WATERBODIES FOR CLASSIFICATION

Water classification is the primary component in water quality management for which goals and
objectives of each of the waterbodies are met. Three activities are involved namely: (a)
establishment of waterbodies beneficial use; (b) identification of water quality indicators (or criteria
pollutants); and (c) water quality suitable for each use. In the Philippines, classification is a very
important component of water quality management since the application of effluent standards is
dependent on this classification.

Classification means the categorization of all water bodies taking into account the existing quality
of the body of water and most beneficial existing and future use of said bodies of water and lands
bordering them, such as for residential, agricultural, aquacultural, commercial, industrial,
navigational, recreational, wildlife conservation and aesthetic purposes, among others.

The following tables indicate the classification of waterbodies and their corresponding beneficial
usage:

Table 2. Water Body Classification and Usage of Freshwater.

CLASS INTENDED BENEFICIAL USE

Public Water Supply Class I – Intended primarily for waters having
watersheds, which are uninhabited and/or otherwise declared as
CLASS AA
protected areas, and which require only approved disinfection to meet the
latest PNSDW
Public Water Supply Class II – Intended as sources of water supply
CLASS A requiring conventional treatment (coagulation, sedimentation, filtration,
and disinfection) to meet the latest PNSDW
Recreational Water Class I – Intended for primary contact recreation
CLASS B
(bathing, swimming, etc.)
1. Fishery Water for the propagation and growth of fish and other aquatic
resources;
CLASS C
2. Recreational Water Class II – For boating, fishing, or similar activities;
3. For agriculture, irrigation, and livestock watering
CLASS D Navigable waters

Table 3. Water Body Classification and Usage of Marine Waters.

CLASS INTENDED BENEFICIAL USE

1. Protected Waters – Waters designated as national or local marine
parks, reserves, sanctuaries, and other areas established by law
(Presidential Proclamation 1801 and other existing laws), and/or declared
CLASS SA
as such by appropriate government agency, LGUs, etc.;
2. Fishery Water Class I – Suitable for shellfish harvesting for direct
human consumption
 1. Fishery Water Class II – Waters suitable for commercial propagation
of shellfish and intended as spawning areas for milkfish (Chanos chanos)
and similar species;
CLASS SB
2. Tourist Zones – For ecotourism and recreational activities;
3. Recreational Water Class I – Intended for primary contact recreation
(bathing, swimming, skin diving, etc.)
1. Fishery Water Class III – For the propagation and growth of fish and
other aquatic resources and intended for commercial and sustenance
fishing;
CLASS SC
2. Recreational Water Class II – For boating, fishing, or similar activities;
3. Marshy and/or mangrove areas declared as fish and wildlife
sanctuaries
CLASS SD Navigable waters

Beneficial use means the use of the environment or any element or segment thereof conducive
to the public or private welfare, safety, and health, and shall include, but not be limited to, the use
of water for domestic, municipal, irrigation, power generation, fisheries, livestock raising,
industrial, recreational and other purposes.

• Use of water for domestic purposes means the utilization of water for drinking, washing,
bathing, cooking or other household needs, home gardens, and watering of lawns or domestic
animals;
• Use of water for municipal purposes means the utilization of water for supplying water
requirements of the community;
• Use of water for irrigation means the utilization of water for producing crops;
• Use of water for power generation – means the utilization of water for producing electrical or
mechanical power;
• Use of water for fisheries means the utilization of water for the propagation of cultured fish as
a commercial enterprise;
• Use of water for livestock raising means the utilization of water for large herds or flocks of
animals raised as a commercial enterprise;
• Use of water for industrial purposes means the utilization of water in factories, industrial plants,
and mines, including the use of water as an ingredient of a finished product; and
• Use of water for recreational purposes means the utilization of water for swimming pools,
bathhouses, boating, water skiing, golf courses, and other similar facilities in resorts and other
places of recreation.

The new set of guidelines contained in DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2016-08, complies with
sections 19e and 19f of RA 9275. Section 19e provides that the DENR shall enforce, review and
revise within 12 months from the effectiveness of the Clean Water Act, water quality guidelines
after due consultation with the concerned stakeholder sectors. The table below presents the
general effluent standards as the guide for the decision-making of the designation of the
classification, according to DAO 2016-08 and DAO 2021-19.

Table 4. Water Quality Guidelines for Primary Parameters.

Waterbody 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
DO (min) mg/L 5 5 5 5 2 6 6 5 2
Fecal MPN/ 20 50 100 200 400 20 100 200 400
Coliform 100mL
Nitrate as mg/L 7 7 7 7 15 10 10 10 15
NO3-N
pH 6.5- 6.5- 6.5- 6.5- 6.0- 7.0- 7.0- 6.5- 6.0-
8.5 8.5 8.5 9.0 9.0 8.5 8.5 8.5 9.0
Phosphate mg/L 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.05 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.4
5 5 5 5
o
Temperatur C 26- 26- 26- 25- 25- 26- 26- 25- 25-
e 30 30 30 31 32 30 30 31 32
TSS mg/L 25 50 65 80 110 25 50 80 110

In 2022, EMB XII classified three (3) rivers (one major and 2 minor rivers) – Palimbang River
located in the Municipality of Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, Saub River located in the Municipality
of Maitum, Sarangani, and Kakal River in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat. Based on the guidelines
under DENR Administrative Order No. 2016-08, the current beneficial usage of the rivers, and the
conducted public hearing, Palimbang River was proposed as Class B while Saub River and Kakal
River were both proposed to be classified as Class C.