LAWS GOVERNING SLUDGE

DISPOSAL AS SOIL
CONDITIONER
JOHN CEAZAR L ENZON
Section 3 of R.A. 9275
Rule 3.1 Applicability of standards
In addition to regulating pollution of water bodies, DENR shall
formulate and apply standards for the transport and disposal of
effluent, sewage and septage offsite, whether offshore or on land as
well as disposal of individual wastewater on land. The Department of
Agriculture(DA) shall develop guidelines for re-use of wastewater for
irrigation purposes or as soil conditioner or fertilizer, provided that the
discharge of effluents on land shall comply with conditions provided
under Rule 14.6 herein.
Rule 14.6 of R.A. 9275
Rule 14.6 Requirements for the Approval and Issuance of a Wastewater Discharge
Permit for Discharge of Effluents for Agricultural Purposes
The following conditions shall be met before such permit is issued:
a) Certified true copy of land ownership or notarized copy of agreement between the
owner of the land where the effluent is to be applied and the
discharger/permittee.
b) The wastewater that shall be used for land application shall not contain toxic or
hazardous substances (as defined in RA 6969).
c) No wastewater applied for agricultural purposes shall directly or indirectly seep or
drain into groundwater or nearby surface waters which will affect the quality of
such ground and/or surface water
Rule 14.6 of R.A. 9275
d) A certification from the Department of Agriculture (DA) stating that
the quantity, quality and distribution methodology of application
are suited for agricultural purposes shall be submitted
e) Land application shall be used only during periods of low surface
water flow to enhance loading limits compliance.
f) Submission of a baseline groundwater quality data and self-
monitoring report within the discharge areas, and installation of at
least one groundwater monitoring well which shall be drilled in
each dominant direction of groundwater movement.
Rule 14.6 of R.A. 9275
g) Submission of Emergency Plan which shall respond to
emergencies that can prevent or minimize damage to equipment,
land, groundwater, etc., and/or public health.
h) The plan shall highlight the design considerations, systems
operation, treatment/ monitoring of soil, crops, effluent and
groundwater before/after irrigation. Such requirements shall be in
addition to section 14.2