100(m) 200(m) - -
Coliforms mL
Chloride as Cl mg/L 250 250 - 350 -
Copper mg/L 1.0 1.0 - 0.05(o) -
Footnotes for Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4.
(a)-Except as otherwise indicated, the numerical limits in Tables 1 and 3 are
yearly average values. Values enclosed in parentheses are maximum values.
(b)-For irrigation purposes, SAR should have a minimum value of 8 and a
maximum value not to exceed 18. Boron should not exceed 0.75 mg/L.
(c)-No abnormal discoloration from unnatural causes
(d)-The allowable temperature increase over the average ambient temperature
for each month. This rise shall be based on the average of the maximum daily
temperature readings recorded at the site but upstream of the mixing zone over
a period of one (1) month.
(e)-Sampling taken between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM
(f)-Not more than 30% increase
(g)-Not more than 30 mg/L increase
(h)-Not more than 60 mg/L increase
(i)-Do not apply if natural background is higher in concentration. The latter will
prevail and will be used as baseline
(j)-Applicable only to lakes or reservoirs, and similarly impounded water
(k)-When applied to lakes or reservoirs, the Phosphate as P concentration
should not exceed an average of 0.05 mg/L nor a maximum of 0.1 mg/L
(l)-Not present in concentrations to affect fish flavor/taste
(m)-These values refer to the geometric mean of the most probable number of
coliform organism during a 3-month period and that the limit indicated shall not
be exceeded in 20 percent of the samples taken during the same period
(n)-For spawning areas for Chanoschanos and other similar species
(o)-Limit is in terms of dissolved coppernil-Extremely low concentration and
not detectable by existing equipment----Means the standard of these substances
are not considered necessary for the present time, considering the stage of the
country's development and DENR capabilities, equipment and resources
nr-Means No Recommendation made

2. Toxic and other Deleterious Substances. - The maximum limits for these types of
pollutants according to classifications or use of the receiving body of water are found in
Table 2.

Table 2 - Water Quality Criteria for Toxic and Other Deleterious

Substances for Fresh Waters (For the Protection of Public Health)
PARAMETER UNIT CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS
AA A B C D
Arsenic (i) mg/L 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.01
Cadmium (i) mg/L 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.05
Chromium (i) mg/L 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 -----
 (hexavalent)
Cyanide mg/L 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 -----
Lead (i) mg/L 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 -----
Total Mercury (i) mg/L 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002
Organophosphate mg/L nil nil nil nil nil
Aldrin mg/L 0.001 0.001 - - -
DDT mg/L 0.05 0.05 - - -
Dieldrin mg/L 0.001 0.001 - - -
Heptachlor mg/L nil nil - - -
Lindane mg/L 0.004 0.004 - - -
Toxaphane mg/L 0.005 0.005 - - -
Methoxychlor mg/L 0.10 0.10 - - -
Chlordane mg/L 0.003 0.003 - - -
Endrin mg/L nil nil - - -
PCB mg/L 0.001 0.001 - - -
Note:

1. Limiting values of organophosphates and organochlorines may in the

meantime serve as guidelines in the interim period pending the
procurement and availability of necessary laboratory equipment. For
Barium, Cobalt, Fluoride, Iron, Lithium, Manganese, Nickel, Selenium,
Silver and Vanadium, the 1978 NPCC Rules and Regulations, Section
69 may be considered.
2. For footnotes please refer to Table 1.

(c) Coastal and Marine Waters Criteria.

1. Conventional and Other Pollutants Affecting Aesthetics and Oxygen Demand. The
criteria for Class SA, SB, SC and SD are found in Table 3.

Table 3 - Water Quality Criteria for Conventional and Other Pollutants

Affecting Aesthetics and Exerting Oxygen Demand for Coastal and Marine
Waters. (A)
PARAMETER UNIT CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS
SA SB SC SD
Color PCU (c) (c) (c) (c)
Temperature (d) (max. °C rise 3 3 3 3
rise in deg. Celsius)
pH (range) 6.5 - 8.5 6.0 - 8.5 6.0 - 8.5 6.0 - 9.0
Dissolved Oxygen (e) % 705.0 705.0 705.0 502.0
(Minimum) satnmg/L
5-Day 20°C BOD mg/L 3 5 7(10) -
 Total Suspended Solids mg/L (f) (g) (g) (h)
Surfactants (MBAS) mg/L 0.2 0.3 0.5 -
Oil/Grease (Petroleum mg/L 1 2 3 5
Ether Extract)
Phenolic Substances as mg/L nil 0.01 (1) -
Phenols
Total Coliforms MPN/100 70(m) 1,000(m) 5,000(m) -
mL
Fecal Coliforms MPN/100 nil 200(m) - -
mL
Copper Mg/L - 0.02(n) 0.05 (o) -
(o)
Note: For footnotes please refer to Table 1.

2. Toxic and Other Deleterious Substances. The maximum limits for toxic and other
deleterious substances for waters classified as Class SA, SB, SC and SD waters are found
in Table 4.

Table 4 - Water Quality Criteria for Toxic and Other Deleterious

Substances for Coastal and Marine Waters (for the Protection of Public
Health)
PARAMETER UNIT CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS
SA SB SC SD
Arsenic (i) mg/L 0.05 0.05 0.05 -
Cadmium (i) mg/L 0.01 0.01 0.01 -
Chromium mg/L 0.05 0.1 0.1 -
(i)(hexavalent)
Cyanide mg/L 0.05 0.05 0.05 -
Lead (i) mg/L 0.05 0.05 0.05 -
Total Mercury (i) mg/L 0.002 0.002 0.002 -
Organophosphate mg/L nil nil nil -
Aldrin mg/L 0.001 - - -
DDT mg/L 0.05 - - -
Dieldrin mg/L 0.001 - - -
Heptachlor mg/L nil - - -
Lindane mg/L 0.004 - - -
Toxaphane mg/L 0.005 - - -
Methoxychlor mg/L 0.10 - - -
Chlordane mg/L 0.003 - - -
Endrin mg/L nil - - -
PCB mg/L 0.001 - - -
 Note:

1. Limiting values of organophosphates and organochlorines may in the

meantime serve as guidelines in the interim period pending the
procurement and availability of necessary laboratory equipment. For
Barium, Cobalt, Fluoride, Iron, Lithium, Manganese, Nickel,
Selenium, Silver and Vanadium, the 1978 NPCC Rules and
Regulations, Section 69 may be considered.
2. For footnotes please refer to Table 1.

(d) Methods of analysis. - For purposes of these regulations, any water sample taken for
the purpose of classification or for determining compliance with the water quality criteria
shall be analyzed in accordance with the methods enumerated in Table 5. The table also
applies to determine compliance to effluent regulations

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