Summary of DAO 2016-08

Subject: Water Quality Guideline and General Effluent Standards of 2016

Section 2: Objectives

 This was issued to provide guidelines for the classification of water bodies
 Determination of time trends
 Evaluation of stages of deterioration/enhancement of water quality
 Evaluation for taking actions in preventing, controlling, or abating water pollution
 Designates Water Quality Management Areas (WQMA)
 Sets the General Effluent Standards (GES)

Section 3: Scope and coverage

 Applies to all water bodies in the country

 GES applies to all point sources of pollution regardless of volume
 GES shall be used regardless of industry category

Section 4: Definition of terms

a) Annual average – sum of all values in a year divided by the number of values
b) Assimilative capacity – contaminant load that can be discharged to a specific water body
c) Discharge – not limited to spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, releasing or
dumping into a water body or land
d) Effluent – discharge from known source and passed into a body of water or land
e) Establishment – recognizable economic unit under a single ownership/control
f) Freshwater – water containing less than 500 ppm dissolved common salt, sodium chloride in
groundwater, rivers, ponds and lakes
g) General Effluent Standards (GES) – legal restriction/limitation on quantities, rates, and/or
concentrations or any combination of physical, chemical or biological parameters of effluent which
may be allowed to discharge into a body of water or land. Applicable to all industries and defined
according to classification of the receiving water body.
h) Geometric Mean – nth root of the product of a series of n numbers. Used for covering wide range of
set of numbers. GM = (a1*a2*a3*…..*an)^(1/n)
i) Groundwater – subsurface water which occurs beneath a water table in soils, rocks or in geological
formations.
j) Industry – set of all production units engaged primarily in the same or similar economic actions
k) Marine waters – water with salinity levels greater than or equal to 30 parts per thousand. At least
95% of the time.
l) Maximum Allowable Limit – values that should not be exceeded at any point in time
m) Natural Background Concentration – amount of naturally occurring chemical substances from
natural processes in the environment
n) Navigable Waters – waters of the Philippines: territorial sea and inland waters suitable for transport
o) Point Source – identifiable source of pollution with a specific point of discharge onto a water body
p) Pollutant – any substance, whether solid, liquid, gaseous or radioactive that may:
a. Alter the quality of water body affecting any beneficial use
b. Hazardous to health
c. Objectionable qualities – odor, temperature, physical and chemical
d. Exceeded the allowable limits/concentration/quality standards as prescribed in RA 9275.
q) Potable Water – water suitable for drinking and cooking purposes
r) Primary Cost Recreation – any form of recreation that has direct contact with human body and water
s) Primary Parameters – required minimum water quality parameters monitored
t) Protected Water – water course/body classified as a source of public supply, harvesting of shellfish
for consumption, regarded as national marine/coral reef park and reserve.
 u) Receiving Water Body – Water body which surface/waste water and effluent are discharged.
v) Secondary Parameters – Other water quality parameters for baseline assessments. Part of
Environmental Impact Assessment and other water quality monitoring purposes.
w) Secretary – Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources
x) Significant Effluent Quality Parameters – parameters specific to the processes of an establishment
y) Strong Wastewater – wastewater with initial Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) before treatment
is equal or greater than 3000 mg/L.
z) Surface Waters – bodies of water which are open to the atmosphere and subject for surface runoff
aa) Treatment – any method, technique or process designed to alter the physical, chemical, biological
or radiological character or composition to reduce/prevent pollution.
bb) Water body – natural and man-made bodies of fresh, brackish and saline waters. Not limited to:
a. Aquifers
b. Groundwater
c. Springs
d. Creeks
e. Streams
f. Rivers
g. Ponds
h. Lagoons
i. Water Reservoir
j. Lakes
k. Bays
l. Estuarine
m. Coastal waters
n. Marine waters
cc) Water Pollution – alteration to worse physical, chemical, biological or radiological properties of water
dd) Water Quality Guidelines (WQG) – level for a water constituent to classify water resources and use.
ee) Water Quality Management Area (WQMA) – certain areas designated using appropriate
physiographic units (watershed, river basins or water resources regions), having similar conditions
which affects the physiochemical, biological and bacteriological reactions and diffusions of
pollutants in the water bodies or otherwise share coming interests or face similar development
programs, prospects or problems.

Section 5: Classification of Water Bodies

Table 1. Water Body Classification and Usage of Freshwater

Classification Intended beneficial Use

AA Public Water Supply Class I – watersheds which are uninhabited/ declared as protected
areas and which require only approved disinfection to meet latest PNSDW
A Public Water Supply Class II – sources of water requiring conventional treatment
(coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection) to meet latest PNSDW
B Recreational Water Class I – primary contact recreation (bathing, swimming, etc.)
C 1. Fishery Water for fish propagation and growth of other aquatic resources
2. Recreational Water Class II – Boating, fishing or similar activities
3. Agriculture, irrigation and livestock watering
D Navigable waters
Note: Unclassified water bodies shall be based on beneficial use determined by Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)
 Table 2. Water Body Classification and Usage of Marine Waters

Classification Intended beneficial Use

SA 1. Protected Waters – national or local marine parks, reserves, sanctuaries and
areas covered by law (Presidential Proclamation 1801 and other existing laws),
and or declared by appropriate government agencies / LGUs.
2. Fishery Water Class I – Suitable for shellfish harvesting for direct human
consumption
SB 1. Fishery Water Class II – commercial propagation of shellfish and intended as
spawning areas for milkfish and similar species
2. Tourist Zones – Ecotourism and recreational activities
3. Recreational Water Class I – Intended for primary contact recreation (bathing
swimming, skin diving, etc.)
SC 1. Fishery Water Class III – propagation and growth of fish and other aquatic
resources and intended for commercial and sustenance fishing
2. Recreational Water Class II – for boating, fishing or similar
3. Marshy and/or mangrove areas declared as fish and wildlife sanctuaries
SD Navigable waters
Note: Unclassified water bodies shall be based on beneficial use determined by Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)

Section 6: Water Quality Guidelines (Classifying the Water Body)

 Rules specified in this section are for maintaining/preserving the quality of water bodies based on
beneficial usage, to prevent pollution and contamination to protect all living things.
 WQG for each water body is given in a table below
 Primary parameters are minimum water quality parameters to be monitored in a water body
 Secondary parameters and other water quality parameters are used in baseline assessment of
Environmental Impact Assessment and other quality monitoring purposes as defined in
Recommended Parameters, Frequency and Duration of Sampling of the Ambient Water Quality
Monitoring Manual issued through EMB Memorandum Circular 2008-008.
 Water quality monitoring procedures (water quality monitoring plan, sampling, quality assurance,
quality control and etc.) shall also be in accordance with EMB Memorandum Circular 2008-008.

Table 3. Water Quality Guidelines for Primary Parameters

Water body Classification

Parameter Unit
AA A B C D SA SB SC SD
BOD mg/L 1 3 5 7 15 n/a n/a n/a n/a
Chloride mg/L 250 250 250 350 400 n/a n/a n/a n/a
Color TCU 5 50 50 75 150 5 50 75 150
Dissolved
Oxygen mg/L 5 5 5 5 2 6 6 5 2
(Minimum)
Fecal MPN /
Coliform
<1.1 <1.1 100 200 400 <1.1 100 200 400
100mL
Nitrate as
NO3-N
mg/L 7 7 7 7 15 10 10 10 15
pH range 6.5 - 8.5 6.5 - 8.5 6.5 - 8.5 6.5 - 9.0 6.0 - 9.0 7.0 - 8.5 7.0 - 8.5 6.5 - 8.5 6.0 - 9.0
Phosphate mg/L <0.003 0.5 0.5 0.5 5 0.1 0.5 0.5 5
Temperature °C 26 – 30 26 – 30 26 – 30 25 – 31 25 – 32 26 - 30 26 – 30 25- 31 25 - 32
Total
Suspended mg/L 25 50 65 80 110 25 50 80 110
Solids
MPN – Most Probable Number

TCU – True Color Unit

 Table 4. Water Quality Guidelines for Secondary Parameters - Inorganics

Water body Classification

Parameter Unit
AA A B C D SA SB SC SD
Ammonia as
NH3-N
mg/L 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.75 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.75
Boron mg/L 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.75 3 0.5 0.5 5 20
Fluoride mg/L 1 1 1 1 2 1.5 1.5 1.5 3
Selenium mg/L 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.01 0.01 0.1 0.2
Sulfate mg/L 250 250 250 275 500 250 250 275 500

Table 5. Water Quality Guidelines for Secondary Parameters – Metals

Water body Classification

Parameter Unit
AA A B C D SA SB SC SD
Arsenic mg/L 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.04
Barium mg/L 0.7 0.7 0.7 3 4 0.1 0.7 1 4
Cadmium mg/L 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.005 0.01 0.003 0.003 0.005 0.01
Chromium as
Hexavalent
Chromium
mg/L 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.1
(Cr6+)
Dissolved
Copper
mg/L 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.04
Iron mg/L 1 1 1 1.5 7.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 7.5
Lead mg/L 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.05 0.1 0.01 0.01 0.05 0.1
Manganese mg/L 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 2 0.4 0.4 0.4 4
Mercury mg/L 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.002 0.004 0.001 0.001 0.002 0.004
Nickel mg/L 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.2 1 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.3
Zinc mg/L 2 2 2 2 4 0.04 0.05 0.8 1.5

Table 6. Water Quality Guidelines for Secondary Parameters – Organics

Water body Classification

Parameter Unit
AA A B C D SA SB SC SD
Benzo(a)pyrene mg/L 0.7 0.7 0.7 1.5 3 0.7 0.7 1.5 3
BTEX
Benzene mg/L 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.05 0.5 0.01 0.01 0.05 0.5
Toluene mg/L 0.7 0.7 1 4 5 1 1 4 5
Ethylbenzene mg/L 0.3 0.3 0.3 1.5 2 0.2 0.2 1.5 2
Xylenes mg/L 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.5 1.8 0.5 0.5 1.5 1.8
Free Cyanide mg/L 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.1 0.2 0.02 0.02 0.1 0.2
Malathion μg/L 1 1 1 3 6 1 1 3 6
Oil and Grease mg/L <1 1 1 2 5 1 2 3 5
Polychlorinated
Biphenyls
μg/L <0.1 <0.1 0.2 0.5 1 0.3 0.3 0.5 1
Phelonic
Substances
mg/L <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 0.05 0.5 <0.001 <0.001 0.05 0.5
Surfactants
(MBAS)
mg/L <0.025 0.2 0.3 1.5 3 0.3 0.3 1.5 3
Trichloroethylene mg/L 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.9 2 0.07 0.07 0.9 2
Total
Organochloride μg/L n/a n/a 50 50 50 50 50 50 50
Pesticides
Aldrin μg/L 0.03 0.03 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Chlordane μg/L 0.2 0.2 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
DDT* μg/L 1 1 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Dieldrin μg/L 0.03 0.03 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Endrin μg/L 0.6 0.6 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Heptachlor μg/L 0.03 0.03 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
 Lindane μg/L 2 2 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Methoxychlor μg/L 50 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Toxaphene μg/L 4 4 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
*DDT = Dicholorophenyltrichloroethane

Section 6.2: Guidelines for Groundwater Quality (Deepwells)

 Quality shall be maintained at intended beneficial usage

Table 7. Groundwater Quality Guidelines

Intended Beneficial Use Groundwater Quality Guidelines

Source of Potable Water and Other Domestic
use
Bathing and Other Primary Contact Recreation
Irrigation, Fish Culture, Livestock Watering
Adopt Class A (except BOD and Dissolved
Oxygen)
Adopt Class B WQG (except BOD and Dissolved
Oxygen)
Adopt Class C WQG (except BOD, Dissolved
Oxygen, and Total Suspended Solids)

Section 6.3: Important Considerations (Sampling for water bodies)

 Annual average of at least 10 data sets for primary parameters except for coliform
 Annual average of at least 4 data sets for secondary inorganic parameters
 Geometric mean of at least three data sets per quarter for fecal coliform. Maximum allowable limit
for coliform is twice the WQG per sample.
 Maximum allowable limit for secondary metals and organics parameters
 Natural background concentration as determined by EMB shall prevail if the increase is only 10%
from WQG and will not cause any risk to health and environment

Section 7.0: General Effluent Standards

 Discharges at any point shall meet all the effluent standards in Table 2-3
 GES is used regardless of industry
 Effluent used for irrigation shall conform to Department of Agriculture Administrative Order 2007-26
or Guidelines on the Procedures and Technical Standards for the Issuance of a Certification
Allowing for a safe Re-use of Wastewater for the Purposes of Irrigation and other Agricultural Uses
 Effluent quality monitoring procedures shall be in accordance with Effluent Quality Monitoring
Manual though EMB Memorandum Circular 2008-008:
o Effluent Quality Monitoring Plan
o Sampling
o Quality Assessment
o Quality Control

Section 7.1: Significant Effluent Quality Parameters per Sector (GES Enforcement)

Table 8. Significant Effluent Quality Parameters per Sector

PSIC Code Industry Category Significant Parameters

I. Real Estate Activities
681 Real estate activities with own or BOD, Fecal Coliform, Ammonia,
leased property Nitrate, Phosphate, Oil and
Grease, Surfactants
Section 7.2: Effluent Standards (From Treatment)

 Table 9 shall be enforced and complied at all times for maintaining the quality of water bodies

Table 9. Effluent Standards

Water body Classification

Parameter Unit
AA A B C D SA SB SC SD

Ammonia as
NH3-N
mg/L NDA 0.5 0.5 0.5 7.5 NDA 0.5 0.5 7.5
BOD mg/L NDA 20 30 50 120 NDA 30 100 150
Boron mg/L NDA 2 2 3 12 NDA 2 20 80
Chloride mg/L NDA 350 350 450 500 NDA n/a n/a n/a
COD mg/L NDA 60 60 100 200 NDA 60 200 300
Color TCU NDA 100 100 150 300 NDA 100 150 300
Free Cyanide mg/L NDA 0.14 0.14 0.2 0.4 NDA 0.04 0.2 0.4
Fluoride mg/L NDA 2 2 2 4 NDA 3 3 6
Nitrate as NO3-N mg/L NDA 14 14 14 30 NDA 20 20 30
pH range NDA 6.0-9.0 6.0-9.0 6.0-9.5 5.5-9.5 NDA 6.5-9.0 6.0-9.0 5.5-9.5
Phosphate mg/L NDA 1 1 1 10 NDA 1 1 10
Selenium mg/L NDA 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.08 NDA 0.02 0.2 0.4
Sulfate mg/L NDA 500 500 550 1000 NDA 500 550 1000
Surfactants
(MBAS)
mg/L NDA 2 3 15 30 NDA 3 15 30
°C
Temperature
Change NDA 3 3 3 3 NDA 3 3 3
Total Suspended
Solids
mg/L NDA 70 85 100 150 NDA 70 100 150

Arsenic mg/L NDA 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.08 NDA 0.02 0.04 0.08
Barium mg/L NDA 1.5 1.5 6 8 NDA 1.5 2 8
Cadmium mg/L NDA 0.006 0.006 0.01 0.02 NDA 0.006 0.01 0.02
Chromium as
Hexavalent mg/L NDA 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.04 NDA 0.1 0.1 0.2
Chromium (Cr6+)
Dissolved
Copper
mg/L NDA 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.08 NDA 0.04 0.04 0.08
Iron mg/L NDA 5 5 7.5 35 NDA 7.5 7.5 35
Lead mg/L NDA 0.02 0.02 0.1 0.2 NDA 0.02 0.1 0.2
Manganese mg/L NDA 2 2 2 20 NDA 4 4 40
Mercury mg/L NDA 0.002 0.002 0.004 0.008 NDA 0.002 0.004 0.008
Nickel mg/L NDA 0.1 0.2 1 5 NDA 0.2 0.3 1.5
Zinc mg/L NDA 4 4 4 8 NDA 0.1 1.5 3

Benzo(a)pyrene μg/L NDA 1.5 1.5 3 6 NDA 1.5 3 6

BTEX
Benzene mg/L NDA 0.1 0.1 0.5 5 NDA 0.1 0.5 5
Toluene mg/L NDA 3.5 5 20 25 NDA 5 20 25
Ethylbenzene mg/L NDA 1.5 1.5 7.5 10 NDA 1 7.5 10
Xylenes mg/L NDA 5 5 15 18 NDA 5 15 18
Malathion μg/L NDA 1 1 3 6 NDA 1 3 6
Oil and Grease mg/L NDA 5 5 5 15 NDA 5 10 15
Polychlorinated
Biphenyls
μg/L NDA <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 NDA <0.1 <0.1 <0.1
Phenol &
Phelonic mg/L NDA 0.01 0.01 0.5 5 NDA 0.01 0.5 5
Substances
 Water body Classification
Parameter Unit
AA A B C D SA SB SC SD
Trichloroethylene mg/L NDA 0.7 0.7 9 20 NDA 0.7 9 20
Total
Organochloride μg/L NDA <0.419 50 50 50 NDA 50 50 50
Pesticides
Aldrin μg/L NDA <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 NDA <0.02 <0.02 <0.02
Chlordane μg/L NDA <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 NDA <0.02 <0.02 <0.02
DDT* μg/L NDA <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04
Dieldrin μg/L NDA <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 NDA <0.02 <0.02 <0.02
Endrin μg/L NDA <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 NDA <0.02 <0.02 <0.02
Heptachlor μg/L NDA <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 NDA <0.02 <0.02 <0.02
Lindane μg/L NDA <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 NDA <0.02 <0.02 <0.02
Methoxychlor μg/L NDA <0.03 <0.03 <0.03 <0.03 <0.03 <0.03 <0.03 <0.03
Toxaphene μg/L NDA <0.03 <0.03 <0.03 <0.03 <0.03 <0.03 <0.03 <0.03

MPN
Fecal coliform / 100 NDA 4 200 400 800 NDA 200 400 800
mL
MPN
Total coliform / 100 NDA 3000 3000 10000 15000 NDA 3000 10000 15000
mL
*DDT = Dicholorophenyltrichloroethane NDA – No Discharge Allowed Texts in red are for residential

Section 7.3: Effluent Standards for BOD for Strong Wastewater (From Treatment)

 Table 10 shall be applied for establishments with influent BOD equal or greater than 3000 mg/L
 Receiving water body is Class C, D, SC or SD
 Parameters other than BOD, Table 9 shall apply

Table 10. Effluent Standards for BOD Applicable to Establishments with Influent BOD ≥ 3000 mg/L

Influent BOD Units Class C Class D Class SC Class SD

3000 to <65000 mg/L 100 150 100 150
6500 to <10000 mg/L 200 300 200 300
10000 to 30000 mg/L 600 1000 600 1000
>30000 mg/L 900 1500 900 1500

Section 8.0: Modification of WQG and GES

 Any person may request the modification of WQG and GES described in this section
 Request shall include a valid result/evidence consistent with RA 9275
 Shall be submitted to DENR Secretary
8.1 Modification of Designated Uses

 If deemed valid by DENR Secretary through EMB, DENR shall promulgate the modification
in accordance with RA 9275
8.2 Modification of WQG Values

 Same with 8.1. Modification of WQG value of water segment shall not modify the designated
use of the same segment
8.3 Modification of Significant Effluent Quality Parameters and GES Values

 Anyone may request the modification of significant effluent quality parameters per sector
and/or GES value
 DENR Secretary shall approve once valid in accordance with RA 9275
  Modification of GES Value shall not exceed the WQG with respect to the water body
 If a significant parameter is present in the waste stream of establishment but is not listed in
Table 8, DENR through EMB shall require to comply with that parameter
 If a significant parameter is NOT present in the waste stream of establishment, such
establishment may request DENR through EMB for exclusion with that parameter if
conditions are met:
o Parameter is below method detection level (MDL) in effluent for at least 10
monitoring events
o MDL is based on EMB approved Method of Analysis
o No change of technology and raw materials in its operation/processes
o EMB may conduct validation

Section 10.0: Grace Period

 Grace period of less than or equal to 5 years

o Provided for establishment that submitted its Compliance Action Plan and periodic status of
implementation to DENR
 Case for where Grace Period shall be valid:
o Value for GES have become stringent/precise/strict to values in DAO 1990-35. DAO 1990-
35 shall apply during the grace period
o New significant effluent quality parameters were identified for the sector

Section 11.0: Prohibitions

1. No effluent from any source shall discharge to Class AA and SA waters
2. No effluent shall cause the quality of water to fall below WQG with respect to its classification
3. No one shall discharge wholly/partially untreated/ inadequately treated effluent directly to water
bodies or land through any means
4. No one shall use submarine outfall or any underground conveyance for discharging except when
these conditions are met:
a. Effluent is compliant with GES in Section 7
b. Receiving water body is marine water; protects the aesthetic of shorelines
c. Infrastructure needed for sampling treated effluent is constructed above ground prior to
conveyance
5. No one shall build/erect/install or use any equipment or any means which conceals/dilute and
effluent to which will violate these regulations
6. No establishment or source of water pollutions shall be operated without pollution control facilities or
wastewater treatment system in good operation
7. No establishment/source of water pollution be operated at capacities beyond limits of capability of
wastewater treatment facility or conditions required by law/Wastewater Discharge permit
8. No new industrial plant with high waste load potential shall discharge to water body that has
insufficient dilution/assimilative capacity during dry weather conditions in maintaining its WQG
according to its Class.

Section 12.0: Fines, Damages and Penalties

 Anyone violating this shall be liable under Section 28 of RA 9275

 Summary of DAO 2004-25
Subject: Amending Chapter V, Article I of the Implementing Rules and Regulation of PD 984 by Deleting
the Authority to Construct and Conversion of Permit to Operate to Discharge Permit for Water Pollution
Source / Control Facilities
Objectives:

 To expedite compliance of establishments having water pollution source/control facilities with DENR
standards and requirements
 Conversion of Permit to Operate requirement into Discharge Permit to manage and regulate
discharges
 Removal of Authority to Construct requirement of Article I Chapter V of PD 984

Chapter V Article I:
1. Application for Discharge Permit
 Application shall be filed by owners or operators or facilities that discharge regulated
effluents
 Application shall be made in format prescribed by Department through the Bureau (EMB)
 Filed in triplicate copies and shall include:

For Original Discharge Permit

1) Engineering report covering:
i) Plant description and operations
ii) Types and quantities of waste materials generated
iii) Proposed waste control facilities
iv) Treatment objectives
v) Design criteria
(a) If warranted, shall be based on the results of laboratory and pilot plan scale
studies.
vi) Design efficiencies of proposed treatment facilities
vii) Quantities and types of pollutants in treated effluents or emissions
2) Vicinity Map identifying the following:
i) Street address
ii) Location/Premises of the installation
3) Plant and Drainage layout indicating
i) Sources of wastewater discharge
ii) Point of disposal
4) Plan and Specifications of Installation and control facilities
i) Standard size of 50 cm x 90 cm
ii) Duly certified by a registered sanitary/chemical/ appropriate engineer or
combinations of any two or all as required by Bureau
(a) Depending on the nature of construction
(b) Operation
(c) Activity covered by permit
iii) Details of pollution control equipment or facilities
(a) Arrangement
(b) Location
(c) Size
(d) Accessories
(e) Cross-sections
(f) Construction details
 iv) Specifications
(a) Sufficient detail
(b) Proposed means and methods for pollution control
(c) Expected performance efficiency
5) Results of laboratory analysis of effluent

For Renewal
1) Duly accomplished application form

2. Action on the Application for Discharge Permit

 Approval of application shall be acted by Department thru Bureau within 25 days after
submission of complete requirements
 Denial of application for having incomplete requirements
 If denied, applicant may file a petition within 15 days from notice
 Applications for Discharge Permit are for public viewing at Department Regional Office
 Any interested person may oppose in writing before its approval to which will require a public
hearing later on with the Bureau

3. Temporary Discharge Permit

 For purposes of sampling and testing of new facilities this is issued for less than or equal to
90 days with pending application for Discharge Permit
 A regular permit is issued once complied with the standards

4. Life and General Condition of Permits

 Valid for 5 years unless suspended/revoked sooner
 Shall be renewed for at least 30 days before its expiration and upon payment of fees and
submission of requirements

5. Grounds for Suspension or Revocation of Discharge Permits

a. Non-compliance with or violation of PD 984/RA 9275 or these implementing Guidelines
and/or permit conditions
b. Non-submission of quarterly self-monitoring reports
c. Falsification of information stated in the application permit which led the Regional Office to
issue the permit
d. Refusal for inspections under Section 23 (k), (l), (m), and (o) of RA 9275
e. Non-payment of permit fees
f. Other lawful and valid causes as provided in these implementing Guidelines

6. Effect of Disapproval of Application or Suspension or Revocation of Discharge Permit

 Shall not grant any right to the applicant or former holder to discharge its wastewater into the
environment
 If unauthorized discharging persists,
o Secretary or duly authorized representative shall issue an Ex-parte Cease and Desist
Order directing the discharger to discontinue further discharging into water bodies or
land
o Stoppage of operation
o Imposed fines and penalties
o Criminal prosecution under Clean Water Act of 2004 and applicable laws

7. Posting of Permit
 Permit holder shall display its permit clearly within the premises of the plant/installation and
is accessible
8. Transfer of Permit
 Permit is non-transferable
o Unless of sale or transfer of ownership or control
o Transferee shall notify the Regional office within 15 working days and shall provide:
1. Name of Transferee
2. Address of Transferee
3. Document evidencing the transfer
4. Application for transfer of permit
o This shall be valid if there is no change in the nature of business
o Permit in this case will still expire in the original expiry date

9. Plan Operational Problems

 In case of event where the compliance to application of Discharge permit is on hold due to
due to breakdown of installation for any cause, owner or his pollution control officer shall:
1. Immediately notify within 24 hours from occurrence the Department thru Bureau of
a. Cause
b. Steps taken to solve the problem and prevention measures
c. Estimated duration of the breakdown
d. Intent toward the reconstruction or repair of such installation
e. Other relevant information required
2. Department thru Bureau shall again be immediately notified when
a. The condition for breakdown has been corrected
b. Facility is in operation again
3. Be subject to payment of fines or penalties under
a. Article VII, Section 53 of IRR of PD 984
b. Section 28 of RA 9275 (Clean Water Act of 2004)

10. Self-Monitoring and Reporting

 Self-Monitoring Reports (SMR) are necessary requirements for continuance of permit
 Evaluation of existing permits and basis for renewal shall be based on this
 Frequency of submission format and specification shall follow DAO 27, Series of 2003
 Failure to submit, fill up and follow required format can lead to
1. Non-acceptance of SMR
2. Appropriate penalties to Permit holder