THE Philippine clean Water

Act of 2004
RA 9275
Jennifer r. maralit, R. Ch.
General Manager
OUTLINE
Introduction
Philippine Clean Water Act
DAO 2016-08
Wastewater Charge System
Discharge permit application
Wastewater Management
 WATER TRIVIA:

71% of the Earth's surface

 96.5% of the planet's water is found in seas and
oceans
1.7% in groundwater
1.7% in glaciers and the ice caps of Antarctica and
Greenland , a small fraction in other large water bodies,
 0.001% in the air as vapor, clouds (formed of ice and
liquid water suspended in air), and precipitation

Only 2.5% freshwater

98.8% of that water is in ice and groundwater

Less than 0.3% of all freshwater is in rivers, lakes, and

the atmosphere
Water
Vital for all known forms of life
Availability and quality of water
determines where people can live and
their quality of life
Is a finite resources that has limits and
boundaries to its availability and
suitability
Water is important..
uses sources
Domestic- drinking/
Deepwell
washing
Rivers
Industrial-food processing
Stream
- feed water
Ocean
Recreation-resorts/pools
Fresh water
Aesthetic
Agriculture-Irrigation
Chemical uses- Universal
solvent/reactant
POLLUTION
DECREASING SUPPLY
(increasing demand, 3 babies/min)
Global warming
waste
Water Pollution
 Any alteration of the physical, chemical, biological, or radiological properties of a water
body resulting in the impairment of its purity or quality.

 A major problem in urban centers and is becoming a threat in rural areas

 Industrial wastewater: The kinds of pollutants found in industrial wastewater varies

according to the types of industries involved, but some common pollutants are
chromium, cadmium, lead, mercury, and cyanide. Non-point sources/leachate: The
same kinds of pollutants found in industrial wastewater can also be found in leachate.
• Agricultural wastewater: This can include organic wastes such as
decayed plants, livestock manure, and dead animals, soil runoff due to
erosion, and pesticides and fertilizer residues. Domestic
wastewater/sewage: This can contain bacteria and viruses that can
threaten or even be fatal to human life.

• Other sources of water pollution include oil and/or chemical spills, mine
tailings or spills, and the illegal dumping of wastes in or near bodies of
water.
The Philippines is undergoing rapid urbanization and
industrialization. Out of more than one hundred million
Filipinos, nine million (9M) rely on unsafe water
supplies. In fact, water pollution in the Philippines and a
lack of proper sewage kills 55 people every day.

Katrina Arianne Ebora, part of UNICEF’s Water,

Sanitation and Hygiene program in the Philippines, notes
that access to adequate sanitation facilities is a problem
for more than 30 million Filipinos.

https://borgenproject.org/water-pollution-in-the-philippines/
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.
According to the UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
28JULY2010

The Human Right to Water is

indispensable for leading a life in human
It is essential for
dignity.

the realization of all

human rights.
To protect the water bodies
of the country, the
“Philippine Clean Water
Act of 2004” or Republic
Act No. 9275, was enacted
to ensure access to clean
water for all Filipinos.

March 22, 2004- signed by Pres.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Philippine Clean Water Act
State Policy:
Art. 1 Chapter 1 (CWA)
“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, using the
framework of sustainable development”

The right to a clean, adequate water sources.

RA 9275 (Philippine Clean Water
Act of 2004)

The law that applies to water quality

management in all bodies (natural
and human-made) of fresh, brackish,
and saline waters, and includes but
not limited to aquifers, groundwater,
springs, creeks, streams, rivers,
ponds, lagoons, water reservoirs,
lakes, bays, estuarine, coastal and
marine waters.
 DECLARATION OF POLICIES
Sustainable Development Framework

 Holistic National Program

 Integrated WQ Framework thru proper delegation,
effective coordination of functions
 Self regulation among industries thru application of
incentives and market- based instruments
 Focus on pollution prevention rather than control
 System of accountability of adverse environmental
impacts
 Organize, educate and motivate people to address
pertinent environmental issues and problems
Prohibited Acts under the Clean Water Act
 Discharging or depositing any water
pollutant to the water body, which
will impede natural flow in the water
body.
 Discharging, injecting, or allowing to
enter into the soil, anything that
would pollute groundwater.
 Operating facilities that discharge
regulated water pollutants without
the valid required permits.
 Disposal of potentially infectious
medical waste into sea by vessels.
 Unauthorized transport or dumping
into waters of sewage sludge or solid
waste.
The law primarily addresses the
abatement and control of pollution
from land-based sources (e.g.
industry wastes).

The Act focuses on the creation and

delegation of new regulatory,
planning and infrastructure
development functions to agencies &
subsidiary multi-sectoral bodies, and
on streamlining inter-agency
coordination
Who should implement the Clean Water Act?
The DENR is the primary government agency responsible for the
implementation and enforcement of this Act, with the support
of other government organizations, LGUs, NGOs and the
private sector.

DENR will
a) Review and set effluent standards
b) Review and enforce water quality guidelines
c) Classify groundwater sources and prepare a national
groundwater vulnerability map
d) Classify or reclassify water bodies
e) Establish internally accepted procedures fro sampling and
analysis
f) Prepare an integrated water quality management framework
and subsequently prepare 10-year management plans for each
water management area.
Roles of other key government agencies

Philippine Coast Guard: shall enforce water

quality standards in marine waters,
specifically from offshore sources.
DPWH: shall provide sewerage and
sanitation facilities, and the efficient and
safe collection, treatment and disposal of
sewage within their area of jurisdiction.
DA: shall formulate guidelines for the re-use
of wastewater for irrigation and other
agricultural uses and for the prevention,
control and abatement of pollution from
agricultural and aqua cultural activities.
DOH: shall set, revise, and enforce drinking
water quality standards.
DOST: shall evaluate, verify, develop and
disseminate pollution prevention and
cleaner production technologies.
DepEd, CHEd, DILG, and PIA: shall prepare
and implement a comprehensive and
continuing public education and
information program.
How will domestic wastewater be managed?
A national program on sewage and
septage management will be prepared
by the DPWH in coordination with
the LGUs within one year from the
effectivity of the Act.

The DOH will formulate guidelines and

standards for the collection,
treatment, and disposal of sewage as
well as the guidelines for the
establishment and operation of a
centralized sewage treatment system.
Policies
DAO 1990-34- Revised Water Usage and
Classification/Water Quality Criteria, amending
Section 68 and 69, Chapter III of the 1978 NPCC Rules
and Regulation
Section 68- Water Usage and Classification
 Fresh Water, Marine/Coastal
Water Quality Criteria

DAO 1990-35-Revised Effluent Regulations of 1990,

Revising and Amending the Effluent Regulations of
1982
How will the discharge of untreated wastewater be
discouraged?
Industries discharging wastewater into a water body will
have to pay a wastewater charge (discharge permit). This
economic instrument is expected to encourage investment
in cleaner production and pollution control technologies.

Rewards will also be given to those whose wastewater

discharge is better than the water quality criteria of the
receiving body of water. Fiscal and non-fiscal incentives
will be given to stakeholders who develop and undertake
innovative projects in water quality management.
 DENR Administrative Order
No. 2016 – 08
Approved May 24, 2016

Water Quality Guidelines and

General Effluent standards of 2016
Sec. 5.0 Classification of Water bodies

Primary Objective of Water Classification

Maintain body of water in a safe and satisfactory

condition according to its best usage
Secondary Objectives of Water Classification

Determine present
quality of water
body in relation to
the revised water
quality criteria
 Determine actual
best usage potential
and dominant water
utilization of the
water body
Secondary Objectives of Water Classification
(cont…)

Establish classification
of water body as an
important component in
the water quality
management
 Maintain minimum
conditions necessary
to assure the suitability
of the water for its
designated use or
classification
Water are classified according to:

A. Type

B. Beneficial use
 Pantabangan-Carranglan
watershed forest reserve

LOBOC WATERSHED FOREST

RESERVE

Lake Buhi Watershed.

Water Quality Management Area(WQMA)

CALUMPANG RIVER CLASS D

Table 2. Continuation
Class SB NCR

HONDA BAY,
MANILA BAY CLASS SB

Calapan River Class C

Coron Bay Class SB
Sabang Bay Class SB

SABANG BAY, CALAPAN,

CLASS S B
 Sec. 6.0 Water Quality Guidelines
(Freshwater and Marine Waters)

The rules and regulations established in this section are

intended to maintain and preserve the quality of all water
bodies based on their intended beneficial usage and to
prevent and abate pollution and contamination to protect
public health, aquatic resources, crops, and other living
organisms.
Sec. 7.0 General Effluent Standards

Discharges from any point source shall at all times meet the
effluent standards in order to maintain the required water
quality per water body classification.
The general effluent standard shall be used regardless of the
industry category.
EFFLUENT
Discharges from known Sources

Passed into a body of water or

Land

Flowing out of
Manufacturing Plant,
Industrial Plant
Domestic Commercial
Recreational Facilities
Eutrophication
 The effect when a water body
becomes so rich in nutrients
that natural wildlife is unable to
survive.

 The area became swamped with

algae and foreign species
starving the water body of
oxygen.

- Causes : intensive farming

- (N2, P from agricultural
lands)
: sewage and industrial
wastewater discharge
 Sec. 7.1 Significant Effluent
Quality Parameters per Sector
 PSIC Industry Category Significant Parameters
Code

A. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

014 Animal Production BOD, Total Suspended

Solids, Total Coliform (for
Class B and SB) Ammonia,
Phosphate

032 Aquaculture (excluding

fish pens) BOD, Total Suspended
Solids, Ammonia, Nitrate,
Phosphate, Sulfate
 PSIC Industry Category Significant Parameters
Code

I. Accommodation and Food Services

55 Hotels, motels, resorts, BOD, Fecal Coliform
dormitories and other Ammonia, Nitrate,
accommodation services Phosphate, Oil and Grease,
Surfactants

56 Restaurants, food BOD, Total Suspended Solids,

chains, bar and other Oil and Grease, Surfactants
food/beverage services
 PSIC Industry Category Significant Parameters
Code

Q. Human Health and Social Works

86, 87 Hospitals, clinics, Color, Temperature, pH,

nursing homes and BOD, Total Suspended
other human health and Solids, Fecal Coliform,
residential care Ammonia, Nitrate,
activities Phosphate, Oil and Grease,
Surfactants

86900 Other human health

activities – medical All significant parameters
laboratories inside and depending on the nature of
outside of medical their activity
facilities
 PSIC Code Industry Category Significant Parameters
B. Mining and Quarrying
05 Mining of coal and Lignite Color, pH, Total Suspended Solids, Nitrate,
Sulfate, Manganese, Iron, Arsenic, Cadmium,
Mercury, Lead.

06 Extraction of crude pH, Total Suspended Solids, Sulfate, Fluoride,

petroleum and natural gas, Barium, Chromium, Nickel, Copper, Zinc,
and support activities Mercury, Oil and Grease, Phenol & Phenolic
Substances, Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene,
Xylenes, benzo(a)pyrene

07100 Mining of iron ores Color, pH, Total Suspended Solids, Nitrate,
Manganese, Iron, Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead
0722 Mining of precious metal ores
Gold ore mining pH, Total Suspended Solids, Nitrate, Cyanide,
Copper, Zinv, Arsenic, Mercury, Lead

Silver ore mining pH, Total Suspended Solids, Nitrate, Cyanide,

Copper, Zinc, Arsenic, Mercury, Lead

Platinum ore mining pH, Total Suspended Solids, Nitrate, Sulfate,

Cyanide, Manganese, iron, Copper, Zinc,
Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury, Lead
 PSIC Code Industry Category Significant Parameters
07291 Copper ore mining pH, Total Suspended Solids, Nitrate,
Sulfate, Cyanide, Iron, Copper, Zinc,
Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury, Lead

07292 Chromite ore mining pH, Total Suspended Solids, Nitrate,

Chromium, Arsenic, Cadmium,
Mercury, Lead

07293 Manganese ore mining pH, Total Suspended Solids, Nitrate,

Manganese, Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead

07294 Nickel ore mining pH, Total Suspended Solids, Manganese,

Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Nickel

08913 Pyrite mining pH, Total Suspended Solids, Sulfate,

Manganese, Iron, Copper, Arsenic, Lead

08914 Rock phosphate mining pH, COD, Total Suspended Solids,

Ammonia, Phosphate, Fluoride,
Surfactants
 PSIC Code Industry Category Significant Parameters
D. Electricity, Gas, Steam and Air Conditioning Supply
35100 Electric power generation (except transmission and distribution)
Coal Temperature, pH, COD, Total Suspended Solids,
Phosphate, Sulfate, Chloride, Boron, Chromium, Nickel,
Copper, Zinc, Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury, Lead, Oil
and Grease

35100 Natural Gas Temperature, pH, COD, Total Suspended Solids,

Phosphate, Chloride, Chromium, Zinc
Oil (Petroleum) Temperature, pH, COD, Total Suspended Solids,
Phosphate, Chloride, Chromium, Copper, Zinc, Arsenic,
Cadmium, Lead, Oil and Grease

Geothermal Temperature, pH, COD, Total Suspended Solids,

Chloride, Boron, Chromium, Zinc, Arsenic, Cadmium,
Mercury, Lead

35200 Manufacture of gas; Temperature, pH, COD, Total Suspended Solids, Nitrate,
distribution of gaseous Cyanide, Chloride, Chromium, Nickel, Zinc, Arsenic,
fuels through mains Cadmium, Mercury, Lead, Oil and Grease, Benzene,
Toulene, Ethylbenzene, Xylenes, Benzo(a)pyrene,
Phenol & Phenolic Substances

35300 Air conditioning supply Temperature, pH, COD, Ammonia, Nitrate, Phosphate,
and production of ice Sulfate, Chloride, Chromium, Zinc
(except steam
production)
 PSIC Industry Category
Code
G. Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles
452, 454 Maintenance and repair of
vehicles, their parts and
components (excluding
vulcanizing/tire related
preparations)
47300, 4661 Wholesale and retail sale of
automotive fuels
Significant Parameters
Color, pH, Total Suspended Solids,
Ammonia, Nitrate, Nickel,
Cadmium, Mercury, Lead, Oil and
Grease, Benzo(a)pyrene,
Surfactants
Total Suspended Solids, Oil and
Grease, Benzene, Toluene,
Ethylbenzene, Xylenes,
Benzo(a)pyrene
Effluent Standards
 Sec. 7.3 Effluent
Standards for BOD for
Strong Wastewater
For establishments with BOD equal to or
greater than 3000 mg/L and the receiving
water body is Class C, D, or SC or SD
Grace Period
Section 10.0 Grace Period
Section 11.0 Prohibitions
Section 11.0 Prohibitions
Section 11.0 Prohibitions
Section 11.0 Prohibitions
Section 11.0 Prohibitions
Discharge of sewage or
trade effluent are
prohibited or not
allowed to all protected
waters (Class AA and
SA)
Discharge Permits

Legal authorization granted by DENR

to discharge wastewater into the
environment
Include:
Quality/quantity of effluent
Compliance Schedule
Monitoring requirements
Who may apply for a wastewater
Discharge Permit:
ANY PERSON THAT SHALL
DISCHARGE IN ANY MANNER
WASTEWATER INTO THE
PHILIPPINE WATERS AND/OR
LAND SHALL SECURE A
WASTEWATER DISCHARGE
PERMIT
WASTEWATER CHARGE SYSTEM

Basis for payment to the

government for discharging
wastewater into the water bodies

Computed on the net waste load

PRIORITY POLLUTANTS:

A.) BOD:
For High organics or Biodegradable materials

B.) TSS:
For High organics or Non-biodegradable
materials
RA 9275 Clean Water Act of 2004
Rule 14 Wastewater Discharge Permit

 Specifies quantity and quality of effluents

 The validity of the required permit
Who may apply for Wastewater Discharge Permit?

 Any person that shall discharge in any manner

wastewater into Philippine waters/land
What are the requirements?
First time application
Engineer’s Report containing:

1. Vicinity map
identifying the street
address, location or
plant premise

2. The nature of
project/business
What are the requirements?
Engineer’s Report containing: cont…

3. Production capacity,
quantity or volume and the
generic name(s) of product(s)

4. The nature of applicant’s

wastewater and its
physical and chemical
composition
What are the requirements?
Engineer’s Report containing: cont…

5. Total
daily volume of discharge
of raw wastewater

6.Treatment process
and estimated
treatment efficiency
What are the requirements?
Engineer’s Report containing: cont…

7.Total daily volume of water

consumption and discharge of final
treated wastewater or effluent

8. Name of receiving body of

water and its official water
classification.

In case of land discharge,

the nearest receiving body
What are the requirements?
Engineer’s Report containing: cont…

9. Information
on flow
measurement equipment
and procedure

10.Pollution
prevention/Environme
ntal Management
System plan or
program
What are the requirements?
Engineer’s Report containing: cont…

11. DENR ID Number as

hazardous waste generator (if
applicable)

12. Statement of cost

incurred in the installation
and maintenance of
wastewater treatment
facility, if any
What are the requirements?
Engineer’s Report containing: cont…

13. Quality and quantity of

abstracted water

14. Copy of ECC or CNC, as

applicable
What are the requirements?
Renewal

1.Copies of the quarterly SMR for the

immediately preceding year;
2.A copy of the Certificate of Accreditation of
the PCO;
3.Official Receipts for the payments of
applicable Permit Fee and the Wastewater
Discharge Fee; and
4.Other document that may be required related
to land application

Failure to submit the necessary

requirements shall be sufficient ground for the
Processing of the Application

 The RO shall act on the application for

DP within thirty (30) working days from
receipt of all the requirements.
Permit Fee

Volumetric Rate of Amount annual fee

Discharge (pesos)
Zero Discharge 2.000.00  
Without With Heavy
 
Heavy Metals Metals
Below 10 m3/day 2,000.00 2,600.00
> 10m3/d - 30m3/d 2,200.00 2,800.00
> 30m3/d - 100m3/d 2,500.00 3,100.00
> 100m3/d - 150m3/d 2,700.00 3,300.00
> 150m3/d 3,300.00 3,900.00
Rule 13: Wastewater Charge System

 Implemented in all areas …

 Collection of wastewater discharge fees

from all sources of wastewater
discharges

 Includes, but not limited to, effluent

from wastewater treatment plant (WTP)
and sewage treatment plant (STP), and
discharges from water treatment
facilities.
Wastewater Discharge Fee Formula

WDF = Ln X R

Where:

R – Rate per kilogram (PhP/kg)

Fixed at P 5.00/kg for priority pollutant
parameter (i.e., BOD and TSS)

Ln – the net waste load (kg/year)

Wastewater Discharge Fee Formula

WDF = Ln X R

Where:

Ln – refers to the net waste load (kg/year)

Ln (BOD5/TSS) = {(Cf – Ca) (Qf x Nf)} x

0.001
Wastewater Discharge Fee Formula

WDF = Ln X R

Ln (BOD5/TSS) = {(Cf – Ca) (Qf x Nf)} x

0.001
Cf – Effluent concentration
Ca – Concentration of Abstracted Water
Qf – Discharge Rate (volumetric Rate)
Nf – Discharge Rate per year
Sample Discharge Permit Application

General Information

Employment and Operation

Information
Sources of Waster and
Wastewater Generation

Dwelling Units Information

Product Information

Water Pollution
Information
 Flow Meter Information

Information on the
Wastewater Treatment
System
 Vicinity Map

Signature of PCO and

CEO/President
Sample Discharge Permit
Fees shall be based on:
1. Economic incentives
2. Cost of administering WQMA
3. Damages caused by water
pollutants
4. Cost of rehabilitation
5. Type of pollution
6. Water body classification
Wastewater Recycled with Zero
Discharge

Industries that recycle their wastewater

without discharge into any water body
or land shall pay only the permit fee
Wastewater Charges in ECOZONE

shall be paid by the operator of the WTP

located within ECOZONES.

Industries not connected to the WTP shall be

liable to charge individually.
EFFLUENT QUALITY
MONITORING
• is the process of checking, evaluating or
investigating the quality of the effluent of
wastewater discharges from an industry,
establishment or facility.
•To ensure compliance by the industries and
commercial establishments with GES.
•Monitoring results are used as basis for regulatory
and control actions e.g.
1. Issuance of Discharge Permit
2. Issuance of Notice of Violation (NOV)
3. Conduct of Technical Conference
4. Cease and Desist Order (CDO)
5. Imposition of fines and penalties
Effluent Monitoring is also used to:

 Evaluate the effectiveness of effluent treatment and

control
 Identify potential environmental problems and evaluate
the need for remedial actions or mitigating measures
 Support permit revision and/ or renewal based on new
data
 Detect, characterize and report unplanned releases by the
facility or establishment
 Determine the impact to the receiving media (water body,
groundwater and land)
 Determine the effectiveness of the waste minimization/
cleaner technologies adopted by the facility.
GROUND FOR SUSPENSION

Gross violations and non-compliance of the

IRR and permit conditions
Deliberate submission of false information in
the application
Deliberate submission of false monitoring
data or report
Refusal to allow lawful inspection
Non-payment of wastewater discharge fee
EFFECT OF DISAPPROVAL, SUSPENSION OR
REVOCATION OF WASTEWATER DISCHARGE
PERMIT
 shall not grant any right or privilege to
discharge its wastewater into the
environment

 ground for CDO issuance

Fines and Penalties

Any person who commits any of the prohibited

acts or violates any provision of this Act

Fine Max. of P100T/ day of violation

-subject to the Philippine Adjudication Board
discretion
Gross Violation - Imprisonment - 6 to 10 years

 deliberate discharge of pollutants per RA 6969

 10 or more violations of any of the prohibited acts
w/in 24 mos.
 blatant disregard of PAB order
ROLE OF PCO
Wastewater minimization
Effluent standards
Stop water resource contamination
Inform, educate and communicate
Lead by example
EMB-WQMS