Lesson 8

WATER USE and

MANAGEMENT
Topics
Water for the people

Water Pollution

Water quality restoration

Objective

Understand the provisions

Develop a comprehensive
and implications of
understanding of water-
Philippine Clean Water Act
related concepts.
(RA 9275).

Create awareness of
Understand the importance
bioremediation as a
of preserving and protecting
potential solution for
water resources.
addressing pollution.
Water for
the
people
Topic 1
How is water used in different sectors?
Agriculture is the largest consumer of water globally. Water is used for irrigation to support
crop growth, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. It is essential for maintaining
agricultural productivity and ensuring food security.

Domestic and Municipal: Water is used for household purposes such as drinking, cooking,
bathing, cleaning, and sanitation. Municipal water supplies also provide water for public
parks, swimming pools, and firefighting.

Industrial: Industries rely on water for numerous processes, including manufacturing,

cooling, cleaning, and transportation. Water is used in sectors such as power generation,
chemical production, mining, paper and pulp manufacturing, and textile production.
Surface water

Surface water refers to any water that is visible on the Earth's surface, such as in rivers, lakes,
reservoirs, ponds, and streams.

Surface water primarily originates from precipitation, such as rainfall and snowfall. When precipitation exceeds
the capacity of the ground to absorb it, the excess water flows over the land surface, forming streams and
ultimately contributing to larger bodies of surface water.

Climate change can have significant impacts on surface water resources. It can alter precipitation patterns,
leading to changes in the availability and distribution of surface water. Extreme weather events, such as floods
and droughts, can become more frequent and severe, affecting surface water availability and quality.

Surface water is a primary source of freshwater for drinking, agriculture, and

industry. Rivers and streams are vital for freshwater supply.
Groundwater
• Groundwater refers to the water
stored beneath the Earth's surface
in underground aquifers.
• Groundwater is a vital source of
freshwater for human consumption,
agriculture, and industry. It serves
as a reliable and relatively stable
water supply, especially during
droughts when surface water
sources may be limited.
 • Groundwater is formed when precipitation infiltrates
Groundwater into the soil and percolates downward, filling the
Formation and spaces between soil particles and fractures in rocks.
Storage • It accumulates in underground aquifers, which are
layers of porous rock, gravel, or sand that can hold
and transmit water.
Aquifer Types
• Unconfined (or water table)
aquifers are near the surface and
are directly influenced by
precipitation and surface water
bodies.
• Confined (or artesian) aquifers
are deeper and are sandwiched
between impermeable layers,
which restrict the vertical
movement of water.
Groundwater
Movement
• Groundwater stored in aquifers moves
through them in response to gravity
and hydraulic pressure gradients.
• The movement of groundwater is
relatively slow, ranging from meters to
kilometers per year.
• It can discharge into surface water
bodies, such as rivers and lakes, or be
extracted through wells for various
purposes.
Challenges and Concerns

Contamination of groundwater from industrial activities, agriculture, and

improper disposal of waste can render it unfit for use.

Climate change impacts, such as altered precipitation patterns and

increased temperatures, can affect groundwater recharge and availability.

Over-extraction of groundwater can lead to the depletion of aquifers,

causing land subsidence and reduced water availability.
Land subsidence and groundwater extraction
• Land subsidence refers to the sinking or settling of the Earth's surface, usually caused by the
compaction of underlying soil or the collapse of underground structures.
• When groundwater is extracted from aquifers at a rate that exceeds the natural recharge rate, it
creates a significant imbalance in the aquifer system. This overexploitation leads to a decline in
groundwater levels.
• When groundwater levels decline due to excessive pumping, the water pressure that supports
the sediments decreases. This loss of water pressure allows the aquifer sediments to compress
and settle, leading to land subsidence.
• There is often a time lag between the start of groundwater pumping and the onset of land
subsidence. This delay is due to the slow process of groundwater flow and the time it takes for
aquifer sediments to compact and settle.
• In some cases, land subsidence caused by excessive groundwater extraction can be permanent.
Even if groundwater levels are later replenished, the compacted sediments may not fully
recover their original volume, leading to a permanent loss of land elevation.
Groundwater and
Surface Water
Interaction
• Groundwater and surface
water are interconnected.
• Groundwater discharges
into surface water bodies,
maintaining their flow
during dry periods.
• Surface water bodies can
recharge groundwater
through infiltration.
How impervious materials affect the
groundwater?
• Impervious materials refer to surfaces that do not allow water to pass through,
such as concrete, asphalt, roofs, and compacted soils.
1. Reduced Infiltration: Impervious surfaces prevent rainfall from infiltrating into
the ground. Instead of seeping into the soil and replenishing groundwater, the
water rapidly runs off the surface and enters storm drains, sewers, or nearby
surface water bodies. This reduces the amount of water available for
groundwater recharge.
2. Increased Surface Runoff: Impervious materials contribute to increased
surface runoff. When rainwater cannot penetrate the ground, it flows over the
impervious surfaces, accumulating in larger quantities and at higher velocities.
This can lead to increased erosion, flash floods, and damage to downstream
areas.
How impervious materials affect the
groundwater?
3. Altered Water Balance: The presence of impervious materials disrupts the natural water balance.
Instead of water being slowly absorbed into the ground and gradually replenishing groundwater, it
is quickly directed away from the area. This can result in reduced groundwater recharge and lower
water levels in nearby wells and aquifers.
4. Urban Heat Island Effect: Impervious materials, particularly in urban areas, can contribute to the
urban heat island effect. These surfaces absorb and retain heat, raising the temperature of the
surrounding environment. Higher temperatures can increase evaporation rates and further reduce
the amount of water available for groundwater recharge.
5. Groundwater Contamination: Impervious materials can also contribute to groundwater
contamination. When rainwater flows over impervious surfaces, it can pick up pollutants, such as
oils, chemicals, fertilizers, and sediment. This contaminated runoff can then enter storm drains or
directly infiltrate into nearby water bodies, potentially impacting groundwater quality.
 • Green Infrastructure: Incorporating green infrastructure
practices, such as permeable pavements, rain gardens, bioswales,

Mitigating
and vegetated strips, can help promote infiltration and slow down
runoff. These features allow water to percolate into the ground,
reducing the amount of surface runoff and facilitating

the negative
groundwater recharge.
• Stormwater Management: Implementing effective stormwater
management strategies, such as retention ponds, detention

impacts of basins, and constructed wetlands, can help capture and treat
stormwater runoff before it enters water bodies or drainage
systems. These practices allow for sedimentation, filtration, and
impervious natural processes to occur, reducing pollutant loads and
protecting groundwater quality.

materials on • Urban Planning: Proper urban planning can incorporate strategies

to minimize impervious surfaces, such as encouraging green
spaces, promoting compact development, and implementing

groundwater sustainable drainage systems. By reducing the extent of

impervious materials, the natural connection between rainfall
and groundwater can be restored.
Water scarcity
• Water scarcity refers to a situation where the
demand for water exceeds the available supply in a
particular region or for a specific period. It occurs
when there is insufficient water to meet the needs of
various sectors, including domestic, industrial, and
agricultural activities.
Causes of Water Scarcity
Water scarcity can be caused by a combination of natural factors and
human activities.
• Natural causes include droughts, arid or semi-arid climates, and
changes in precipitation patterns.
• Human causes include overpopulation, over-extraction of
groundwater, pollution of water sources, inefficient water
management practices, and climate change impacts.
Impacts of Water Scarcity
• It can lead to inadequate access to safe drinking water, poor
sanitation, and hygiene-related diseases.
• In agriculture, water scarcity can reduce crop yields, impact food
production, and increase food prices.
Mitigation and Adaptation Measures
• Improving water management practices
• Promoting water conservation and efficiency
• Investing in water infrastructure
• Implementing rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling
systems, adopting sustainable agricultural practices
• Raising awareness about the importance of water conservation.
Water pollution
Water pollution
• Water pollution refers to the contamination of water bodies, such as
rivers, lakes, groundwater, and oceans, by harmful substances or
pollutants. It can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems,
human health, and various water-dependent activities.
• Water pollution can originate from various sources, including
industrial activities, agriculture, urban runoff, sewage and wastewater
discharge, mining operations, oil spills, and improper waste disposal.
Pollutants can include chemicals, heavy metals, pathogens, nutrients
(such as nitrogen and phosphorus), sediments, and oil and petroleum
products.
Types of Water Pollution
• Nutrient Pollution: Excessive amounts of nutrients, mainly nitrogen
and phosphorus, can lead to eutrophication. This process causes
excessive algal growth, oxygen depletion, and harm to aquatic life.
• Chemical Pollution: Chemical pollutants, including pesticides,
industrial chemicals, heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals, can
contaminate water bodies and pose risks to human health and
ecosystems.
• Oil Spills: Accidental or intentional oil spills from ships, pipelines, or
oil rigs can result in severe water pollution, harming marine life and
coastal ecosystems.
Environmental and Ecological Impacts:
Water pollution has significant environmental impacts.
• It can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, leading to the loss of biodiversity,
habitat degradation, and even species extinction.
• Pollutants can accumulate in the food chain, causing
biomagnification, where the concentration of toxins increases as it
moves up the food web.
Human Health Effects
Water pollution poses risks to human health, primarily through the
consumption or contact with contaminated water. Contaminants, such
as pathogens (bacteria, viruses, and parasites), toxic chemicals, and
heavy metals, can cause waterborne diseases, gastrointestinal illnesses,
skin infections, reproductive issues, and even cancer.
Economic and Social Consequences
Water pollution can have significant economic and social ramifications.
It can lead to the loss of fisheries, tourism revenue, and livelihoods
dependent on clean water resources.
The cost of treating polluted water for drinking purposes or cleaning up
contaminated sites can be substantial.
Mitigation and Prevention
• Implementing and enforcing water quality standards and regulations
• Improving wastewater treatment systems
• Promoting sustainable agricultural practices
• Adopting cleaner production methods in industries
• Implementing effective waste management strategies
• Raising awareness about the importance of water conservation and
pollution prevention
Water quality
restoration
Bioremediation
• Bioremediation is a process that uses biological organisms, such as
bacteria, fungi, and plants, to degrade or remove pollutants from
contaminated environments, including water bodies. It is an
environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach for treating
water pollution.
1. Microbial
Bioremediatio
n
• Microorganisms, especially
bacteria and fungi, can break
down and metabolizing various
pollutants in water. These
microorganisms can degrade
organic contaminants, such as oil,
pesticides, solvents, and industrial
chemicals.
• Microbial bioremediation can
occur naturally or be enhanced
through the addition of specific
microbial strains or nutrients that
support their growth and activity.
Bioaugmentation
• Bioaugmentation involves
introducing specific
microorganisms into
contaminated water bodies to
enhance bioremediation
processes.
• These microbial cultures are
selected for their ability to
degrade targeted pollutants
effectively. By introducing them
into the contaminated water, they
can accelerate the breakdown of
pollutants and improve water
quality.
Biostimulation
• Biostimulation aims to stimulate
the growth and activity of
indigenous microorganisms in
water bodies to enhance their
natural bioremediation capabilities.
• This can be achieved by providing
additional nutrients, such as
nitrogen or phosphorus, to support
microbial growth and metabolism.
Biostimulation can promote the
degradation of organic pollutants
and the transformation of harmful
substances into less toxic forms.
2.
Phytoremediation
Phytoremediation utilizes plants to
remove, degrade, or immobilize
pollutants from water bodies. Plants can
absorb and accumulate certain
contaminants, such as heavy metals,
nutrients, and organic compounds, in
their tissues. Phytoremediation is
commonly used in constructed
wetlands, where specially selected
plants are grown in water treatment
systems to remove pollutants
Philippine Clean Water Act
Republic Act 9275, also known as the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, is an
environmental law in the Philippines that aims to protect and restore the quality of
the country's water resources.

Objective: The primary objective of RA 9275 is to promote and ensure the

sustainable use, development, and management of the country's water resources
by preventing, controlling, and abating water pollution.
Cont.
Water Quality Standards: The law sets standards for water quality
parameters, such as pH, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand,
coliform bacteria, and toxic substances. These standards serve as
benchmarks for the protection of water resources and the maintenance
of their designated uses, such as water supply, recreation, and aquatic
life support.
Pollution Control Programs: RA 9275 requires the formulation and
implementation of pollution control programs by government agencies,
local government units, and private entities. These programs aim to
prevent and reduce water pollution through the adoption of appropriate
pollution control measures and technologies.
Cont.
• Wastewater Management: The law promotes the proper management
and treatment of wastewater to prevent its discharge into water bodies
without proper treatment. It establishes standards for wastewater
effluents and mandates the use of appropriate treatment technologies
by industrial, commercial, and domestic sources.
• Water Quality Monitoring: RA 9275 emphasizes the importance of
regular monitoring and assessment of water quality. It mandates the
establishment of water quality monitoring systems and the conduct of
periodic monitoring to assess compliance with water quality standards
and identify areas of concern.
Cont.
• Enforcement and Penalties: The law provides for mechanisms to enforce its provisions
and impose penalties for violations. It authorizes the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) and other government agencies to conduct inspections, issue
permits and clearances, and impose fines and penalties for non-compliance.
• Public Participation and Education: RA 9275 encourages the involvement of local
communities, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders in the protection
and management of water resources. It also promotes awareness campaigns and
educational initiatives to promote responsible water use and pollution prevention.