Water Supply and Sanitation in The Philippines

Water supply and sanitation in the
Philippines
• The Philippines’ main sources of water are rivers, lakes, river basins,
and groundwater reservoirs. The longest and largest river, Cagayan
River, discharges approximately 53,943 million cubic meters of water
annually. Its groundwater reserves are 47,895 million cubic meters
replenished by rainfall and seepage from rivers and lakes.
• The lakes are utilized mainly for fish cultivation. The
four major groundwater reservoirs are
in Cagayan, Central Luzon, Agusan, and Cotabato.
There are 438 major dams and 423 smaller
dams. Dams and reservoirs are mainly used for water
storage, water supply, irrigation, regulation of flood,
and hydropower.
• The water in the metropolitan area of Manila is mostly
supplied by the Angat Dam, Ipo Dam, and La Mesa Dam (also
known as Angat-Ipo-La Mesa water system). Well-known and
larger dams in the rural areas include Ambuklao Dam
(developed for flood control, irrigation, and hydroelectric
power source of Baguio and some regions in Luzon) and
Magat Dam (irrigation and hydroelectric power source in
Isabela)
Angat Dam
Usage
• 28.52 billion m³ of water were withdrawn from various sources in the
Philippines in 2000: 74% (21.10 billion m³) was used for agricultural
purposes, 9% (2.57 billion m³) for industrial processes, and 17% (4.85
billion m³) for domestic consumption.[
Agricultural
Agricultural water management in the Philippines is primarily
focused on irrigation. The country has 3.126 million hectares
of irrigable land, 50% (1.567 million hectares) of which already
has irrigation facilities. 50% of irrigated areas are developed
and operated by the government through the National
Irrigation System (NIS). 36% is developed by the government
and operated by irrigators’ associations through the
Communal Irrigation System, while the remaining 14% is
developed and operated by an individual or small groups of
farmers through a Private Irrigation System (PIS).
Industrial
The uses of water for industrial purposes include the
"utilization of water in factories, industrial plants and mines,
and the use of water as an ingredient of a finished product.“
Water-intensive industries are involved in the manufacturing
of food and dairy, pulp and chemical products, as well as
textile materials.
• These industries are usually found in the National Capital
Region, Calabarzon, and Region III. In a 1999 study by the
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
(UNIDO), the intensive use of water in the industry is critical
in terms of the production of hazardous wastes. Thousands
of tons of solvent wastes, heavy metals, lubricants, and
intractable wastes are improperly disposed of annually in
Metro Manila.
Domestic
• According to a 1996 study by David and Inocencio, the medium of
water provision is dependent on the income class of a certain
household. Higher-income brackets usually rely on private waterworks
as a source of water, while lower-income brackets usually consume
less by depending on vended water (sold by those with access to
private waterworks). Lower-income households pay much higher
water prices than higher-income households due to lack of access to
water service providers.
Levels of water systems in the Philippines
• Level IStand-alone water points (e.g. handpumps, shallow wells,
rainwater collectors) serving an average of 15 households within a
250-meter distance
• Level II Piped water with a communal water point (e.g. borewell,
spring system) serving an average of 4–6 households within a 25-
meter distance
• Level III Piped water supply with a private water point (e.g. house
connection) based on daily water demand of more than 100 liters per
person
Local Government Units
• Most households in the Philippines are provided water by their Local
Government Units (LGUs), either directly through a city or municipal
engineering department or through community-based organizations
(CBOs). CBOs involved in water supply include 200 cooperatives, 3,100
Barangay Water and Sanitation Associations (BWSAs) and 500 Rural Water
Supply Associations (RWSAs). CBOs usually operate Level I or Level II water
supply systems with support from the national government or non-
governmental organizations (NGOs). In many cases, the CBOs later convert
Level I and II facilities into Level III supply systems. Typically, all LGU-
operated arrangements do not recover their full costs and rely heavily on
local government subsidies.
Water Districts
• Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) Seal

• A water district is a utility that is legally and financially separate
from the municipality. In urban areas outside of Metro Manila,
water districts served around 15.3 million people from 861
municipalities in 2011. To form a water district, the local
government needs confirmation from the Local Waterworks and
Utilities Administration (LWUA), a specialized lending institution for
provincial waterworks, from which it will receive technical
assistance and financial support.
• The local government appoints the board members of the
water districts. This system typically has better performance
and higher cost recovery than water systems that are run
directly by municipalities. The Philippine Association of
Water Districts (PAWD), fosters the exchange of experiences
between water districts and provides training to its
members. In 2010, USAID and the ADB agreed to support
PAWD in establishing a national Water Operators
Partnerships (WOPs) program that promotes twinning
partnerships among Water Districts
Water supply[edit]
• Access to water is universal, affordable, efficient and of high
quality. The creation of financially sustainable water service
providers ("Water Districts") in small and medium towns
with the continuous long-term support of a national agency
(the "Local Water Utilities Administration" LWUA); and the
improvement of access, service quality and efficiency in
Manila through two high-profile water concessions awarded
in 1997.
• The challenges include limited access to sanitation services, high
pollution of water resources, often poor drinking water quality and
poor service quality, a fragmentation of executive functions at the
national level among numerous agencies, and a fragmentation of
service provision at the local level into many small service providers
Sewage and Sanitation
• In 2015, 74% of the total population had access to "improved"

sanitation, or 78% in urban areas and 71% in rural areas. In 2015,
there were still 27 million without access to "improved" sanitation.
• In 2005, only 5% of the total population was connected to a sewer
network. The vast majority used flush toilets connected to septic
tanks. Since sludge treatment and disposal facilities were rare, most
effluents were discharged without treatment. Within the entire
country, septic tanks are the most common method of sewage
treatment. In Metro Manila alone, about 75 local companies provide
tank-desludging services.
What is sewage?
• Sewage is waste matter such as faeces or dirty water from homes and
factories, which flows away through sewers.
What are types of sewage?
• There are two types of sewage:

treated and untreated. Treated sewage: Treated
sewage refers to wastewater or sewage which has
passed through a treatment plant. Sewage goes
through several stages in the treatment process
ensuring that all harmful bacteria, pollutants and
contaminants are eliminated.
What are the 3 types of sewage treatment?
• There are three main stages of the wastewater treatment
process, aptly known as primary, secondary and tertiary
water treatment. In some applications, more advanced
treatment is required, known as quaternary water
treatment.
History
• From the Philippines' independence in 1946 until 1955, most water

supply systems were operated by local authorities. From 1955 to
1971, control of urban water supply was passed to the national
government. In order to improve service delivery, the sector has been
repeatedly subjected to extensive reforms which created numerous
institutions and responsibilities. However, comprehensive water
resources management was only introduced in 2004.
Pre-Marcos Administration
• The Manila Waterworks Authority, founded in 1878, became part of

the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority (NAWASA) when it
was founded in 1955.
• Marcos Administration (1965–1986)
• 1971. NAWASA was transformed into the Metropolitan Waterworks
and Sewerage System (MWSS) under the government of Ferdinand
Marcos. MWSS was made responsible for service provision in Metro
Manila, whereas other municipal and provincial water and sewerage
systems in about 1,500 cities and towns were transferred back to local
governments.
Policy
• General policies concerning the water and sanitation sector are

formulated by the National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA) in its MTPDP. Since the 1990s, private sector participation and
decentralization are the main objectives of water policies. The MTPDP
of 2004 up to 2010 aimed at extending the coverage of potable water
to 92%–96% by 2010 through public and private investments, with
priority given to 400 barangays with poor water supply coverage.
• The Department of Public Works and Highways provides technical
assistance in rural water supply systems. National standards for
drinking water quality, as well as standards concerning sanitation and
sewerage collection, are set by the Department of Health. The
Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
is the lead ministry for implementing water sector legislation,
whereas the Department of Finance takes the lead in financing water
policies at the national level. The National Water Resources Board
(NWRB) under the DENR is responsible for water resources
management.
• The responsibilities are defined by the 1976 National Water
Code and the 2004 Clean Water Act, which consolidated laws
on water supply and sanitation and water resources
management.
1976 National Water Code (PD 1067)
• Regarded as Presidential Decree No. 1067, dated December 31, 1976,

the 1976 National Water Code was an effort of then-President
Ferdinand E. Marcos that aimed to strengthen water legislations in
the face of the increasing scarcity of water and its changing water
patterns.
• The Water Code was an intended solution to revise and
consolidate regulations made on the ownership,
appropriation, utilization, exploitation, development,
conservation, and protection of water resources in the
country. Founded on the principle that "All waters belong to
the State," the National Water Resources Council was then
created and tasked to control and regulate the use and
development of water resources on behalf of the
government.
• Regulations were made through the acquisition of water
permits, given to persons not limited to government-owned
and controlled corporations, for water appropriation and
usage. Specifications were included on the maximum
amount of water diverted or withdrawn, the maximum rate
of diversion or withdrawal, and the times during the year
when water may be diverted or withdrawn. Instances may
also arise where water permits are revoked on cases of non-
use, violation of the conditions imposed by the Council,
unauthorized sale of water, pollution, and public acts
detrimental to public health and safety.
• In declared flood control areas, rules and regulations are
administered to prohibit and control activities that may
damage and cause deterioration of the lakes and dikes,
changes in the natural flow of the river, and increases in
flood losses or intensified floods. Watersheds, or areas of
land adjacent to any surface water or overlying any
groundwater, are to be declared as protected areas of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
• These efforts ensure the quality of water defined by a standard set by
the National Pollution Council Commission according to the different
uses of water. Except for those functions under the Code that may fall
under specific government agencies, the Council is given the power to
make all necessary decisions and determinations provided for in the
said Code. The Council may provide accompanying penalties
consisting of fines not exceeding one thousand pesos (P1,000.00)
and/or the suspensions or revocation of water permits or any rights
given to use water as well as enforce its decisions with the assistance
of local and national police agencies.
Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (RA
9275)
• Republic Act 9275 provides for a comprehensive water quality
management policy amidst economic growth. The policy provides for
the consistent protection, preservation, and revival of the quality of
Philippine waters with frameworks patterned through the pursuit of
sustainable development. Importantly provided for by this act are
Water Quality Management Systems and Institutional Mechanisms.

Water Supply and Sanitation in The Philippines

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Water Supply and Sanitation in The Philippines

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Water Supply and Sanitation in The Philippines

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Water supply and sanitation in the

• Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) Seal

• In 2015, 74% of the total population had access to "improved"

• There are two types of sewage:

• From the Philippines' independence in 1946 until 1955, most water

• The Manila Waterworks Authority, founded in 1878, became part of

• General policies concerning the water and sanitation sector are

• Regarded as Presidential Decree No. 1067, dated December 31, 1976,

You might also like