USES OF WATER
Water is an essential need for us living
things. Its quality and availability always plays an
important part in our life.
Water can be used for direct and indirect
purposes.
 Direct purposes-bathing, drinking
and cooking.
 Indirect purposes are the use of
water in processing such as
processing wood to make paper and
in producing steel for automobiles.
Categories of Water Use:
1) Domestic Use
- includes water that is used in the home
every day, including water for normal
household purposes, such as drinking, food
preparation, bathing, washing clothes and
dishes, flushing toilets, and watering lawns
and gardens.
- 7.27percent of water use in the Philippines
Water generally gets to our homes in one of two
ways.
 Public Supplied Deliveries–water
delivered by water department.
 Self-Supplied- people supply their own
water, normally from a well.
2) Agricultural Use
- In the Philippines, agriculture as a whole is
the greatest consumer of water which
accounts to 85.27 percent of the total water
supply.
- is the water that is used to grow fresh
produces and sustains livestock.
- In the Philippines, agriculture as a whole is
the greatest consumer of water which
accounts to 85.27 percent of the total water
supply.
- is used for irrigation, pesticides and
fertilizer application.
Agricultural water comes from variety of sources.
A typical source includes:
a) Surface Water
 rivers, streams and irrigation ditches
 open canal
 ponds, reservoirs, and lakes
b) Groundwater from Wells
c) Rainwater
Public Supply water use refers to water withdrawn
by public and private water suppliers, such as
county and municipal water works, and delivered to
users for domestic, commercial, and industrial
purposes. In 1995, the majority of the nation's
population, about 225 million, or 84 percent, used
water delivered from public water suppliers. About
42 million people supplied their own water, with
about 99 percent of that water being groundwater,
usually from a local well.
Uses in Medical and Healthcare
Water plays an important role in the health care
field. From washing surgical tools and equipment
to creating a soothing environment for patients to
have hydrotherapy, water is essential to the
effectiveness of the health industry. However,
moist environments and liquid solutions can create
a favorable setting for the growth of many bacterial
and some protozoal microbes. Waterborne diseases
can be spread through:
Direct contact (for example, hydrotherapy)
Ingestion of water (for example, drinking water)
Indirect-contact (for example, medical/dental tool
or equipment)
Inhalation of aerosols from water sources
Aspiration of water
Blood contact (for example, hemodialysis)
Due to weakened immune systems of many
patients, it is vital that water used in health care
settings is not contaminated.
General Provisions on Water Classification
1. Classification of a water body according to a
particular designated use or uses does not preclude
use of the water for other purposes that are lower in
classification provided that such use does not
prejudice the quality required for such waters.
2. Water classifications are arranged in the order of
the degree of protection required, with Class AA
and SA having generally the most stringent water
quality, respectively, for fresh surface waters and
marine/coastal waters; and Class D and SD waters
have the least stringent water quality for fresh
surface waters and marine waters, respectively.
3. The main objective of the water quality criteria is
to maintain the minimum conditions necessary to
assure the suitability of water for its designated use
or classification.
PRIME - M4 Page 3 of 11
4. Any person regulated under these rules or having
a substantial interest in this chapter may seek
reclassification of waters by filing a petition with
the DENR giving all necessary information to
support the petition.
5. All reclassifications of water shall be adopted,
only after public notice and hearing and upon
affirmative findings by the DENR Regional Office
concerned that:
i) The proposed reclassification will establish the
present and future most beneficial use of the
waters;
ii) Such a reclassification is clearly in the public
interest, and
iii) The proposed designated use is attainable, upon
consideration of environmental, technological,
social, economic and institutional factors.
6. For purposes of classification or reclassification
the following minimum water quality parameters
are to be considered:
i) Dissolved oxygen (DO)
ii) pH
iii) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
iv) Total Coliform Organisms
Section 59. Agreements Involving Water. – Any
agreement among government agencies involving
the use of water for irrigation, hydro-power,
industrial, domestic and municipal water supply
shall, in all cases, be subject to review and approval
of the Council. In the review of such agreements,
the Council may consult the
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parties and other government agencies concerned.
Section 60. Disposition of Funds Collected. - All
income of the Council from the fees and charges
shall be remitted to the National Treasury and
treated as a special account under the General Fund
to the credit of the Council. The operational and
maintenance expenses of the deputies and agents of
the Council shall be financed under this account in
accordance with a special budget to be submitted to
the Budget Commission. Any generated surplus
shall be invested for water resources development
purpose including but not limited to the purposes
envisioned under Article 81 may be recommended
by the Council.
Section 61. Parties in Water Use
Conflicts/Controversies. - The complaining party
shall be referred to as Complainant/Protestant and
the party against whom the complaint is filed shall
be referred to as Respondent/protestee.
Section 62. Complaints. – All complaints shall be
in writing sworn to by the complainant/protestant
and must contain the following:
a) Name, postal address and personal circumstances
of complainant/ protestant; b) Name and postal
address of respondent/protestee; c) Substances of
the complaint; d) Grounds or causes of action; e)
Brief and concise statement of the pertinent facts
and circumstances; f) Relief sought; and g) Names
and postal addresses of witnesses to be summoned,
if any.
All complaints shall be accompanied by affidavits
of witnesses as well as supporting documents, if
any.
However, complaints/protests filed solely on the
ground of adverse effects on the privileges to use
water from any source shall not be entertained
unless the complainant/protestant is a water
permittee.
Section 63. Place of Filing. – Complaints/Protests
may be filed with the Council or the Office of the
Public Works Regional Director or the Public
Works District Engineer or NIA Provincial
Irrigation Engineer, of the place where the source
of water subject of the controversy is located.
Complaints/protests on the use of water for
hydraulic power development shall be filed with
either the Council or the Office of the Public Works
Regional Director.
Section 64. Filing Fee. - There shall be imposed
and collected a filing fee of One Hundred
(P100.00)Pesos from every complainant/protestant
except from pauper litigants in accordance with the
Rules of Court. The said fee shall be paid to the
office where the complaint/protest is filed in the
manner provided under Section 6 of Rule 1.
Section 65. Answer. - Upon receipt of a
complaint/.protest, the agency/office concerned
shall furnish the respondent./protestee a copy and
such documents accompanying the complaint, and
require him to answer in writing within ten (10)
days from receipt thereof.
Should respondent/protestee fail to answer within
the period provided herein, the investigator shall
proceed ex parte to receive the evidence and
testimony of the complaint/protestant and his
witnesses, and shall submit his report to the
Council based on the facts and evidence adduced.
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Section 66. Preliminary Conference. - Upon
receipt of respondent’s/protestee's answer, the
investigator shall direct the parties and their
attorneys to appear before him for conference to
consider the possibility of an amicable settlement.
The proceedings during the preliminary conference
shall be summary in nature and shall be conducted
informally without the investigator being bound
follow strictly the technical rules of evidence. He
shall take appropriate steps towards a peaceful and
equitable settlement of the dispute.
Section 67. Amicable Settlement. - Amicable
settlement shall, in all cases, be reduced in writing
and signed by the parties. Within fifteen (15) days
from the signing thereof, a report with comments
and recommendation shall be submitted to the
Council for approval.
Section 68. Venue of Investigation/ Hearing. -
Should the parties fail to agree during the
preliminary conference, the investigator shall
immediately hear the case in the barrio,
municipality or province where the subject of the
controversy is located or at any other place agreed
upon by both parties. Any disagreement as to venue
shall be resolved by the Investigator whose
decision is final.
Section 69. Order of Proceedings. - The
investigator shall hear first the testimony of the
complainant/protestant and his witnesses and next
the testimony of the respondent-protestee. During
the proceedings, the parties shall have the right to
confront and cross-examine the opposing party of
the submitted affidavits. After the presentation of
the evidence by the parties, they may at their option
submit a memorandum/memoranda in support of
their claim/defense in lieu of an oral argument.
Section 70. Authority/Functions of Hearing
Officer. - The investigator shall be duly
authorized to administer oath to witnesses, take
dispositions and secure the attendance of witnesses
and/or production of relevant documents through
the compulsory process of subpoena and/or
subpoena ducestecum. The contending parties may
avail of such processes by filing a formal written
request with the Investigator.
The proceedings shall be duly recorded and shall
include a physical or ocular inspection of the
premises and for the purpose, the Investigator and
the parties shall have authority to enter upon
private lands with previous notice to the owners
thereof.
The Investigator may conduct ex parte
investigation/hearing if circumstances so warrant.
Section 71. Orders/Rulings – Interlocutory
orders/rulings made during the proceedings are not
appealable.
Motions for postponement or continuance shall be
based on valid and reasonable grounds and the
grant or denial thereof rests upon the sound
discretion of the Investigator, provided that not
more than (3) postponements may be given to
either party or a total of six (6) postponements in a
given case. Regardless of the number of parties and
provided further, that in no case shall any
postponement last for more than three (3) calendar
days.
Section 72. Investigation Report. - The Investigator
shall transmit to the Council within fifteen (15)
days from the date of termination of the
proceedings, his report with the complete record of
the case with a comprehensive sketch of the
premises
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involved. The report shall contain the following:
a) Nature and addresses of the parties; b) Nature of
the controversy; c) Summary of the allegations and
proofs presented by parties; d) Clear and concise
statement of the findings of facts borne of the
evidence and/or revealed in the ocular inspections;
e) The law and rules involved; and f) Conclusion,
comment and recommendation.
Section 73. Decision. - All disputes shall be
decided within sixty (60) days after the parties
submit the same for decision or resolution.
Decisions shall be in writing, stating clearly and
concisely the cause or causes of action, findings of
facts and the law or rules upon which they are
based.
The Council shall have the power to issue writs of
execution and enforce its decisions with the
assistance of national or local law enforcement
agencies subject to prior notice to the party
concerned in accordance with Article 84 of the
Code.
Section 74. Proof of Service.- Decisions,
resolutions or orders of the Council shall be
furnished to the contending parties thru their
counsel, if represented, or by personal/substituted
service or registered mail, with return card.
Personal/substituted service to the parties shall be
acknowledged in writing, indicating the date or
receipt and the name of the person serving. Should
any person refuse to receive the decision, resolution
or order , a written statement to such effect duly
signed by the person serving shall be submitted.
Decisions, resolutions or orders coursed through
the deputies/agents of the Council, shall in all
cases, be served upon counsel, if represented, or to
the party within five (5)
days from the date of receipt by the Office
concerned.
Section 75. Appeal/Petition for Reconsideration
and/or Reinvestigation. - Appeal from the decision
of the Council in accordance with Article 89 of the
Code shall be made by the party adversely affected
within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the decision
unless a petition for reconsideration or
reinvestigation is filed with the Council within the
same period. The filing of said petition suspends
the running of the 15 day period within which to
file an appeal with the Court.
A) Petition for reconsideration/ reinvestigation
shall be based on any of the following grounds:
1) Fraud, accident, mistake or excusable negligence
which ordinary prudence could not have guarded
against and by reason of which the aggrieved Party
has probably been impaired in his rights; 2) Newly
discovered evidence which petitioner could not,
with reasonable diligence, have discovered, and
produced at the investigation and which if
presented would probably alter the result; and 3)
Palpable errors in the findings of facts and
conclusions of law or decisions that are not
supported by the evidence adduced in the
investigation.
Only one petition for reconsideration/
reinvestigation accompanied by proof of service
upon the other party shall be entertained.
Resolution or petitions for reconsideration/
reinvestigation shall be served upon the parties
concerned in accordance with Section 73 hereof.
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Section 76. Stay of Execution. - The filing of
petition for reconsideration and/or reinvestigation
under the preceding section or an appeal with the
Court of First Instance under Article 89 of the Code
shall not stay the execution of the decisions,
resolution or order of the Council unless a bond as
provided for in Article 88 shall have been posted.
Section 77. Light Offenses. - A fine of not more
than Two Hundred (P200.00) Pesos and/or
suspension of the permit/grant for a period of not
more than sixty (60) days shall be imposed for any
of the following violations;
a) illegal taking or diversion of water in an open
canal or reservoir; b) unauthorized utilization of an
existing well or ponding or spreading of water for
recharging subterranean or ground water supplies;
c) appropriation of subterranean or ground water
for domestic use by an overlying landowner
without the registration when required by the
Council; d) failure of the appropriator to keep a
record of water withdrawal when required by the
Council or by the rules and regulations of other
water oriented agencies such as Water Districts
created pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 198, as
amended, provided that such rules and regulations
have been approved by the Council; e) repair
without permission of hydraulic or structural
features as originally involving alteration of its
hydraulic or structural features as originally
approved; and f) such other infractions as the
Council may determine.
Section 78. Less Grave Offenses. - A fine of more
than two Hundred (P200.00) Pesos but not
exceeding Five Hundred
(P500.00) Pesos and/or suspension of the water
permit/grant for a period of one hundred twenty
(120) days shall be imposed for the following
violations:
a) unauthorized sale, lease or transfer of water
permits water rights; b) failure to install a
regulating and measuring device for the control of
the volume of water appropriated when required; c)
nonpayment of water charges; and d) violation of
or non-compliance with any order, rule or
regulation of the Council.
Section 79. Grave Offenses. - A fine of more than
Five Hundred (500.00) Pesos but not exceeding
One Thousand (P1,000) Pesos and/or revocation of
the water permit/grant of any other right to the use
of water shall be imposed for any of the following
violations:
a) drilling of a well without permit or with expired
permit; b) failure to provide adequate facilities to
prevent or control disease whenever required in the
construction of any work for the storage, diversion,
distribution and utilization of water; c) construction
of any hydraulic work or structure without duly
approved plans and specifications; d) failure to
comply with any of the terms or conditions in a
water permit or water rights grant not covered by
the preceding sections, e) non-observance of any
standard for the beneficial use of water and/or
schedule of water distribution; f) use of water for a
purpose other than that for which a right or permit
was granted; g) malicious destructions of hydraulic
works or structure valued at not exceeding Five
Thousand (P5,000.00) Pesos;
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h) unauthorized sale of water in violation of the
permit; and i) such other serious violations as the
Council may determine.
Section 80. Penalties for Delinquency. - Where the
penalty imposed is a fine and the offender fails to
pay the same within the given period, he shall be
liable, in addition, to pay Five (P5.00) pesos per
day of delay but in no case to exceed One
Thousand (P1,000.00) Pesos. However, if the
penalty imposed is suspension of the water
permit/grant, the counting of the period shall begin
from the time the original copy of the water
permit/grant certificate is surrendered to the
Council or any of its deputies/agents. Such
grant/permit/ certificate shall be surrendered within
fifteen (15) days from receipt of the Council by
order or decision and any delay in the surrender
thereof will be meted a penalty of Five (P5.00)
Pesos each day.
Section 81. Violations by Juridical Persons. - In
cases where the offender is a corporation, firm,
partnership or association, the penalty shall be
imposed upon the guilty officers mentioned in
Article 92 of the Code.
Section 82. Violations by NonPermittees. - In
cases where the violator is not a permittee or
grantee or has no right to use the water whatsoever,
the Council thru its deputies or authorized
representatives shall cause the stoppage of the use
of the water either by plugging or sealing of the
well if the same involves ground water
appropriation or demolition of the dam or hydraulic
structures if the same involves surface water,
without prejudice to the institution of a
criminal/civil action as the facts and circumstances
may warrant.
Section 83. Violations by NonOwners. - In cases
where the violator is not the owner of the well or
structure, he shall
be penalized twice as much as the fine imposed of
his name as a party defendant in any action filed.
Proper representations in this regard shall be made
with the appropriate agency for the cancellation or
suspension of his license/certificates of registration.
Section 84. Offer of Compromise. - In cases where
offender, at anytime before the execution of the
order or decision, offers in writing to pay the fine
imposed instead of having his/her permit/grant
suspended for a given period, the Council may, if
the circumstances so warrant, accept such offer or
compromise. However, if the penalty imposed is
both fine and suspension of the permit for a given
period, the offer shall necessarily include the
amount of the fine imposed as well as such amount
as maybe determined by the Council corresponding
to the period for which the permit should have been
suspended.
Section 85. Summary Revocation/ Suspension. -
Water permits or other rights to use the water may
be revoked or suspended summarily by the Council
if any of the following facts and/or conditions
exists:
a) That the suspension/revocation will redound to
greater public interest, public health and safety; b)
That the acts complained of are grossly illegal per
se; c) That the violative act is the second offense on
record involving the same infraction; d) That the
non-observance of or noncompliance with the rules,
order or regulation is willful and deliberate: e)
When there is a prima facie showing that the non-
observance of any standard for the beneficial use of
water or noncompliance with any of the terms or
conditions in a water permit or water rights grant is
prejudicial to the life and property of third person;
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Water
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f) When the suspension or revocation thereof is
sought by any an injured party, provided he files a
bond to cover any damage which maybe sustained
by the permittee or grantee arising from such
summary revocation/suspension; g) In times of
emergency, where there is a prima facie showing
that the use of water by the permittee/grantee is
wasteful; h) When health authorities so recommend
to prevent or control the spread of disease due
inadequate facilities; i) When in a decision of a
competent court the revocation or suspension of the
water permit or grant is ordered or recommended;
and j) Such other serious offenses or gross
violations and infractions as the Council may
decide.
Section 86. Applicability of the New Rules of
Court and Related Laws. - The provisions of the
New Rules of Court, Presidential Decree Nos. 77
and 911 on preliminary investigation shall have
suppletory effect on matters not specifically
covered by this rules.
Section 87. Appeal of Council Decisions of the
Council concerning policies on the utilization,
exploitation. Development, control, conservation
and protection of water resources may be appealed
to the president.
Section 88. These rules shall take effect fifteen
(15) days after publication in three (3) newspapers
of general circulation.
Unanimously adopted at the 119th meeting of the
National Water Resources Council on June 11,
1979.
Alfredo L. Juino Chairman
Water conservation has become an essential
practice in all regions, even in areas where water
seems abundant.
In addition to saving money on your utility bill,
water conservation helps prevent water pollution in
nearby lakes, rivers and local watersheds.
Conserving water can also extend the life of your
septic system by reducing soil saturation, and
reducing any pollution due to leaks. Overloading
municipal sewer systems can also cause untreated
sewage to flow to lakes and rivers. The smaller the
amount of water flowing through these systems, the
lower the likelihood of pollution. In some
communities, costly sewage system expansion has
been avoided by communitywide household water
conservation.
Water conservation in the home...
1. Check faucets and pipes for leaks
A small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste
20 gallons of water per day. Larger leaks can waste
hundreds of gallons.
2. Don't use the toilet as an ashtray or
wastebasket
Every time you flush a cigarette butt, facial tissue
or other small bit of trash, five to seven gallons of
water is wasted.
3. Check your toilets for leaks
Put a little food coloring in your toilet tank. If,
without flushing, the color begins to appear in the
bowl within 30 minutes, you have a leak that
should be repaired immediately. Most replacement
parts are inexpensive and easy to install.
4. Use your water meter to check for hidden
water leaks
Read the house water meter before and after a two-
hour period when no water is being used. If the
meter does not read exactly the same, there is a
leak.
5. Install water-saving shower heads and low-
flow faucet aerators
Inexpensive water-saving low-flow shower
heads or restrictors are easy for the homeowner to
install. Also, long, hot showers can use five to ten
gallons every unneeded minute. Limit your showers
to the time it takes to soap up, wash down and rinse
off. "Low-flow" means it uses less than 2.5 gallons
per minute.
You can easily install a ShowerStart showerhead,
or add a ShowerStart converter to existing
showerheads, which automatically pauses a running
shower once it gets warm.
Also, all household faucets should be fit
with aerators. This single best home water
conservation method is also the cheapest!
6. Put plastic bottles or float booster in your
toilet tank
To cut down on water waste, put an inch or two of
sand or pebbles inside each of two plastic bottles to
weigh them down. Fill the bottles with water, screw
the lids on, and put them in your toilet tank, safely
away from the operating mechanisms. Or, buy an
inexpensive tank bank or float booster. This may
save ten or more gallons of water per day.
Be sure at least 3 gallons of water remain in the
tank so it will flush properly. If there is not enough
water to get a proper flush, users will hold the lever
down too long or do multiple flushes to get rid of
waste. Two flushings at 1.4 gallons is worse than a
single 2.0 gallon flush. A better suggestion would
be to buy an adjustable toilet flapperthat allow for
adjustment of their per flush use. Then the user can
adjust the flush rate to the minimum per flush If your have a double-basin, fill one with soapy
setting that achieves a single good flush each time. water and one with rinse water. If you have a
single-basin sink, gather washed dishes in a dish
For new installations, consider buying "low flush" rack and rinse them with a spray device or a panful
toilets, which use 1 to 2 gallons per flush instead of of hot water. Dual-swivel aerators are available to
the usual 3 to 5 gallons. make this easier. If using a dishwasher, there is
usually no need to pre-rinse the dishes.
Replacing an 18 liter per flush toilet with an ultra-
low volume (ULV) 6 liter flush model represents a 14. Don't let the faucet run while you clean
70% savings in water flushed and will cut indoor vegetables
water use byabout 30%. Just rinse them in a stoppered sink or a pan of clean
water. Use a dual-setting aerator.
7. Insulate your water pipes.
It's easy and inexpensive to insulate your water 15. Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge.
pipes with pre-slit foam pipe insulation. You'll get Running tap water to cool it off for drinking water
hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it is wasteful. Store drinking water in the fridge in
heats up. a safe drinking bottle. If you are filling water
bottles to bring along on outdoor hikes, consider
8. Take shorter showers. buying a LifeStraw personal water filter which
One way to cut down on water use is to turn off the enables users to drink water safely from rivers or
shower after soaping up, then turn it back on to lakes or any available body of water.
rinse. A four-minute shower uses approximately 20
to 40 gallons of water.
Water conservation in the yard and garden...
9. Turn off the water after you wet your
toothbrush 16. Plant drought-resistant lawns, shrubs and
There is no need to keep the water running while plants
brushing your teeth. Just wet your brush and fill a If you are planting a new lawn, or overseeding an
glass for mouth rinsing. existing lawn, use drought-resistant grasses such as
the new"Eco-Lawn".
10. Rinse your razor in the sink Many beautiful shrubs and plants thrive with far
Fill the sink with a few inches of warm water. This less watering than other species. Replace
will rinse your razor just as well as running water, herbaceous perennial borders with native plants.
with far less waste of water. Native plants will use less water and be more
resistant to local plant diseases. Consider applying
11. Use your dishwasher and clothes washer for the principles of xeriscape for a low-maintenance,
only full loads drought resistant yard.
Automatic dishwashers and clothes washers should Plant slopes with plants that will retain water and
be fully loaded for optimum water conservation. help reduce runoff.
Most makers of dishwashing soap recomend not Group plants according to their watering needs.
pre-rinsing dishes which is a big water savings.
With clothes washers, avoid the permanent press 17. Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants
cycle, which uses an added 20 liters (5 gallons) for Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture while
the extra rinse. For partial loads, adjust water levels discouraging weed growth. Adding 2 - 4 inches of
to match the size of the load. Replace old clothes organic material such as compost or bark mulch
washers. New Energy Star rated washers use 35 - willincrease the ability of the soil to retain
50% less water and 50% less energy per load. If moisture. Press the mulch down around the dripline
you're in the market for a new clothes washer, of each plant to form a slight depression which will
consider buying a water-saving frontload washer. prevent or minimize water runoff.
For information about different mulch materials
12. Minimize use of kitchen sink garbage and their best use, click here.
disposal units
In-sink 'garburators' require lots of water to operate 18. Don't water the gutter
properly, and also add considerably to the volume Position your sprinklers so water lands on the lawn
of solids in a septic tank which can lead to or garden, not on paved areas. Also, avoid watering
maintenance problems. Start a compost pile as an on windy days.
alternate method of disposing food waste.
19. Water your lawn only when it needs it
13. When washing dishes by hand, don't leave A good way to see if your lawn needs watering is to
the water running for rinsing step on the grass. If it springs back up when you
move, it doesn't need water. If it stays flat, the lawn
is ready for watering. Letting the grass grow taller
(to 3") will also promote water retention in the soil.
Most lawns only need about 1" of water each week.
During dry spells, you can stop watering altogether
and the lawn will go brown and dormant. Once
cooler weather arrives, the morning dew and
rainfall will bring the lawn back to its usual vigor.
This may result in a brown summer lawn, but it
saves a lot of water.
20. Deep-soak your lawn
When watering the lawn, do it long enough for the
moisture to soak down to the roots where it will do
the most good. A light sprinkling can evaporate
quickly and tends to encourage shallow root
systems. Put an empty tuna can on your lawn -
when it's full, you've watered about the right
amount. Visit our natural lawn care page for more
information.
21. Water during the early parts of the day;
avoid watering when it's windy
Early morning is generally better than dusk since it
helps prevent the growth of fungus. Early watering,
and late watering, also reduce water loss to
evaporation. Watering early in the day is also the
best defence against slugs and other garden pests.
Try not to water when it's windy - wind can blow
sprinklers off target and speed evaporation.
22. Add organic matter and use efficient
watering systems for shrubs, flower beds and
lawns
Adding organic material to your soil will help
increase its absorption and water retention. Areas
which are already planted can be 'top dressed' with
compost or organic matter.
You can greatly reduce the amount of water used
for shrubs, beds and lawns by:
- the strategic placement of soaker hoses
- installing a rain barrel water catchment system
- installing a simple drip-irrigation system
Avoid over-watering plants and shrubs, as this can
actually diminish plant health and cause yellowing
of the leaves.
When hand watering, use a variable spray
nozzle for targeted watering.
23. Don't run the hose while washing your car
Clean the car using a pail of soapy water. Use the
hose only for rinsing - this simple practice can save
as much as 150 gallons when washing a car. Use a
spray nozzle when rinsing for more efficient use of
water. Better yet, use awaterless car washing
system; there are several brands, such as EcoTouch,
which are now on the market.
24. Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways
and sidewalks
25. Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets and
couplings
Leaks outside the house may not seem as
bad since they're not as visible. But they can be just
as wasteful as leaks indoors. Check frequently to
keep them drip-free. Use hose washers at spigots
and hose connections to eliminate leaks.
Water conservation comes naturally when everyone
in the family is aware of its importance, and parents
take the time to teach children some of the simple
water-saving methods around the home which can
make a big difference.
Water Conservation Summary
In 1990, 30 states in the US reported 'water-stress'
conditions. In 2000, the number of states reporting
water-stress rose to 40. In 2009, the number rose to
45. There is a worsening trend in water supply
nationwide. Taking measures at home to conserve
water not only saves you money, it also is of
benefit to the greater community.
Saving water at home does not require any
significant cost outlay. Although there are water-
saving appliances and water conservation systems
such as rain barrels, drip irrigation and on-demand
water heaters which are more expensive, the bulk
of water saving methods can be achieved at little
cost. For example, 75% of water used indoors is in
the bathroom, and 25% of this is for the toilet. The
average toilet uses 4 gallons per flush (gpf). You
can invest in a ULF (ultra-low flush) toilet which
will use only 2 gpf. But you can also install a
simple tank bank, costing about $2, which will save
.8 gpf. This saves 40% of what you would save
with the ULF toilet. Using simple methods like
tank banks, low-flow showerheads and faucet
aerators you can retrofit your home for under$50.
By using water-saving features you can reduce your
in-home water use by 35%. This means the average
household, which uses 130,000 gallons per year,
coulod save 44,00 gallons of water per year. On a
daily basis, the average household, using 350
gallons per day, could save 125 gallons of water
per day. The average individual, currently using 70
gallons per day, could save 25 gallons of water per
day.
When buying low-flow aerators, be sure to read the
label for the actual 'gpm' (gallons per minute)
rating. Often, the big box retailers promote "low-
flow" which are rated at 2.5 gpm, which is at the
top of the low-flow spectrum. This may be needed
for the kitchen sink, but we find that a 1.5 gpm
aerator works fine for the bathroom sink and most
water outlets, delivering the same spray force in a
comfortable, soft stream. Eartheasy's online
store carries a full range of low-flow aerators and
showerheads.
Finally, it should be noted that installing low-flow
aerators, showerheads, tank banks and other water-
saving devices usually is a very simple operation
which can be done by the homeowner and does not
even require the use of tools. Water conservation at
home is one of the easiest measures to put in place,
and saving water should become part of everday
family practice.
http://eartheasy.com/live_water_saving.htm
Water is one of the most vital natural resources for
all life on Earth. The availability and quality of
water always have played an important part in
determining not only where people can live, but
also their quality of life.Water must be considered
as a finite resource that has limits and boundaries to
its availability and suitability for use.
The balance
between
supply and
demand for
water is a
delicate one.
The
availability
of usable water has and will continue to dictate
where and to what extent development will occur.
Water must be in sufficient supply for an area to
develop, and an area cannot continue to develop if
water demand far outstrips available supply.
Further, a water supply will be called upon to meet
an array of offstream uses (in which the water is
withdrawn from the source) in addition to instream
uses (in which the water remains in place).
Figure 1 represents the demands on water as a tug-
of-war among the various offstream and instream
uses.
Water-use information can be used to evaluate the
impacts of population growth and the effectiveness
of alternative water management policies,
regulations, and conservation activities.
The Water – Use Cycle
Water is constantly in motion by way of
the hydrologic cycle. Water evaporates as vapor
from oceans, lakes, and rivers; is transpired from
plants; condenses in the air and falls as
precipitation; and then moves over and through the
ground into waterbodies, where the cycle begins
again.
The water-use cycle is composed of the water cycle
with the added influence of human activity. Dams,
reservoirs, canals, aqueducts, withdrawal pipes in
rivers, and groundwater wells all reveal that
humans have a major impact on the water cycle. In
the water-use cycle, water moves from a source to a
point of use, and then to a point of disposition. The
sources of water are either surface water or
groundwater. Water is withdrawn and moved from
a source to a point of use, such as an industry,
restaurant, home, or farm. After water is used, it
must be disposed of (or sometimes, reused). Used
water is either directly returned to the environment
or passes through a treatment processing plant
before being returned.
Categories of Water Use
 The U.S. Geological Survey categorizes water
use as the following:
 Commercial water use includes fresh water
for motels, hotels, restaurants, office
buildings, other commercial facilities, and
civilian and military institutions. Domestic
water use is probably the most important
daily use of water for most people.
 Domestic use includes water that is used in
the home every day, including water for
normal household purposes, such as
drinking, food preparation, bathing,
washing clothes and dishes, flushing toilets,
and watering lawns and gardens.
 Industrial water use is a valuable resource
to the nation's industries for such purposes
as processing, cleaning, transportation,
dilution, and cooling in manufacturing
facilities. Major water-using industries
include steel, chemical, paper, and
petroleum refining. Industries often reuse
the same water over and over for more than
one purpose.
 Irrigation water use is water artificially
applied to farm, orchard, pasture,
and horticultural crops, as well as water
used to irrigate pastures, for frost and freeze
protection, chemical application, crop
cooling, harvesting, and for the leaching of
salts from the crop root zone. Non-
agricultural activities include self-supplied
water to irrigate public and private golf
courses, parks,nurseries, turf farms,
 cemeteries, and other landscape irrigation
uses.
 Livestock water use includes water for
stock animals, feed lots, dairies, fish farms,
and other nonfarm needs. Water is needed
for the production of red meat, poultry,
eggs, milk, and wool, and for horses,
rabbits, and pets. Livestock water use only
includes fresh water.
 Mining water use includes water for the
extraction of naturally occurring minerals;
solids, such as coal and ores; liquids, such
as crude petroleum; and gases, such as
natural gas. The category includes
quarrying, milling (such as crushing,
screening, washing, and flotation), and
other operations as part of mining activity.
A significant portion of the water used for
mining, about 32 percent, is saline.
 Public Supply water use refers to water
withdrawn by public and private water
suppliers, such as county and municipal
water works, and delivered to users for
domestic, commercial, and industrial
purposes.
 Thermoelectric Power water use is the
amount of water used in the production of
electric power generated with heat. The
source of the heat may be from fossil fuels,
nuclear fission, or geothermal. Fossil
fuel power plants typically reuse water.
They generate electricity by turning
a turbine using steam power. After the
steam is used to turn the turbines, it is
condensed back to water by cooling it. The
condensed water is then routed back to the
boiler, where the cycle begins again.
 Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)
The Environmental Management Bureau
(EMB) is responsible for the implementation and
enforcement of DENR ADMINISTRATIVE
ORDER (DAO) 90 - 34, which is the “REVISED
WATER USAGE AND
CLASSIFICATION/WATER QUALITY
CRITERIA AMENDING SECTION NOS. 68
AND 69, CHAPTER III OF THE 1978 NPCC
RULES AND REGULATIONS”, It states the
quality of Philippine waters shall be maintained in
a safe and satisfactory condition according to their
best usages. For this purpose, all waters shall be
classified according to the following beneficial
usages:
(a) Fresh Surface Waters (rivers, lakes,
reservoirs, etc.)
Classification Beneficial Use
Class AA Public Water Supply Class
I. 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
II. 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 I.
For primary contact recreation
such as bathing, swimming,
skin diving, etc. (particularly
those designated for tourism
purposes).
Class C 1) Fishery Water for the
propagation and growth of
fish and other aquatic
resources; 2) Recreational
Water Class II (Boatings,
etc.)
3) Industrial Water Supply
Class I (For manufacturing
processes after treatment).
Class D 1)For agriculture,
irrigation, livestock
watering, etc.
2) Industrial Water Supply
Class II (e.g. cooling, etc.)
3) Other inland waters, by
their quality, belong to this
classification.
Its Beneficial Use, in general, refers to current best
beneficial use that is expected to last, at least, for
the next 10 to 20 years. In special cases when
dictated by political, economic, social, public
health, environmental and other considerations,
certain waters may be classified according to the
intended or future beneficial use (e.g. Pasig River,
Tullahan-Tenejeros, etc.)
Classification Beneficial Use
Class SA 1) Waters suitable for the
propagation, survival and
harvesting of shellfish 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.
Class SB 1) Recreational Water Class
I (Areas regularly used by the
public for bathing, swimming,
skin diving, etc.);
2) Fishery Water Class I
(Spawning areas for
Chanoschanos or "Bangus"
and similar species).
Class SC 1) Recreational Water Class
II (e.g. boating, etc.);
2) Fishery Water Class II
(Commercial and sustenance
fishing);
3) Marshy and/or mangrove
areas declared as fish and
wildlife sanctuaries;
Class SD 1) Industrial Water Supply
Class II (e.g. cooling, etc.);
2) Other coastal and marine
waters, by their quality,
belong to this classification.
In 1976, Presidential Decree No. 1067, otherwise
known as the “Water Code of the Philippines” was
enacted. Based on the principles that:
(a) “All water belongs to the State”; and
(b) The State may allow the use or development of
its waters by administrative concession”,
The NWRB was instituted as a “water resource
regulator” tasked to regulate and control the
utilization, exploitation, development, conservation
and protection of all water resources.
The specific functions of the NWRB, as a "Water
Resource Regulator", include among others:
(a) The issuance water permits for the
appropriation, and use of waters; and
(b) Adjudication of disputes relating to the
appropriation, utilization, exploitation,
development, control and conservation, protection
of waters.
The Philippine Water Sector
Some 30 national agencies are involved in
planning, regulating and implementing the delivery
of water and sanitation services and the care of the
country’ water resources:

This is in addition to area-specific agencies such as

Water Code of the Philippines (P.D. 1067)
LLDA, MMDA, universities with watersheds in
their campuses, and local governments:
The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) is
the leading government agency for the water sector
Critics may deplore this complex and sometimes
in the Philippines, regardingwater
overlapping setup, but same is due at least in part to
resources and potable water; it is conferred with
the fragmented geography of the country and its
policy-making, regulatory and quasi-judicial
water resources, and to the multidimensional
functions within the Philippine government.The
aspects of their use and management . A raft of
NWRB is an attached agency of the Department of
laws gives these various institutions their respective
Environment and Natural Resources and
mandates. However, more recent legislation (e.g.,
responsible for ensuring the optimum exploitation,
the Solid Waste Management Act and the Clean
utilization, development, conservation and
Water Act) have been notable for having a low
protection of the country's water resource,
level of compliance. Lack of funds is cited as the
consistent with the principlesof "Integrated Water
cause.
Resource Management (IWRM)".

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

Projected Future Water Supply and Sanitation
is a process which promotes the coordinated
Requirements
development and management of water, land and
related resources in order to maximise economic
Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA)
and social welfare in an equitable manner without
estimates that with business as usual scenarios and
compromising the sustainability of vital
at current population and development growth
ecosystems.
rates, water demand in the country will increase
from 30 billion cubic meters (BCM) in 1996 to to
86.5 BCM in 2025, broken down as follows:
• Domestic demand: from 1.95 BCM/year in 1995
to 7.43 BCM/year by 2025 (or 3.8 times the 1995
level)
• Agricultural demand: from 25.53 BCM/year in
1995 to 72.97 BCM/year by 2025 (or 2.8 times the
1995 level).
• Industrial demand: from 2.23 BCM/year in
1995 to 4.99 BCM/year by 2025 (or 4.48 times the
1995 level under a high growth scenario of 8.7%)
or 3.31 BCM/year (or 2.4 times the 1995 level
under a low growth scenario of 5.9%).

The debate in the sector centers on these basic

topics:
a) where the resources will come from and how
much;
b) who shall lead and what approaches will be
adopted.

Everybody agrees that the state has the main

responsibility in seeing to the delivery of basic
services such as water and sanitation to the people,
but some would encourage more private
investments, citing the speed, flexibility and
innovativeness of private companies as opposed to
the government in delivering results.

The foregoing just goes to show the complexity of

the Philippine water situation, with a multiplicity
of sources, modes of delivery and the numerous
agencies thereof, typology of ;waterlessness’, and
levels of willingness to pay, and schools of thought.

So whatever way forward an LGU, community or

household will choose to go, what will be important
at this stage is that the resources and approaches
will be ready for them.