University of the Philippines

Diliman, Quezon City

Drinking Water Treatment

Plant using Laguna de Bay as
Raw Water Source
Case Study

Environmental Engineering Laboratory 1 (EnE 205)

Group 6:
Jessica M. Junio
Maria Sheila C. Decena
Andrian Cris Q. Cagas
1. INTRODUCTION

Laguna Lake (or, Laguna de Bay) is the largest freshwater lake in the Philippines and the third-largest in Southeast
Asia. With a surface area of about 900 km 2, an average depth of about 2.5 meters (8 ft. 2 in) and an elevation of
about 1 meter (3 ft. 3 in) above sea level, the lake is considered one of the most important inland bodies of water
in the Philippines. This almost heart-shaped lake located east of Metro Manila between the provinces of Laguna to
the south and Rizal to the north, has four (4) bays, namely: West bay, Central bay, East bay and South bay on its
southernmost portion.

Fig. 1: Map of Laguna de Bay Fig. 2: Laguna de Bay Map and Quick facts

The lake is a valuable source of livelihoods for the fishery and agricultural sector. A multi-use reserve used as
source of industrial cooling water, hydroelectric power generation and transport route for oil products and
lakeshore dwellers. Other uses of the lake include recreation, food support for the growing duck industry, and a
"virtual" cistern for domestic, agricultural and industrial effluents.
The water quality of Laguna de Bay, however, has significantly deteriorated due to countless sources (contributors).
Uncontrolled population growth, deforestation, land conversion, intense fisheries, resources allocation and rapid
course of urbanization and industrialization have produced massive change in Laguna de Bay and its environs.
Those major sources of contamination and impacts of development activities in Laguna de Bay are unceasingly
waning its water quality condition.
Laguna de Bay was classified according to Water Usage and Classification for Freshwater System as Class C, which
is suitable for fishery– propagation and growth of fish and other aquatic resources. However, with the growing
population in the country, posing greater demand for (potable) water source, the lake is likely to be a primary
source of domestic water supply (i.e. drinking water) for the Laguna de Bay region, especially Metropolitan Manila.
The potential use of Laguna de Bay as a water supply source for the people in the Laguna de Bay region, however,
requires the upgrading of its water quality from Class C to Class A.

2. PURPOSE

This case/ feasibility study was conducted for the following objectives:
2.1 To evaluate the water quality condition of the lake through specific sampling strategy, duration and interval
and equipment used.
2.2 To identify relevant water quality parameters to be measured in assessing the suitability of Laguna de Bay as
potable water source.
2.3 To ensure water drawn from Laguna Lake is safe for drinking and in conformance with the criteria set by the
National Drinking Water Standards.

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3. METHODOLOGY

To obtain impartial assessment on the water quality of Laguna Lake, samples are taken from locations that are
representative of the different sources from which water is obtained by the public or enters the system. Specific
manner, frequency and interval of sampling are utilized.

3.1 Location of Sampling points

Sampling stations at various sections of the river and its tributaries were already established and selected to
assess the water quality condition of the lake as a whole.

Fig. 3a: Sampling Stations in Laguna de Bay Fig. 3b: Sampling Stations in Laguna de Bay

3.2 Sampling Frequency

The frequency of sampling was once a month, taking into consideration the two seasons – dry and wet
season, for the purpose of determining seasonal variations of the water quality in terms of biological, chemical
and bacteriological parameters.

3.3 Sampling Method

Automatic water samplers shall be used to collect samples from the lake stations (water source) to provide
accurate water-quality data. Automatic samplers can eliminate human errors in manual sampling, can reduce
labor costs and may provide the means for more frequent sampling.

Grab samples shall be collected at a specific spot at each station of the lake over a short period of time not to
exceed fifteen minutes. The sample shall be representative of the lake water conditions at the time of sample
collection. The sample volume depends on the type and number of analyses to be performed.

Parameter Volume of sample

Microbiological Quality > 100 mL
Chemical and Physical Quality 3 Liters
Table 1. Volume of sample per quality analysis

For chemical analysis, water samples are placed in the designated container with label and preserved in the cooler
with ice. Microbiological samples collected by grab method shall be in sterilized bottles and preserved with ice in a
separate cooler. Use of dry ice should be avoided because it will freeze samples and may cause glass containers to
break. All samples collected shall be brought to the Environmental Laboratory and Research Division and
submitted for analysis.

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4. PARAMETERS MEASURED

To ensure Laguna Lake water supply to be acceptable for drinking – free form harmful chemicals and variety of
microbial contaminants, the following parameters are measured:

4.1 Standard Values for Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Quality for Acceptability Aspects

Physico-Chemical Maximum Microbiological Maximum

Parameters Level (mg/L) Or Parameters Level (mg/L)
Characteristic
Arsenic 0.05 Total coliform < 1.1 MPN/ 100 mL
Cadmium 0.003 Fecal coliform < 1.1 MPN/ 100 mL
Lead 0.01 Heterotrophic Plate Count <500 CFU / mL
Nitrate 50
Table 3. Standard Values for Microbiological Quality
Benzene 0.01
Apparent 10 color units
Color
True 5 color units
Turbidity 5 NTU

Iron 1.0
pH 6.5 – 8.5
5–7
for product water that
undergone
reverse osmosis or
distillation process
Manganese 0.4
Chloride 250.0
Sulfate 250
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 500
<10
for product water that
undergone
reverse osmosis or
distillation process
Table 2. Standard Values for Physico-Chemical Quality

4.2 Guideline for water quality (freshwater and marine) as per DENR DAO 2016-08

PARAMETER UNIT CLASS A CLASS C

BOD mg/ L 3 7
Chloride mg/ L 250 350
Color TCU 350 75
Dissolved Oxygen (minimum) mg/ L 5 5
Fecal Coliform <1.1 200
Nitrate mg/ L 7 7
pH (range) 6.5-8.5 6.5-9.0
Phosphate mg/ L 0.5 0.5
Temperature C 26-30 25-31
Total Suspended Solids mg/ L 50 80
Table 4. Water Quality Guidelines for Primary Parameters

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 PARAMETER UNIT CLASS A CLASS C
Ammonia mg/L 0.05 0.05
Boron mg/L 0.5 0.75
Fluoride mg/L 1 1
Selenium mg/L 0.01 0.02
Sulfate mg/L 250 275
Table 5 - Water Quality Guidelines for Secondary Parameters - Inorganics

PARAMETER UNIT CLASS A CLASS C

Arsenic (i) mg/L 0.01 0.02
Baruim 7 3
Cadmium (i) mg/L 0.003 0.005
Chromium (i) (hexavalent) mg/L 0.01 0.01
Copper as Dissolved Copper mg/L 0.02 0.02
Iron mg/L 1 1.5
Lead mg/L 0.01 0.05
Manganese mg/L 0.2 0.2
Mercury mg/L 0.001 0.002
Nickel mg/L 0.02 0.2
Zinc mg/L 2 2
Table 6 - Water Quality Guidelines for Secondary Parameters - Metals

5. CONCLUSION

The Water Quality Guidelines set by DENR (DAO No. 2016-08), provide us a clear reference in monitoring and
determining the classification and beneficial use of a specific water source based on the values obtained from its
physico-chemical and microbiological quality parameters/ analyses.
Laguna de Bay, being classified as Class C water suitable for growing fishes and other aquatic resources, requires
upgrading and further monitoring and treatment process for it to be categorized as resource suitable (both health
and acceptability considerations) for drinking and cooking purposes.
Sampling and testing of sample, first and foremost, must be taken into great consideration, to obtain an impartial
result and to properly assess and classified a particular water source. Moreover, in the design of treatment facility,
ability of the system to provide good and constant quality of the treated water in terms of particle (chemical) and
microbial removal must be highly considered. The treatment facility and technology to be used has the ability to
remove particulate and microbial contaminants. It must be capable of rejecting most of the organic compounds,
such as pesticides, herbicides, color, total organic carbon (TOC), and disinfection by-products (DBP) precursors
that are present in the feed water, hence, making a class c water suitable only for fishes to a source acceptable for
human consumption.

6. REFERENCE

6.1 http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/2edvol3d.pdf
6.2 http://www.llda.gov.ph/dox/waterqualityrpt/rivers/StaCruz.pdf
6.3 Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 21st Edition. 2005. APHA, AWWA, WEF.
6.4 http://www.wepa-db.net/policies/law/philippines/dao34_1990.htm
6.5 http://server2.denr.gov.ph/uploads/rmdd/dao-2016-08.pdf

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