University of San Agustin

COURSE DESCRIPTION :
THE COURSE COVERS THE ECOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK OF SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT; POLLUTION ENVIRONMENTS: WATER, AIR, AND SOLID; WASTE
TREATMENT PROCESSES, DISPOSAL, AND MANAGEMENT; GOVERNMENT
LEGISLATION, RULES, AND REGULATION RELATED TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND WASTE
MANAGEMENT; AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
COURSE OUTCOMES:
1. DISCUSS ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING, ECOLOGY OF LIFE,
ECOSYSTEM. CO1
2. IDENTIFY THE VARIOUS EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION. CO2
3. SUMMARIZE THE EXISTING LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS OF THE
GOVERNMENT ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. CO3
4. IDENTIFY, PLAN AND SELECT APPROPRIATE DESIGN TREATMENT SCHEMES FOR
WASTE DISPOSAL. CO4
5. RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF WASTE MANAGEMENT AND ITS RELEVANCE
TO THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION. CO5
CREDIT UNITS: 3
NO. OF HOOURS: 3 HOURS (LECTURE)
COURSE PRE-REQUISITES
(CO-REQUISITES): 3RD YEAR STANDING
TECHNOLOGY COMPONENT:
STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGE TO MANIPULATE MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION AND USE
OF INTERNET
ILLUSTRATIONS:
ASSESSMENT TASKS:
1. STUDENTS WILL BE GIVEN ACTIVITIES FOR EACH PARTICULAR SUBJECT MATTER
OF THE MODULE.
2. STUDENTS WILL GIVEN AN ASSIGNED TASKS AT THE END OF EACH MODULE
(E.G. JOURNAL CRITIQUE OR REACTION PAPER AT LEAST 3 PAGES)
3. ACTIVE PARTICIPATION DURING ONLINE AND OFFLINE CLASS.
PERFORMANCE STANDARD AND EVALUATION SYSTEM:
1. THE STUDENT IS GRADED ON PER MODULE BASIS. CUT-OFF SCORE = 60%
OF RAW SCORE
2. STUDENT MUST PASS AT LEAST 80% OF ALL MODULES IN ORDER TO PASS
THE COURSE.
3. STUDENTS WHO FAILED TO PASS THE 80% OF THE REQUIREMENT WILL BE
GIVEN CHANCE TO TAKE REMOVAL EXAMINATION FOR FAILED MODULES IN
A TERM AFTER THE MAJOR EXAM.
4. THE MAXIMUM EQUIVALENT GRADE FOR A REMOVAL EXAMINATIONS IS
75%
5. ATTENDANCE AND OTHER STUDENT REQUIREMENTS IS BASED ON THE
APPROVED USA STUDENT MANUAL AND COT ADMISSION AND RETENTION
POLICY.
TERM OUTCOMES = 60% (MAJOR EXAM) + 40% (LEARNING TASKS)
 COMPUTATION OF GRADE

*C.O. Wt. – Course Outcome Weight is determined by the level of learning

according to Bloom’s Taxonomy
 OVERVIEW

IN THIS MODULE, WE WILL DISCUSS ON HOW DOES POLLUTION (E.G.

SUBSTANCES THAT ARE HARMFUL) AFFECTS THE ENVIRONMENT
ESPECIALLY TO HUMANS AND OTHER LIVING ORGANISMS THAT
EVENTUALLY MIGHT REDUCE ITS QUALITY. THIS MODULE WILL COVER
THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE DIFFERENT SOURCES OF POLLUTION AND
IT’S EFFECT TO ECOSYSTEM.
 LEARNING OUTCOMES

AT THE END OF THIS MODULE, THE STUDENT SHALL BE ABLE TO:

LO1.1: KNOW THE METHODS BEING USED IN CONTROLLING
POLLUTION.
LO1.2: IDENTIFY THE POSSIBLE TREATMENTS TO A SPECIFIC TYPE OF
POLLUTION.
 LECTURE COVERAGE

MODULE 5 (M3.2): WATER ENVIRONMENT

• RA 9275 (PHILIPPINE CLEAN WATER ACT OF 2004), RELATED LAWS AND
ITS IRR
• WATER USAGE AND CLASSIFICATION
• DENR CLASSIFICATION OF WATER BODIES
• TYPES OF WATER POLLUTANTS
• ISSUES RELATING TO WATER RESOURCES
• CONTROL AND TREATMENT OF WATER POLLUTION
 COURSE CONTENTS
BELOW IS THE SCHEDULE FOR MODULE 2

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION TIMEFRAME

1 Water Environments
1.1 Water: QUANTITY AND QUALITY 10 – 15 minutes
1.2 Water Quality Parameters 10 – 15 minutes
1.3 Water Pollutants 10 – 15 minutes
Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004
1.4 10 – 15 minutes
(Republic Act No. 9275)
1.5 Activity #1 50 – 60 minutes

DATE Coverage for Module 5: Oct. 16, 2020 (1:30 – 4:30 P.M.)
WATER: QUANTITY
AND QUALITY
 WATER, H2O
• VITAL NATURAL RESOURCES FORM THE BASIS OF LIFE.
• PURE WATER IS A COLORLESS, ODORLESS, AND TASTELESS LIQUID.
• TASTES AND ODORS IN WATER ARE DUE TO DISSOLVED GASES, SUCH AS
SULFUR DIOXIDE AND CHLORINE, AND MINERALS.
• WATER EXISTS IN NATURE SIMULTANEOUSLY AS A SOLID (ICE), LIQUID (WATER)
AND A GAS (VAPOR).
• 97% OF THE EARTH SURFACE IS COVERED BY WATER. ANIMALS AND PLANTS
HAVE 60-65% WATER IN THEIR BODY
• IT FREEZES AT 0°C AND BOILS AT 100°C. WHEN FROZEN, WATER EXPANDS
BY ONE NINTH OF ITS ORIGINAL VOLUME.
• ITS DENSITY IS 1 G/ML OR CUBIC CENTIMETER
Hydrologic Cycle

§ The way nature

treats water
§ Follows water as it
evaporates from the
earth's surface,
forms clouds, and
then falls back to the
earth's surface as
rain
Hydrologic Cycle

§ Five basic
processes
1. Condensation
2. Precipitation
3. Infiltration
4. Runoff
5. Evapotranspiration
 Hydrologic Cycle
Condensation
§ Process of water changing from a
vapor to a liquid

§ Water vapor in the air rises mostly by

convection. This means that warm,
humid air will rise, while cooler air will
flow downward.
§ As the warmer air rises, the water vapor will
lose energy, causing its temperature to drop.
The water vapor then has a change of state
into liquid or ice.
Hydrologic Cycle

Precipitation

§ Water being released from clouds as

rain, sleet, snow, or hail.
§ Precipitation begins after water vapor,
which has condensed in the atmosphere,
becomes too heavy to remain in
atmospheric air currents and falls.
§ Precipitation reaches the Earth's surface, adding to the
surface water in streams and lakes, or infiltrating the soil to
become groundwater.
Hydrologic Cycle

Infiltration
§ A process where a portion of the
precipitation that reaches the
Earth's surface seeps into the
ground
§ The amount of water that
infiltrates the soil varies with the
degree of land slope, the amount
and type of vegetation, soil type
and rock type, and whether the
soil is already saturated by water
§ The more openings in the surface (cracks, pores, joints) the
more infiltration occurs. Water that doesn't infiltrate the soil
flows on the surface as runoff.
Hydrologic Cycle

Runoff
§ Precipitation that reaches the surface of
the Earth but does not infiltrate the soil
§ When there is a lot of precipitation, soils
become saturated with water. Additional
rainfall can no longer enter it.
§ Runoff will eventually drain into creeks,
streams, and rivers, adding a large
amount of water to the flow. Surface
water always travels towards the lowest
point possible, usually the oceans.
Hydrologic Cycle

Evapotranspiration
§ Water evaporating from the ground and
transpiration by plants
§ The way water vapor re-enters the atmosphere
§ Evaporation occurs when radiant energy
from the sun heats water causing the water
molecules to become so active that some of
them rise into the atmosphere as vapor.
§ Transpiration occurs when plants take in water through the
roots and release it through the leaves, a process that can
clean water by removing contaminants and pollution.
Hydrologic Cycle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts19O41kwDA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srI4oTvTJjM
 Water Supplies

§ The total amount of water

in the world is almost
constant.

§ It is estimated to be
370,000 quadrillion
gallons, 97% of which is
the water in the oceans,
which is salty and unfit
for human consumption
without an expensive
treatment.
 Water Supplies

§ The remaining 3% is
known as fresh water, but
2% of that is the glacier ice
trapped at the North and
South Poles.
§ Only 1% is available for
drinking water.
 Water Supplies

§ Two main water sources:

§ Surface

§ Ground
 Surface Water Supplies

§ Water from the lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams

§ These water bodies are formed of water from direct

rain, runoffs, and springs.

§ Surface waters can be classified into

§ Lentic (calm waters)
§ Lotic (the running waters)
Lentic Water Supplies

§ Factors affecting lentic water quality include several factors:

§ Temperature - Water has a maximum density (1 g/cm3) at
4°C. Above and below this temperature water is lighter.
Temperature changes in water cause stratification, or
layering, of water in lakes and reservoirs

§ Sunlight - The amount of biomass and oxygen production

corresponds to the rate of photosynthesis. The amount of
dissolved oxygen (DO) in the lakes is maximum at 2 p.m.
and minimum at 2 a.m.
Lentic Water Supplies

§ Factors affecting lentic water quality include several factors:

§ Turbidity - The more turbidity, the less sunlight can
penetrate, which lowers the rate of photosynthesis and
consequently less DO.
§ Dissolved gases - mainly carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen
(O2). DO is consumed by the microorganisms for the aerobic
decomposition of biodegradable organic matter. This oxygen
demand of the water is known as biochemical oxygen
demand (BOD). The more the BOD, the less DO in the water.
The more the DO, the better the quality of water
Lotic Water Supplies

§ Factors affecting lotic water quality include several factors:

§ Current. It is the velocity or rate of flow of water. The faster

the current, the better it is. Current mixes the oxygen from
the atmosphere and keeps the bottom of the stream clean
by washing away the settlable solids.

§ Nutrients. The main source of nutrients is drainage from the

watershed. Heavy rains and drought conditions can also
cause serious problems, such as high turbidity and more
nutrients.
Groundwater Supplies

§ Underground water is supposed to be the purest form of natural

water
§ Sometimes, it is so pure that it does not need any further
treatment for drinking purposes.
§ It is the least contaminated and has very low turbidity due to
natural filtration of the rain water

§ It can be contaminated by underground streams in areas with

limestone deposits, septic tanks discharge, and underground
deep well leaks. Therefore, it may need disinfection.
Groundwater Supplies

§ There are two sources of groundwater: springs and wells.

§ If you dig a hole down through the earth, the soil initially has
pockets of air between the soil particles. But as you dig deeper,
soon water would fill in all of the gaps in the soil.
Groundwater Supplies

§ The location where all of the holes first become filled with water
is called the water table. This is the upper limit of the zone of
saturation, also known as an aquifer, which is the part of the
earth containing the groundwater.

§ The bottom of the zone of saturation is

marked by an impermeable layer of
rocks, clay or other material.
Springs

§ Whenever an aquifer or an underground channel reaches the

ground surface such as a valley or a side of a cliff, water starts
flowing naturally. This natural flow is known as a spring.

§ A spring may form a lake, a creek,

or even a river. The quantity and
velocity of a spring flow depend on
the aquifer size and the position of
the spring relative to the highest
level of the water table
Wells

§ Public groundwater supply is usually well water because

springs are rare
§ Deeper wells (more than 100 feet) have less turbidity, more
dissolved minerals, and less bacterial count than shallow
wells.

§ Shallow wells have less natural

filtration of water due to less
depth of the soil.
 WATER CONSUMPTION

DETERMINATION OF TOTAL WATER REQUIREMENTS

INVOLVES-
• WATER CONSUMPTION RATE (PER CAPITA DEMAND IN
LITRES PER DAY PER HEAD)
• POPULATION TO BE SERVED.

QUANTITY = PER CAPITA DEMAND X POPULATION

 WATER CONSUMPTION RATE

Ø VARIOUS TYPES OF WATER DEMANDS IN A CITY.

• DOMESTIC WATER DEMAND
• INDUSTRIAL DEMAND
• INSTITUTION AND COMMERCIAL DEMAND
• DEMAND FOR PUBLIC USE
• FIRE DEMAND
• LOSES AND WASTES
 WATER CONSUMPTION FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES

Types of Normal Average %

Consumption Range
(lit/capita/day
)
1 Domestic
Consumption 65-300 160 35

2 Industrial and
Commercial 45-450 135 30
Demand
3 Public Uses
including Fire 20-90 45 10
Demand
4 Losses and
Waste 45-150 62 25
 The requirements of water for public utility shall be
taken as…
Sl.No. Purpose Water Requirements

1 Public parks 1.4 litres/m2/day

2 Street washing 1.0-1.5 litres/m2/day

3 Sewer cleaning 4.5 litres/head/day

BASIC TERMS IN WATER
Ø POTABLE WATER- WATER SUITABLE (BOTH HEALTH
AND ACCEPTABILITY CONSIDERATIONS) FOR DRINKING
AND COOKING PURPOSES
Ø PALATABLE WATER- AT A DESIRABLE TEMP.
I.E. FREE FROM OBJECTIONABLE TASTES,
ODOR, COLOR, AND TURBIDITY
Ø CONTAMINATED WATER- PATHOGENIC
BACTERIA
Ø POLLUTED WATER- UNDESIRABLE
SUBSTANCES
POTABLE WATER PROPERTIES

Ø COLORLESS

Ø ODORLESS

Ø GOOD TASTE

Ø NOT CONTAIN HARMFUL MICROBES

IMPURITIES IN WATER

Ø RAIN IS THE PRINCIPAL SOURCES.

Ø RAIN WATER PASSES ATMOSPHERE AND DISSOLVED WITH
DIFFERENT GASES,
Ø WHEN REACHES GROUND MIX WITH PARTICLES OF SILT
AND MUD,
Ø FLOWS TOWARDS STREAM PASSES THROUGH DECAYING
VEGETATIVE MATTER AND ORGANIC ACIDS.
CLASSIFICATION OF IMPURITIES

MAINLY CLASSIFIED AS -

1. PHYSICAL

2. CHEMICAL AND

3. BIOLOGICAL IMPURITIES
 WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS

• DISSOLVED OXYGEN (DO)

• IS THE AMOUNT OF OXYGEN THAT IS DISSOLVED IN WATER AND IS ESSENTIAL TO
HEALTHY STREAMS AND LAKES.
• A HIGHER DISSOLVED OXYGEN LEVEL USUALLY INDICATES BETTER WATER QUALITY. IF
DISSOLVED OXYGEN LEVELS ARE TOO LOW, SOME FISH AND OTHER ORGANISMS MAY
NOT BE ABLE TO SURVIVE.
• WHEN COMBINED WITH THE PRESENCE OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES MAY LEAD TO STRESS
RESPONSES IN AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS BECAUSE THE TOXICITY OF CERTAIN ELEMENTS,
SUCH AS ZINC, LEAD AND COPPER, IS INCREASED BY LOW CONCENTRATIONS OF
DISSOLVED OXYGEN
• THE NATIONAL STANDARD FOR DO IS 5 MG/L, EXCEPT FOR WATER BODIES CLASSIFIED
AS CLASS D AND CLASS SD, WITH STANDARDS SET AT 3 MG/L AND 2 MG/L,
RESPECTIVELY
Water Pollutants
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
§ Aquatic aerobic organisms need oxygen to survive

§ Maximum amount in clean water is about 9 mg/L.

§ DO varies with temperature, salinity, elevation, and

turbulence (mixing).
Water Pollutants
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Water Pollutants
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Water Pollutants
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

§ Effect of turbulence on DO

§ A stream with good mixing will replenish DO quickly

§ A slow, sluggish stream (or a lake) will replenish DO slowly

 Water Pollutants

DO Sag Curve and the Streeter-Phelps

 WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS

• BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (BOD)

• MEASURES THE AMOUNT OF OXYGEN CONSUMED BY MICROORGANISMS IN
DECOMPOSING ORGANIC MATTER IN STREAM WATER.
• BOD PARAMETER MEASURES THE ORGANIC STRENGTH OF WASTES IN WATER; THE
GREATER THE BOD, THE GREATER THE DEGREE OF ORGANIC POLLUTION.
• BOD ALSO DIRECTLY AFFECTS THE AMOUNT OF DISSOLVED OXYGEN IN RIVERS AND
STREAMS. THE GREATER THE BOD, THE MORE RAPIDLY OXYGEN IS DEPLETED IN THE
STREAM. THIS MEANS LESS OXYGEN IS AVAILABLE TO HIGHER FORMS OF AQUATIC LIFE.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIGH BOD ARE SIMILAR AS THOSE FOR LOW DISSOLVED
OXYGEN: AQUATIC ORGANISMS BECOME STRESSED, SUFFOCATE, AND DIE.
• NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR BOD VARY FROM 1 TO 15 MG/L BASED ON BENEFICIAL
WATER USAGE AND CLASSIFICATION.
 WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS

• TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS (TSS)

• MEASURES THE AMOUNT OF UNDISSOLVED SOLID PARTICLES IN WATER
SUCH AS LEVEL OF SILTATION, DECAYING PLANT AND ANIMAL MATTER,
AND DOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL WASTES.
• FOR WATER BODIES USED FOR WATER SUPPLY THE STANDARD FOR TSS IS
25 MG/L FOR CLASS AA AND 50 MG/L FOR CLASS A
 WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS

• TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS (TDS)

• USED AS AN AGGREGATE INDICATOR OF THE PRESENCE OF A BROAD
ARRAY OF CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS.
• THE PRIMARY SOURCES OF TDS IN RECEIVING WATERS ARE
AGRICULTURAL RUNOFF, LEACHING OF SOIL CONTAMINATION, AND
POINT SOURCE WATER POLLUTION FROM INDUSTRIAL OR DOMESTIC
SEWAGE
• FOR WATER BODIES CLASSIFIED AS CLASS AA, THE STANDARD FOR TDS
LEVELS IS EXPECTED NOT TO EXCEED 500 MG/L AND 1,000 MG/L FOR
BOTH CLASS A AND D WATERS.
 WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS

§ PROBLEM WHEN THEY BECOME EXCESSIVE (EUTROPHICATION)

§ SOURCES CAN BE PHOSPHOROUS BASED REAGENTS,

FERTILIZERS AND FOOD-PROCESSING WASTES

• NUTRIENTS (N AND P)
Water Pollutants
Nutrients
§ Nitrogen and phosporous

§ Problem when they become excessive (eutrophication)

§ Sources can be phosporous based reagents, fertilizers and

food-processing wastes
Water Pollutants
Pathogenic organisms
§ Include bacteria, viruses and protozoa excreted by
diseased persons and animals

§ Makes water non-potable

§ Shellfish can concentrate pathogenic organisms in their

tissues.
Water Pollutants
Water Pollutants
Pathogens
§ Disease-causing viruses, parasites, and bacteria

§ Sources include hospitals, schools, farms, and food

processing plants

§ Illnesses from wastewater-related sources include

gastroenteritis , hepatitis A, typhoid, polio, cholera, and
dysentery
Water Pollutants
Pathogens
Water Pollutants
Pathogens
Water Pollutants
§ Suspended solids
§ Organic and inorganic particles that are carried by the
wastewater into a receiving water

§ Reduce usefulness and value of the water

§ Salts

§ Dissolved solids
Water Pollutants
§ Water hardness
§ Total concentration of multi-valent cations includes
§ Calcium Ca2+
§ Magnesium Mg2+
§ Iron Fe3+
§ Manganese Mn2+
Water Pollutants
§ Water hardness
§ Effects of hardness
§ Causes soap scum and water spots causes scaling in:
§ Swamp coolers
§ Cooling towers
§ Boilers and pipes
Water Pollutants
§ Toxic metals and toxic organic compounds
§ Agricultural run-offs containing pesticides and herbicides

§ Urban run-off can be source of metals and organics

from gasoline

§ Heat
§ Comes primarily from industry through use of cooling water
Water Pollutants
§ Metals
§ Metals can be either beneficial or harmful, depending on
§ Chemical properties
§ Concentration
§ Some metals needed in trace amounts as nutrients
§ High concentration cause health problems.
Water Pollutants
§ Health effects of metals
§ Health Effects include:
§ Nerve damage
§ Kidney damage
§ Birth defects
Water Pollutants
§ Health effects of metals
Water Pollutants
§ Health effects of metals
Water Pollutants
§ Health effects of metals
Water Pollutants
§ Synthetic or Chemical Organic Compounds
§ More stable and cannot be quickly broken down by organisms
§ Certain synthetic organics are highly toxic
§ Can also damage processes in treatment plants
§ Examples: benzene, toluene phenols
§ Found in some solvents, degreasers, petroleum products pesticides, and
other products
§ Synthetic organic compounds are being developed all the time, which
can complicate treatment efforts
Water Pollutants
§ Properties of Organic Chemicals
§ Properties vary greatly, depending on chemical composition

§ Flammability: Ranges from nil to extremely flammable

§ Toxicity: Ranges from nil to extremely toxic
§ Solubility: Amount that will dissolve in water; Ranges from nil to 100%

§ Density: Lighter than water (will float); Heavier than water (will sink)

§ Temperature: Only a problem with wastewater discharges

Water Pollutants
§ Sources
§ Power plants, Industrial cooling

§ Effects
§ Fish and other organisms sensitive to temperature

§ Higher temperature causes lower solubility of DO in water

§ Biological processes are temperature dependent and chemical

reactions and reaction rates all temperature sensitive
Water Pollutants
§ pH
§ Acidity or alkalinity of wastewater affects both treatment and
the environment

§ pH of wastewater needs to remain between 6 and 9 to

protect beneficial organisms
Water Pollutants
§ Gases
§ Can cause odors, affect treatment, or are potentially
dangerous
 Diseases Related to Water

Water-borne Water-based
Diseases Diseases

Water-washed Water-related
Diseases Diseases
 4 MAJOR CATEGORIES OF WATER-RELATED
DISEASES
Category Description Examples
Water-borne Diseases caused by ingestion of water Cholera
diseases contaminated by human or animal Typhoid
excrement, which contain pathogenic Infectious hepatitis
microorganisms. Giardiasis
Amoebiasis
Water-washed Diseases due to the lack of proper Leprosy, Skin Sepsis
diseases sanitation and hygiene
Water-Based Infections transmitted through an Tape Worm, Guinea
Diseases aquatic invertebrate organism Worm

Vector-borne Diseases transmitted by insects that Sleeping Sickness,

diseases depend on water for their propagation Yellow Fever, Malaria
PATHOGENS
 CONTROL & PREVENTION
Global

Governments

Communities

Individuals
 READING ASSIGNMENT:

• Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water 2007

• Greenpeace: State of Water resources in the Philippines
PHILIPPINE CLEAN WATER
ACT OF 2004
(REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9275)
 WHAT IS THE CLEAN WATER ACT?

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.
 CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE 1
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND
POLICIES
 DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES
SECTION 1.

SHORT TITLE. - THIS ACT SHALL BE KNOWN AS THE “PHILIPPINE

CLEAN WATER ACT OF 2004.”

SECTION 2.

DECLARATION OF POLICY. - THE STATE SHALL PURSUE A POLICY

OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE PROTECTION,
PRESERVATION AND REVIVAL OF THE QUALITY OF OUR FRESH, BRACKISH
AND MARINE WATERS.
SECTION 3.
Coverage of the Act. – This Act shall apply to water quality management in all water
bodies: Provided, That it shall primarily apply to the abatement and control of pollution from
land based sources: Provided, further, That the water quality standards and regulations and the
civil liability and penal provisions under this Act shall be enforced irrespective of sources of
pollution.
Article 2
Definition of Terms
SECTION 4.
Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act
a) Aquifer - means a layer of water-bearing rock located underground that transmits
water in sufficient quantity to supply pumping wells or natural springs.
b) Aquatic life - means all organisms living in freshwater, brackish and marine
environments.
c) Beneficial use - means the use of the environment or any element or segment
thereof conducive to public or private welfare, safety and health; and shall include, but not be
limited to, the use of water for domestic, municipal, irrigation, power generation, fisheries,
livestock raising, industrial, recreational and other purposes.
d) Cleaner production - means the application of an integrated, preventive environmental
strategy to processes, products, services to increase efficiency and reduce risks to humans
and the environment;
g) Clean-up operations - means activities involving the removal of pollutants discharged or
spilled into a water body and its surrounding areas, and the restoration of the affected areas
to their former physical, chemical and biological state or conditions.
 CHAPTER 2
WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (WQMS)
 ARTICLE 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 5. WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT
AREA OF RA 9275
WQMS
Director

Representati
Business ves of
sector mayors and
governors

Governing
Board

Water LGUs Local

utility Government
sector Units

Relevant
Agencies
 SECTION 5. WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT
AREA OF RA 9275
• THE GOVERNING BOARD SHALL FORMULATE STRATEGIES TO
COORDINATE POLICIES NECESSARY FOR THE EFFECTIVE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE
ESTABLISHED IN THE FRAMEWORK AND MONITOR THE COMPLIANCE
WITH THE ACTION PLAN.
• EACH MANAGEMENT AREA SHALL CREATE A MULTI-SECTORAL GROUP
TO ESTABLISH AND AFFECT WATER QUALITY SURVEILLANCE AND
MONITORING NETWORK INCLUDING SAMPLING SCHEDULES AND
OTHER SIMILAR ACTIVITIES. THE GROUP SHALL SUBMIT ITS REPORT AND
RECOMMENDATION TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GOVERNING BOARD.
 SECTION 6. MANAGEMENT OF NON-ATTAINMENT
AREAS OF RA 9275
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DESIGNATE WATER BODIES, OR PORTIONS THEREOF, WHERE
SPECIFIC POLLUTANTS FROM EITHER NATURAL OR MAN-MADE SOURCE HAVE ALREADY
EXCEEDED WATER QUALITY GUIDELINES AS NON-ATTAINMENT AREAS FOR THE EXCEEDED
POLLUTANTS. IT SHALL PREPARE AND IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM THAT WILL NOT ALLOW
NEW SOURCES OF EXCEEDED WATER POLLUTANT IN NON-ATTAINMENT AREAS WITHOUT A
CORRESPONDING REDUCTION IN DISCHARGES FROM EXISTING SOURCES
 SECTION 7. NATIONAL SEWERAGE AND SEPTAGE
MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
• THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH), PREPARE A NATIONAL PROGRAM
ON SEWERAGE AND SEPTAGE MANAGEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH SECTION 8 HEREOF.

• SUCH PROGRAMS SHALL INCLUDE A PRIORITY LISTING OF SEWERAGE, SEPTAGE AND COMBINED
SEWERAGE-SEPTAGE PROJECTS FOR LGUS BASED ON POPULATION DENSITY AND GROWTH,
DEGRADATION OF WATER RESOURCES, TOPOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY, VEGETATION,
PROGRAM/PROJECTS FOR THE REHABILITATION OF EXISTING FACILITIES AND SUCH OTHER FACTORS
THAT THE SECRETARY MAY DEEM RELEVANT TO THE PROTECTION OF WATER QUALITY. ON THE BASIS
OF SUCH NATIONAL LISTING, THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT MAY ALLOT, ON AN ANNUAL BASIS,
FUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION OF REQUIRED FACILITIES.
 SECTION 8. DOMESTIC SEWAGE COLLECTION, TREATMENT
AND DISPOSAL
• THE AGENCY VESTED TO PROVIDE WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE FACILITIES AND/OR
CONCESSIONAIRES IN METRO MANILA AND OTHER HIGHLY URBANIZED CITIES (HUCS) AS DEFINED IN
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, IN COORDINATION WITH LGUS, SHALL BE REQUIRED TO CONNECT THE
EXISTING SEWAGE LINE FOUND IN ALL SUBDIVISIONS, CONDOMINIUMS, COMMERCIAL CENTERS,
HOTELS, SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, HOSPITALS, MARKET PLACES, PUBLIC BUILDINGS,
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX AND OTHER SIMILAR ESTABLISHMENTS INCLUDING HOUSEHOLDS TO
AVAILABLE SEWERAGE SYSTEM. PROVIDED, THAT THE SAID CONNECTION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO
SEWERAGE SERVICES CHARGE/FEES IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING LAWS, RULES OR
REGULATIONS UNLESS THE SOURCES HAD ALREADY UTILIZED THEIR OWN SEWERAGE SYSTEM:
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT ALL SOURCES OF SEWAGE AND SEPTAGE SHALL COMPLY WITH THE
REQUIREMENTS HEREIN.
SECTION 9. NATIONAL WATER QUALITY
MANAGEMENT FUND

Finance containment Guarantee restoration Support research,

and clean-up of ecosystems and enforcement and
operations rehabilitation of monitoring activities
affected areas

Provide technical Grant reward and Support information

assistance to incentives and educational
implementing agencies campaign

Such other disbursements made

solely for the prevention, control or
abatement of water
pollution and management and
administration of the management
areas in the amounts
authorized by the Department.
SEC. 10. THE AREA WATER QUALITY
MANAGEMENT FUND.
• THE AREA WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT FUND IS HEREBY
ESTABLISHED FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP OF THE WATER
BODIES IN A WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT AREA. THE FUND SHALL BE
UTILIZED FOR THE GRANT OF REWARDS AND INCENTIVES FOR ENTITIES
WHOSE EFFLUENT DISCHARGES ARE BETTER THAN THE WATER QUALITY
CRITERIA OF THE TARGET CLASSIFICATION OF THE RECEIVING BODY OF
WATER, LOANS FOR ACQUISITIONS AND REPAIRS OF FACILITIES TO
REDUCE QUANTITY AND IMPROVE QUALITY OF WASTEWATER
DISCHARGES, AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF THE WATER BODIES
WITHIN THE MANAGEMENT AREA.
 SEC. 11. WATER QUALITY VARIANCE FOR
GEOTHERMAL AND OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION
• THE DEPARTMENT MAY PROVIDE VARIANCE IN WATER QUALITY
CRITERIA AND STANDARDS FOR GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION THAT
ENCOUNTERS REINJECTION CONSTRAINTS: PROVIDED, THAT THERE
SHALL BE PROVISION FOR ADEQUATE PROTECTION OF BENEFICIAL USE
OF WATER BODIES DOWNSTREAM OF THE GEOTHERMAL PROJECT:
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THIS PROVISION MAY BE APPLIED TO OIL
AND GAS EXPLORATION AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
 ARTICLE 2
WATER POLLUTION PERMITS AND
CHARGES
 SEC. 13. WASTEWATER CHARGE
SYSTEM
• THE DEPARTMENT SHALL IMPLEMENT A WASTEWATER
CHARGE SYSTEM IN ALL MANAGEMENT AREAS INCLUDING
THE LAGUNA LAKE REGION AND REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL
CENTERS THROUGH THE COLLECTION OF WASTEWATER
CHARGES/FEES. THE SYSTEM SHALL BE ESTABLISHED ON THE
BASIS OF PAYMENT TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR DISCHARGING
WASTEWATER INTO THE WATER BODIES.
 PURPOSE OF WASTEWATER CHARGE
SYSTEM
(a) To provide strong economic inducement for polluters to modify their production or
management processes or to invest in pollution control technology in order to reduce the
amount of water pollutants generated;

(b) To cover the cost of administering water quality management or improvement

programs;

(c) Reflect damages caused by water pollution on the surrounding environment, including
the cost of rehabilitation;

(d) Type of pollutant;

(e) Classification of the receiving water body; and

(f) Other special attributes of the water body.

SEC. 14. DISCHARGE PERMITS
• THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REQUIRE OWNERS OR
OPERATORS OF FACILITIES THAT DISCHARGE REGULATED
EFFLUENTS PURSUANT TO THIS ACT TO SECURE A PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE. THE DISCHARGE PERMIT SHALL BE THE
LEGAL AUTHORIZATION GRANTED BY THE DEPARTMENT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER: PROVIDED, THAT THE
DISCHARGE PERMIT SHALL SPECIFY AMONG OTHERS, THE
QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF EFFLUENT THAT SAID
FACILITIES ARE ALLOWED TO DISCHARGE INTO A
PARTICULAR WATER BODY, COMPLIANCE SCHEDULE AND
MONITORING REQUIREMENT.
 ARTICLE 3
FINANCIAL LIABILITY MECHANISM
 SEC. 15. FINANCIAL LIABILITY FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL REHABILITATION
• THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REQUIRE PROGRAM AND PROJECT
PROPONENTS TO PUT UP ENVIRONMENTAL GUARANTEE FUND (EGF) AS
PART OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ATTACHED TO THE
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1586 AND ITS IMPLEMENTING RULES AND
REGULATIONS. THE EGF SHALL FINANCE THE MAINTENANCE OF THE
HEALTH OF THE ECOSYSTEMS AND SPECIALLY THE CONSERVATION OF
WATERSHEDS AND AQUIFERS AFFECTED BY THE DEVELOPMENT, AND
THE NEEDS OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE, CLEAN-UP.
SEC. 16. CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS
• NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 15
AND 26 HEREOF, ANY PERSON WHO CAUSES
POLLUTION IN OR POLLUTES WATER BODIES IN EXCESS
OF THE APPLICABLE AND PREVAILING STANDARDS
SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE TO CONTAIN, REMOVE AND
CLEAN-UP ANY POLLUTION INCIDENT AT HIS OWN
EXPENSE TO THE EXTENT THAT THE SAME WATER
BODIES HAVE BEEN RENDERED UNFIT FOR UTILIZATION
AND BENEFICIAL USE: PROVIDED, THAT IN THE EVENT
EMERGENCY CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS ARE NECESSARY
AND THE POLLUTER FAILS TO IMMEDIATELY UNDERTAKE
THE SAME, THE DEPARTMENT, IN COORDINATION WITH
OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES CONCERNED, SHALL
CONDUCT CONTAINMENT, REMOVAL AND CLEAN-UP
OPERATIONS.
SEC. 17. PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ASSESSMENT.

(b) development consisting of

a) development consisting of a several components or a cluster
series of similar projects, or a of projects co-located in an
project subdivided into several area such as an industrial
phases and/or stages whether estate, an export processing
situated in a contiguous area zone, or a development zone
or geographically dispersed; identified in a local land use
plan.
SEC. 18. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT SYSTEM
PROGRAMMATIC COMPLIANCE WITH WATER
QUALITY STANDARDS
• THE DEPARTMENT MAY ALLOW EACH REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL CENTER
ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7916 (PEZA LAW) TO
ALLOCATE EFFLUENT QUOTAS TO POLLUTION SOURCES WITHIN ITS
JURISDICTION THAT QUALIFY UNDER AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ASSESSMENT SYSTEM PROGRAMMATIC COMPLIANCE PROGRAM IN
ACCORDANCE WITH PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1586 AND ITS
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS.
 CHAPTER 3
INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM
 SECTION 19.

LEAD AGENCY
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE THE PRIMARY GOVERNMENT AGENCY
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF
THIS ACT UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED HEREIN. AS SUCH, IT SHALL
HAVE THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES.
 SECTION 20.

ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

LGUS SHALL SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY IN THE
MANAGEMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF WATER QUALITY WITHIN
THEIR TERRITORIAL JURISDICTIONS. EACH LGU SHALL
WITHIN SIX (6) MONTHS AFTER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE WATER
QUALITY MANAGEMENT AREA ACTION PLAN
PREPARE A COMPLIANCE SCHEME IN ACCORDANCE THEREOF,
SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNING
BOARD.
 SECTION 21.

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ROLE IN

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
THE DEPARTMENT AND THE
LGUS, IN COORDINATION WITH THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES, AND IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS INCLUDING CHAMBERS OF
COMMERCE, SHALL FORMULATE APPROPRIATE
INCENTIVES FOR THE ADOPTION OF PROCEDURES THAT WILL
PRESERVE AND PROTECT OUR WATER BODIES THROUGH THE
INTRODUCTION OF INNOVATIVE EQUIPMENT AND PROCESSES THAT
REDUCE IF NOT TOTALLY ELIMINATE THE DISCHARGE OF
POLLUTANTS INTO OUR WATER BODIES.
 SECTION 22.

LINKAGE MECHANISM
SECTION 23.

REQUIREMENT OF RECORD KEEPING,

AUTHORITY FOR ENTRY TO PREMISES AND
ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS

SECTION 24.
POLLUTION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS
 CHAPTER 4
INCENTIVES AND REWARDS
SECTION 25.
Rewards- Rewards, monetary or otherwise, shall be provided to individuals, private
organization and entities, including civil society, that have undertaken outstanding and
innovative projects, technologies, processes and techniques or activities in water quality
management. Said rewards shall be sourced from the Water Quality Management Fund herein
created.

SECTION 26.
Incentives Scheme. - An incentive scheme is hereby provided for the purpose of
encouraging LGUs, water districts (WDs), enterprises, or private entities, and individuals, to
develop or undertake an effective water quality management, or actively participate in any
program geared towards the promotion thereof as provided in this Act.
 CHAPTER 5

CIVIL LIABILITY / PENAL PROVISION

SECTION 27

PROHIBITED ACTS

o DISCHARGING WATER POLLUTANTS WITHOUT VALID PERMITS

o DISPOSAL OF POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS MEDICAL WASTES
o IMPROPERLY DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTES
SECTION 28
FINES, DAMAGES AND PENALTIES

• Any person who commits any of the prohibited acts provided

in the immediately preceding section or violates any of the provision
of this Act or its implementing rules and regulations, shall be fined by
the Secretary, upon the recommendation of the PAB in the amount of
not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) nor more than Two
hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) for every day of violation.
• The fines herein prescribed shall be increased by ten percent (10%)
every two (2) years to compensate for inflation and to maintain the
deterrent function of such fines
• Failure to undertake clean-up operations, willfully, or through gross
negligence, shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than two (2)
years and not more than four (4) years and a fine not less than Fifty
thousand pesos (P50,000.00) and not more than One hundred
thousand pesos (P100,000.00) per day for each day of violation. Such
failure or refusal which results in serious injury or loss of life and/or
irreversible water contamination of surface, ground, coastal and marine
water shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6) years
and one (1) day and not more than twelve (12) years, and a fine of
Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) per day for each day
during which the omission and/or contamination continues.
 SECTION 29

ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS AGAINST NON-

COMPLIANCE WITH THE WATER QUALITY
MANAGEMENT AREA ACTION PLAN.
CHAPTER 6
ACTIONS
SEC. 30.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION.
WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE RIGHT OF ANY AFFECTED PERSON TO
FILE AN ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL, ON ITS
OWN INSTANCE OR UPON VERIFIED COMPLAINT BY ANY PERSON,
INSTITUTE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS IN THE PROPER FORUM
AGAINST ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES:
A) STANDARDS OR LIMITATIONS PROVIDED BY THIS ACT; OR
B) BY ANY SUCH ORDER, RULE OR REGULATION ISSUED BY THE
DEPARTMENT WITH RESPECT TO SUCH STANDARD OR LIMITATION.
 CHAPTER 7

FINAL PROVISIONS
 SECTION 32
APPROPRIATIONS
SECTION 36
EFFECTIVITY
 REFERENCES
• EMB.GOV.PH/WP-CONTENT/UPLOADS/2015/09/RA-9275.PDF
• HTTP://R12.EMB.GOV.PH/RA-9275-THE-PHILIPPINE-CLEAN-WATER-ACT/
• HTTP://WWW.LAWPHIL.NET/STATUTES/REPACTS/RA2004/RA_9275_200
4.HTML
• TULLAHAN RIVER SOURCES: HTTP://REBRN.COM/RE/TOXIC-WATERS-IN-
PHILIPPINES-902858/
ACTIVITY # 1 (DEADLINE: NOV 13, 2023)
INSTRUCTIONS: THE LINKS BELOW ARE LAWS (DAO 2016-08; DAO 34; DAO
35; PNSDW) RELATED TO WATER QUALITY. KINDLY CLICK THE LINK BELOW AND
DOWNLOAD LAWS PERTAINING TO WATER QUALITY. READ THE LAWS AND
CRITIQUE ALL CONTENTS BY COMPARING THE OLD LAWS WITH THE NEW ONE.
MAKE AT LEAST 3 PAGES OF DISCUSSIONS OF WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN AND
NOTICED AFTER YOU READ THE CONTENTS OF THE LAWS. WRITE YOUR
CRITIQUE IN WORD DOCUMENT FILE WITH YOUR NAME AND DATE IN THE
FILENAME (I.E. DELA CRUZ_20231106_EXERCISE 2). USE THIS FORMAT EVERY
TIME YOU SUBMIT YOUR PROJECTS, EXERCISES, ETC. AS YOUR FILENAME. DUE
DATE OF SUBMISSION ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 20, 2020 (TUESDAY) 11:59
PM. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY OTHERWISE DEDUCTIONS WILL BE
IMPLEMENTED. USE RUBRICS AS GUIDE ON NEXT PAGE.

HTTPS://PAB.EMB.GOV.PH/WP-CONTENT/UPLOADS/2017/07/DAO-2016-08-
WQG-AND-GES.PDF
HTTPS://EMB.GOV.PH/WP-CONTENT/UPLOADS/2016/04/DAO-1990-34.PDF
HTTP://WATER.EMB.GOV.PH/WP-CONTENT/UPLOADS/2016/07/DAO-1990-
35.PDF
HTTPS://WWW.FOODSHAP.COM/PNSDW2017.PDF
“VITUS ET SCIENTIA”