MODULE 5:

Lesson 4

WATER
WATER SANITATION
WATERSANITATION
SANITATION AND
AND
AND
CONSERVATION
CONSERVATION
CONSERVATION
PRESENTED BY:
CERTEZA, JASMINE ERICA U.
 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.
WHAT IS THE CLEAN WATER ACT?

• 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 .
 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT

• How will water quality be managed?

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).
• Who will manage these areas?
Management will be localized. Multi-sectoral governing boards will
be established to manage water quality issues within their jurisdiction.

• Who are the members of the Governing Boards?

Governing Boards shall be composed of representatives of mayors
and governors as well as local government units, representatives of relevant
national government agencies, duly registered non-government
organizations, the concerned water utility sector and the business sector.
• What are the functions of the Governing Boards?
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.

• How will discharges of wastewater be controlled?

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.
• How will domestic wastewater be addressed?
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.
• How will the discharge of wastewater be discouraged?
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. Effluent trading
per management area will also be allowed.
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?
All possible dischargers are required to put up an environmental
guarantee fund (EGF) as part of their environmental management plan. The
EGF will finance the conservation of watersheds and aquifers, and the needs
of emergency response, clean up or rehabilitation.
 WHAT ARE THE PROHIBITED ACTS UNDER
R.A. 9275?
Among others, the Act prohibits the following:
1. Discharging or depositing any water pollutant to the water body, or such
which will impede natural flow in the water body.
2. Discharging, injecting or allowing to enter into the soil, anything that
would pollute groundwater.
3. Operating facilities that discharge regulated water pollutants without the
valid required permits.
4. Disposal of potentially infectious medical waste into sea by vessels.
5. Unauthorized transport or dumping into waters of sewage sludge or solid
waste.
6. Transport, dumping or discharge of prohibited chemicals, substances or
pollutants listed under Toxic Chemicals, Hazardous and Nuclear.
7. Wastes Control Act (Republic.Act No. 6969).
8. Discharging regulated water pollutants without the valid required
discharge permit pursuant to this Act.
9. Noncompliance of the LGU with the Water Quality Framework and
Management Area Action Plan.
10. Refusal to allow entry, inspection and monitoring as well as access to
reports and records by the DENR in accordance with this Act.
11. Refusal or failure to submit reports and/or designate pollution control
officers whenever required by the DENR in accordance with this Act.
12. Directly using booster pumps in the distribution system or tampering
with the water supply in such a way to alter or impair the water quality.
13. Operate facilities that discharge or allow to seep, willfully or through
grave negligence, prohibited chemicals, substances, or pollutants listed
under
R.A. No. 6969, into water bodies.
14. Undertake activities or development and expansion of projects, or
operating wastewater treatment/sewerage facilities in violation of P.D.1586
and its IRR.
• What are the fines and penalties imposed on polluters?
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. Failure to undertake clean-up operations willfully shall be punished by
imprisonment of not less than two years and not more than four years. This also includes a
fine of not less than Php 50,000 and not more than Php 100,000 per day of violation. Failure
or refusal to clean up which results in serious injury or loss of life or lead to irreversible
water contamination of surface, ground, coastal and marine water shall be punished with
imprisonment of not less than 6 years and 1 day and not more than 12 years and a fine of Php
500,000/day for each day the contamination or omission continues.
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.
• 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, 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 roles of other key government agencies are:
• 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 Department of Interior and Local Government, and the
Philippine Information Agency shall prepare and implement a
comprehensive and continuing public education and Interior and Local
Government, and the Philippine Information Agency shall prepare and
implement a comprehensive and continuing public education and
information program.

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).
Thank
You!