RA 9275 : THE PHILIPPINE CLEAN

WATER ACT OF 2004

 WATER
• Water is one of the most essential molecules on earth – life
cannot exist without it
• Water is a major component of all living things

• Important physiologically

• Important ecologically

• Human importance
`
CLEAN WATER ACT (RA 9275)
IRR (DAO 2005-10)
 Objective of RA 9275
1.) Develop and implement a
national program for the
protection, preservation,
and revival of the quality
of the country’s
fresh, brackish, and marine water resources.
2.) To protect the country’s
waterbodies from pollution
from land-based sources.

3.) To provide comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent and

minimize pollution through multi-sectoral and participatory approach
involving all stakeholders .
Philippine Clean Water Act (RA 9275)
titled "An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Water
Quality Management and for Other Purposes", also
known as the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004
(CWA), was signed by former President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo on March 22, 2004 and published
on April 21,2004. It took effect on May 6, 2004, with
its Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR)
contained in the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order
(A.O.) No. 2005-10.
 Section 3. Coverage of RA 9275
Water Quality Management in all water bodies
Primarily apply to abatement and control of pollution
from land-based sources
Enforcement of water quality standards, regulations and
penalties
 COVERAGE

 General Application - Water Quality Management

in all water bodies

 Primary Application - abatement & control of

pollution from land based sources

 Enforcement of WQ standards, regulations and

penalties – irrespective of source of pollution
Some of the key provisions of the Clean Water Act
include:
1. Setting water quality standards
2. Regulating discharge
3. Creating a monitoring and enforcement
system
4. Encouraging public participation
5. Providing for penalties and sanctations
Water Quality Management (WQM)

• generally involves the authorization of

discharges of dangerous substances for
which monitoring of discharges of effluents
to surface water is essential.
Water Quality Management Area (WQMA)
– sec 5

The Department, in coordination with

National Water Resources Board
(NWRB), shall designate certain areas as
water quality management areas using
appropriate physiographic units such as
watershed, river basins or water
resources regions.
Calao-Delinquente-Diadi River System WQMA (DAO
2015-13) (Region 2)
Upper Amburayan River System WQMA
(DAO 2018-02) (CAR)
Balili River WQMA
(DAO 2013-05) (CAR)
Naguilian River System WQMA
(DAO 2016-18) (Region 1)
Bued River System WQMA
(DAO 2016-03) (CAR)
MaNaTuTi River System WQMA
(DAO 2018-10) (NCR)
Imus – Ylang Ylang –
Rio Grande Rivers WQMA
(DAO 2013-02) (Region 4A)
Cañas-Maalimango Rivers WQMA
(DAO 2016-19) (Region 4A)
Areas within LLDA jurisdiction
(RA 9275)
Calapan River WQMA
(DAO 2013-03) (Region 4B)
Sabang Bay WQMA
(DAO 2016-06)
(Region 4B)
Coron Bay WQMA
(DAO 2016-05) (Region 4B)
Jalaur River System
(DAO 2014-08) (Region 6)
Tigum-Aganan Watershed
(DAO 2006-18) (Region 6)
Tagoloan River Basin WQMA
(DAO 2016-16) (Region
10)
Tumaga River WQMA
(DAO 2013-01) (Region 9)
Ayala River WQMA
(DAO 2016-15) (Region 9)
Davao River WQMA
(DAO 2013-04) (Region 11)
Lake Sebu WQMA
(DAO 2016-14) (Region 12)
Designated WQMAs (37) Pinacanauan de Tuguegarao
River WQMA (DAO 2013-06)
(Region 2)
Lower Amburayan River System WQMA
(DAO 2018-03) (Region 1)
Sinocalan-Dagupan RS WQMA
(DAO 2011-14) (Region 1)
Marilao-Meycauayan-
Obando River System
WQMA
(DAO 2008-07) (Region 3)
San Juan River System
WQMA (DAO 2012-04) (NCR)
Las Pinas-Paranaque
River System WQMA
(DAO 2018-12) (NCR)
Iyam-Dumacaa River System
WQMA (DAO 2018-11) (Region 4A)
Naga River Watershed WQMA
(DAO 2016-04) (Region 5)
Lake Buhi Watershed WQMA
(DAO 2013-16) (Region 5)
Ormoc Bay and its
Associated Watersheds WQMA
(DAO 2013-21)
(Region 8)
Dupong, Matlang and Merida WQMA
(DAO 2018-04) (Region 8)
Butuanon River Watershed
(DAO 2014-05) (Region
7)
Iloilo-Batiano RS WQMA
(DAO 2009-11) (Region 6)
Cagayan de Oro River Basin and Adjacent Rivers
(DAO 2013-18) (Region 10)
Taguibo River WQMA
(DAO 2012-11) (Region 13)
Talomo River WQMA
(DAO 2016-17) (Region 11)
Silway River WQMA
(DAO 2010-10) (Region 12)
Sarangani Bay WQMA
(DAO 2009-12) (Region 12)
Purpose of Water Quality Management Area

• To identify and address sources of pollution

that are impacting water quality in a
particular area.

• This may include sources of pollution such

as:
i. Agricultural runoff
ii. Urban waterstorm
iii. Sewage treatment plants
iv. Industrial discharges
Section 22. Linkage Mechanism

• DENR - Lead Government Agency

• PCG - enforce water quality standards in marine waters,

specifically offshore sources
• DPWH - provide sewage and sanitation facilities

• DA - prepare guidelines for safe reuse of wastewater for

agricultural usage and control and abatement of pollution from
agri/aquacultural activities. (AO 2007 -26)
Section 22. Linkage Mechanism

• DOH – set, revise, enforce drinking water quality standards

• DOST – evaluate, verify, develop and disseminate pollution

prevention and cleaner production technology

• DepED, CHED, DILG, and PIA – prepare and implement a

comprehensive and continuing public education and information
program
 Section 27. Prohibited Acts of
RA 9275
a.discharging or depositing any water pollutant to the water body
which could cause water pollution, or impede natural flow in the
water body

b.discharging, injecting or allowing

to enter into the soil, anything
that would pollute groundwater
c.operating facilities that
discharges regulated water
pollutants without the required
permits

d.disposal of potentially
infectious medical waste
into sea by vessels

e.unauthorized transport or
dumping into waters of
sewage sludge or solid waste
f.transport, dumping or discharge
of prohibited chemicals,
substances or pollutants listed
under RA 6969 (toxic chemicals, hazardous – such as used
oil and nuclear waste control act)
g.discharging regulated water pollutants without the valid
required discharge permit
h.refusal to allow entry, inspection and monitoring as well
as access to reports and records
i.refusal or failure to submit reports and/or
designate Pollution Control Officer

j.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
k.operate facilities that discharge or allow to seep,
willfully or through grave negligence, prohibited
chemicals, substances, or pollutants listed under RA
6969, into water bodies

l.undertake activities or development and expansion

of projects, or operating wastewater
treatment/sewerage facilities in violation of PD 1586
and its IRR
Section 28. Fines, Damages and Penalties

Fine

P10-200T/ day of violation

subject to the PAB discretion
 Section 28. Fines, Damages and Penalties

Gross Violation
Imprisonment - 6 to 10 years
Fine - P 0.5-3M / day
5 or more violations of any of the prohibited acts within 2 years
deliberate discharge of pollutants per RA 6969
blatant disregard of PAB order
Section 5. Classification of Water Bodies

The classification of freshwater and marine waters were

generally adopted from DAO 1990-34 and DAO 1997-23
respectively - with some changes, including the following:

 Change of classification of waters used for

agriculture, irrigation, and livestock watering from Class D to
Class C
 Removal of Industrial Water Supply from Class C, Class D,
and Class SD
 Defining Class D and SD for navigable waters
Table 1. Water Body Classification and
Usage of Freshwater
Classification Intended Beneficial Use

Class AA Public Water Supply Class I – Intended primarily for waters having watersheds, which
are uninhabited and/or otherwise declared as protected areas, and which require only
approved disinfection to meet the latest PNSDW

Class A Public Water Supply Class II – Intended as sources of water supply requiring
conventional treatment (coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection) to
meet the latest PNSDW

Class B Recreational Water Class I – Intended for primary contact recreation (bathing,
swimming, etc.)
Class C 1. Fishery Water for the propagation and growth of fish and other aquatic resources
2. Recreational Water Class II – For boating, fishing, or similar activities
3. For agriculture, irrigation, and livestock watering

Class D Navigable waters

Note: For unclassified water bodies, classification shall be based on the beneficial use as determined by the
Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).
 Table 2. Water Body Classification and Usage of Marine Waters

Classification Intended Beneficial Use

Class SA 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 as such by appropriate government
agency, LGUs, etc.
2. Fishery Water Class I – Suitable for shellfish harvesting for direct human
consumption
Class SB 1. Fishery Water Class II – Waters suitable for commercial propagation of shellfish
and intended as spawning areas for milkfish (Chanos chanos) and similar species
2. Tourist Zones – For ecotourism and recreational activities
3. Recreational Water Class I – Intended for primary contact recreation (bathing,
swimming, skin diving, etc.)
Class SC 1. Fishery Water Class III – For the propagation and growth of fish and other aquatic
resources and intended for commercial and sustenance fishing
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

Note: For unclassified water bodies, classification shall be based on the beneficial use as determined by EMB.
Thank you