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About Clean Water Act PDF
About Clean Water Act PDF
About Clean Water Act PDF
As early as 1996, monitoring of the country’s rivers showed that only 51% of the
classified rivers still met the standards for their most beneficial use. The rest were
already polluted from domestic, industrial and agricultural sources.
Most studies point to the fact that domestic wastewater is the principal cause of
organic pollution (at 48%) of our water bodies. Yet, only 3% of investments in water
supply and sanitation were going to sanitation and sewage treatment.
A recent World Bank report pointed out that Metro Manila was second to the lowest
in sewer connections among major cities in Asia and less than 7% compared to 20%
for Katmandu, Nepal and 30% for Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Thirty-one percent (31%) of all illnesses in the country are attributed to polluted
waters. Clearly, to ensure access to clean water for all Filipinos, it was imperative
that government put together a comprehensive strategy to protect water quality.
The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (Republic Act No. 9275) aims to protect the
country’s water bodies from pollution from land-based sources (industries and
commercial establishments, agriculture and community/household activities). It
provides for a comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent and minimize
pollution through a multi-sectoral and participatory approach involving all the
stakeholders.
Management of water quality will either be based on watershed, river basin or water
resources region. Water quality management areas with similar hydrological,
hydrogeological, meteorological or geographic conditions which affect the reaction
and diffusion of pollutants in water bodies are to be designated by the DENR in
coordination with the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).
The Governing Boards will formulate strategies to coordinate policies necessary for
the effective implementation of this Act. They will create a multi-sectoral group to
establish and effect water quality surveillance and monitoring.
All owners or operators of facilities that discharge wastewater are required to get a
permit to discharge from the DENR or the Laguna Lake Development Authority.
Existing industries without any permit are given 12 months from the effectivity of the
implementing rules and regulations (IRR) promulgated pursuant to this Act to secure
a permit to discharge.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in coordination with local
government units will prepare a national program on sewage and septage
management not later than 12 months from effectivity of this Act. A priority list will
likewise be prepared which will be the basis for the allotment of funds on an annual
basis by the national government for the construction and rehabilitation of required
facilities.
On the other hand, LGUs are to provide the land including road right of the way for
the construction of sewage and/or septage treatment facilities and raise funds for the
operations and maintenance of said facilities.
The Department of Health (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 centralized sewage treatment system. The MWSS
and other agencies mandated to provide water supply and sewerage facilities are
required to connect existing sewage lines, subject to the payment of sewerage
service charges/fees within five years following effectivity of this Act.
All sources of sewage and septage are required to comply with the law.
Anyone discharging wastewater into a water body will have to pay a wastewater
charge. This economic instrument which will be developed in consultation with all
concerned stakeholders is expected to encourage investments in cleaner production
and pollution control technologies to reduce the amount of pollutants generated and
discharged.
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 also be given to LGUs, water districts, enterprise, private entities and individuals
who develop and undertake outstanding and innovative projects in water quality
management.
What safeguards are provided for?
The following are among the fines and penalties for violators of this Act and its IRR:
Upon the recommendation of the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB), anyone who
commits prohibited acts such as discharging untreated wastewater into any water
body will be fined for every day of violation, the amount of not less than Php 10,000
but not more than Php 200,000.
In cases of gross violation, a fine of not less than Php 500,000 but not more than
Php 3,000,000 will be imposed for each day of violation. Criminal charges may also
be filed.
The DENR is the primary government agency responsible for the implementation and
enforcement of this Act, with the support of other government organizations, local
government units, non -government organizations and the private sector.
Towards this end, the DENR will review and set affluent standards, review and
enforce water quality guidelines, classify groundwater sources and prepare a national
groundwater vulnerability map, classify or reclassify water bodies, establish
internationally accepted procedures for sampling and analysis, prepare an integrated
water quality management framework and subsequently prepare 10-year
management plans for each water management area.
• The Philippine Coast Guard shall enforce water quality standards in marine waters,
specifically from offshore sources.
• The Department of Public Works and Highways through its attached agencies shall
provide sewerage and sanitation facilities, and the efficient and safe collection,
treatment and disposal of sewage within their area of jurisdiction.
• The Department of Agriculture 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 aquaculture activities.
• The Department of Health shall set, revise and enforce drinking water quality
standards.
• The Department of Science and Technology shall evaluate, verify, develop and
disseminate pollution prevention and cleaner production technologies.
• The Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Department of
Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine Information Agency shall prepare
and implement a comprehensive and continuing public education and information
program.