2nd Quarter, Environmental Science: Water

2nd Quarter, Environmental Science
Water
 Water, a substance composed of the chemical elements hydrogen and oxygen.
 Water Physical Attributes
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 Water forms and Distribution
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 Distribution of Water on Earth
4
Importance of Water to human beings
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Water Problems in The community
MAJOR RIVER BASINS IN THE PHILIPPINES
The total freshwater supply of the country consists of surface water
(runoff, or the portion of the rainfall that flows into streams), and groundwater (the portion which
penetrates into the groundwater reservoir).
The five principal river basins (larger than 5,000 km2 )

 Cagayan River Basin (25,469 km2 ) in North Luzon
 Mindanao River Basin (23,169 km2 ) and Agusan River Basin (10,921km2 ), both in
Mindanao Island
 Pampanga River Basin (9,759 km2 ) and the Agno River Basin (5,952km2 ) both in Luzon
Island.
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RA 9275 – The Philippine Clean Water
Act
 What is the Clean Water Act?
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The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (Republic Act No. 9275) aims to protect the country’s
water bodies from pollution from land-based sources (industries and commercial establishments,
agriculture and community/household activities). It provides for a comprehensive and integrated
strategy to prevent and minimize pollution through a multi-sectoral and participatory approach
involving all the stakeholders.
 Why the need for the Clean Water Act?
As early as 1996, monitoring of the country’s rivers showed that only 51% of the classified rivers
still met the standards for their most beneficial use. The rest were already polluted from domestic,
industrial and agricultural sources.
Most studies point to the fact that domestic wastewater is the principal cause of organic pollution
(at 48%) of our water bodies. Yet, only 3% of investments in water supply and sanitation were
going to sanitation and sewage treatment.
A recent World Bank report pointed out that Metro Manila was second to the lowest in sewer
connections among major cities in Asia and less than 7% compared to 20% for Katmandu, Nepal
and 30% for Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Thirty-one percent (31%) of all illnesses in the country are attributed to polluted waters. Clearly, to
ensure access to clean water for all Filipinos, it was imperative that government put together a
comprehensive strategy to protect water quality.
 What are the prohibited acts under R.A. 9275?
Among others, the Act prohibits the following:
1. Discharging or depositing any water pollutant to the water body, or such which will
impede natural flow in the water body
2. Discharging, injecting or allowing to enter into the soil, anything that would pollute
groundwater
3. Operating facilities that discharge regulated water pollutants without the valid
required permits
4. Disposal of potentially infectious medical waste into sea by vessels
5. Unauthorized transport or dumping into waters of sewage sludge or solid waste.
6. Transport, dumping or discharge of prohibited chemicals, substances or pollutants
listed under Toxic Chemicals, Hazardous and Nuclear
7. Wastes Control Act (Republic.Act No. 6969)
8. Discharging regulated water pollutants without the valid required discharge permit
pursuant to this Act
9. Noncompliance of the LGU with the Water Quality Framework and Management Area
Action Plan
10. Refusal to allow entry, inspection and monitoring as well as access to reports and
records by the DENR in accordance with this Act
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11. Refusal or failure to submit reports and/or designate pollution control officers
whenever required by the DENR in accordance with this Act
12. Directly using booster pumps in the distribution system or tampering with the water
supply in such a way to alter or impair the water quality
13. Operate facilities that discharge or allow to seep, willfully or through grave
negligence, prohibited chemicals, substances, or pollutantslisted under R.A. No.
6969, into water bodies.
14. Undertake activities or development and expansion of projects, or operating
wastewater treatment/sewerage facilities in violation of P.D.1586 and its IRR.
15. What are the fines and penalties imposed on polluters?
The following are among the fines and penalties for violators of this Act and its IRR:
Upon the recommendation of the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB), anyone who commits
prohibited acts such as discharging untreated wastewater into any water body will be fined for
every day of violation, the amount of not less than Php 10,000 but not more than Php 200,000.
Failure to undertake clean-up operations willfully shall be punished by imprisonment of not less
than two years and not more than four years. This also includes a fine of not less than Php 50,000
and not more than Php 100,000 per day of violation. Failure or refusal to clean up which results in
serious injury or loss of life or lead to irreversible water contamination of surface, ground, coastal
and marine water shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than 6 years and 1 day and not
more than 12 years and a fine of Php 500,000/day for each day the contamination or omission
continues.
In cases of gross violation, a fine of not less than Php 500,000 but not more than Php 3,000,000
will be imposed for each day of violation. Criminal charges may also be filed.
 Who should implement the Clean Water Act?
The DENR is the primary government agency responsible for the implementation and enforcement
of this Act, with the support of other government organizations, local government units, non
-government organizations and the private sector.
Towards this end, the DENR will review and set affluent standards, review and enforce water
quality guidelines, classify groundwater sources and prepare a national groundwater vulnerability
map, classify or reclassify water bodies, establish internationally accepted procedures for sampling
and analysis, prepare an integrated water quality management framework and subsequently
prepare 10-year management plans for each water management area.
The roles of other key government agencies are:
• The Philippine Coast Guard shall enforce water quality standards in marine waters, specifically
from offshore sources.
• The Department of Public Works and Highways through its attached agencies shall provide
sewerage and sanitation facilities, and the efficient and safe collection, treatment and disposal of
sewage within their area of jurisdiction.
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• The Department of Agriculture shall formulate guidelines for the re-use of wastewater for
irrigation and other agricultural uses and for the prevention, control and abatement of pollution
from agricultural and aquaculture activities.
• The Department of Health shall set, revise and enforce drinking water quality standards.
• The Department of Science and Technology shall evaluate, verify, develop and disseminate
pollution prevention and cleaner production technologies.
• The Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Interior and
Local Government, and the Philippine Information Agency shall prepare and implement a
comprehensive and continuing public education and information program.
2nd Quarter, Environmental Science
Reflection
In this quarter, there are many knowledge and discoveries that could qualify as life-
changing. The lessons helped me to understand water. It also urged me to save water.
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2nd Quarter, Environmental Science

The five principal river basins (larger than 5,000 km2 )

 Why the need for the Clean Water Act?

 What are the prohibited acts under R.A. 9275?

Among others, the Act prohibits the following:

 Who should implement the Clean Water Act?

The roles of other key government agencies are:

2nd Quarter, Environmental Science

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