WATER

POLLUTION
CONCEPT
WATER POLLUTION
CONCEPT
Water pollution happens when destructive
substances — frequently synthetic compounds or
microorganisms — defile a stream, waterway, lake,
sea, spring, or other waterway, debasing water quality
and delivering it harmful to people or the climate. This
far reaching issue of water contamination is risking
our wellbeing.
When contamination originates from a single source,
it’s called point source pollution. Examples include
wastewater (also called effluent) discharged legally or
illegally by a manufacturer, oil refinery, or wastewater
treatment facility, as well as contamination from
leaking septic systems, chemical and oil spills, and
illegal dumping.
TYPES OF SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTANTS

01 02 02
DIRECT INDIRECT
SOURCES SOURCES
DIRECT (POINT) SOURCES
Point source pollution can be attributed to a single, definable
origin. For example, animal factory farms raise a large INDUSTRIAL UNTREATED
WASTEWATER SEWAGE
number and high density of livestock such as cows, pigs, and WATER
chickens. Combined sewer systems that have a single set of
underground pipes to collect both sewage and storm water
runoff from streets for wastewater treatment can also be major
point sources of pollutants. During heavy rain, storm water
runoff may exceed sewer capacity, causing it to back up. This
spills untreated sewage directly into surface waters .Other
examples include pipes from factories, waste disposal sites,
storage tanks, and chemical spills. LIVESTOCK
WASTEWATER
 A combined sewer system is a possible major point source of water pollution during heavy rain due to overflow of untreated sewage.
Sewage from domestic, commercial, and industrial sources enter the system through the down spout and storm water enters through the
storm drain. During dry weather (and small storms), all sewage is handled by the publicly owned treatment works (POTW). A dam
prevents raw sewage from flowing into a water body through the outfall pipe. During wet weather (large storms), the relief structure
allows some of the combined sewage and storm water to be discharged untreated to an adjacent water body.
 INDIRECT (NON-POINT) SOURCES
Nonpoint source pollution is from multiple dispersed
sources. The whole of the contribution of pollutants is
harmful, but the individual components may not reach
harmful concentrations.
Nonpoint sources of pollution include agricultural fields, cities,
and abandoned mines. Rainfall runs over the land and through
the ground, picking up pollutants from throughout
the watershed (including areas of land and smaller streams that
drain into a particular body of water). These pollutants might
include herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizer from agricultural
fields and lawns; oil, antifreeze, animal waste, and road salt
from urban areas; and acid and toxic elements from abandoned
mines. Then, this pollution is carried by runoff into surface water
bodies and groundwater.
EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION
ON HUMAN HEALTH
HEPATITIS
Water pollution can lead to severe health issues for
A
humans. Contaminants like bacteria, toxins, and chemicals in
polluted water can cause waterborne diseases, gastrointestinal GIARDI
problems, and long-term health issues. Additionally, exposure to A
polluted water may contribute to chronic conditions such as cancer
CHOLER
and neurological disorders. It's crucial to address and prevent A
water pollution to safeguard public health.
AMOEBIAS
IS
 ON VEGETATION
Water pollution negatively impacts
vegetation by introducing harmful substances
into the soil and water that plants rely on.
Chemical pollutants can hinder plant growth,
disrupt nutrient absorption, and even lead to
plant diseases. Elevated levels of toxins in water
bodies can result in the death of aquatic plants,
disrupting ecosystems. Overall, water pollution
poses a threat to the health and sustainability of
vegetation, impacting biodiversity and
ecosystem balance.
 ON THE ENVIROMENT IN
GENERAL
Water pollution has widespread effects on the environment. It harms aquatic ecosystems,
leading to the decline of fish and other aquatic species. Polluted water negatively impacts
biodiversity, disrupts food chains, and damages habitats. Additionally, contaminants in water can
leach into soil, affecting plants and terrestrial ecosystems. The pollution also has economic
implications, affecting industries like agriculture and fisheries. Overall, water pollution poses a
significant threat to the health and balance of ecosystems, with cascading effects on both aquatic
and terrestrial environments.
WASTE MANAGEMENT HIERARCHY

01 02 03 03
Can we minimize or Can we recycle or What are the steps involved in
eliminate the reuse dirty water? treating dirty water? What are
production of How? thE technologies used?
pollutants in water?
Can we minimize or eliminate the production of
pollutants in water? How? 1. Reduce demand:

Water Conservation: Encouraging people, organizations, and

sectors of the economy to utilize water more wisely by
implementing measures including leak repair, water-saving
appliance use, and water-wise behavior.
Public Awareness and Education: raising public awareness of
the value of water conservation and teaching people practical
techniques for cutting back on water use.

2. Increase Efficiency:

Water-Saving Technologies: Implementing into practice water-

saving technology including smart water management systems,
low-flow fixtures, and drip irrigation systems.
Efficient Agriculture Practices: Encouraging the use of
precision farming, efficient irrigation methods, and soil moisture
management to reduce water usage in agriculture.
 3. Reuse and Recycling:

Wastewater Treatment and Reuse: Treating wastewater to

a quality suitable for reuse in non-potable applications like
irrigation, industrial processes, or cooling systems.
Greywater Systems: Gathering and processing wastewater
from homes or businesses to be used for non-drinking
applications, such as toilet flushing or garden irrigation.

4.Sustainable Resource Management:

Ecosystem Restoration: Safeguarding and rehabilitating

natural water sources, which are essential for preserving
water quality and controlling water flow, such as wetlands,
watersheds, and forests.
Groundwater Management: Putting into practice
sustainable methods for managing groundwater resources,
such as controlling and monitoring extraction to stop
depletion.
 5. Water Harvesting: 7. Research and Innovation:

Rainwater Harvesting: Gathering and preserving Technology Development: Investing in research and
rainwater for use in domestic settings, agriculture, and development of new technologies and innovative
landscape irrigation, among other applications. solutions to address water management challenges.
Data Monitoring and Analysis: Establishing robust
6. Policy and Regulation: monitoring systems to track water availability, usage,
and quality, and utilizing data for informed decision-
Water Laws and Regulations: Implementing and making.
enforcing laws and regulations that promote responsible
water use, protect water quality, and ensure equitable
distribution of water resources.
Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM):
Adopting a holistic approach to managing water resources,
considering social, economic, and environmental factors.
CAN WE RECYCLE OR REUSE DIRTY WATER? HOW?
Through various treatment processes. The feasibility and methods of recycling or reusing contaminated water
depend on the type and degree of contamination, as well as the intended use of the treated water. Here are some common
methods for recycling or reusing contaminated water:

• Wastewater Treatment Plants:

Both household and industrial wastewater are intended to be treated in municipal wastewater treatment facilities. These
facilities purge water of impurities using a mix of physical, chemical, and biological processes, allowing the water to be
safely released back into bodies of water or used again for non-potable uses.
• Industrial Wastewater Treatment:
Industries often generate wastewater with specific contaminants related to their processes. Industrial wastewater
treatment involves tailored processes to remove or reduce these contaminants, allowing for safe discharge or reuse
within the industrial facility.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS INVOLVED IN TREATING
DIRTY WATER? WHAT TECHNOLOGIES WERE
USED?
• Advanced Treatment Technologies:
Advanced treatment technologies, such as membrane filtration (including reverse osmosis), ultraviolet
(UV) disinfection, and advanced oxidation processes, can be applied to treat water to high standards,
suitable for reuse in various applications.
• Constructed Wetlands:
Natural systems like constructed wetlands can be used to treat contaminated water. Wetlands promote
biological processes that help break down pollutants and improve water quality.
• Innovative Technologies:
Ongoing research and development lead to innovative technologies for water treatment. These may
include electrochemical processes, nanotechnology, and other emerging techniques that offer efficient
ways to remove contaminants.
Republic Act
No. 9275
 RA 9275: Philippine Clean Water Act
aims to protect and preserve the country’s water resources. The primary goal is to promote
and ensure the sustainable management of water quality for public health, the protection of
ecosystems, and the support of socio-economic development. RA 9275 outlines measures to prevent
and control water pollution, regulates the discharge of pollutants into water bodies, and establishes
the responsibilities of various stakeholders in safeguarding water quality in the Philippines.
 Prohibited Acts:
a) Discharging, depositing or causing to be deposited c) Operating facilities that discharge regulated water pollutants
material of any kind directly or indirectly into the water without the valid required permits or after the permit was revoked
bodies or along the margins of any surface water. for any violation of any condition.

b) Discharging, injecting or allowing to seep into the soil or d) Disposal of potentially infectious medical waste into sea water by
sub-soil any substance in any form that would pollute vessels unless the health or safety of individuals on board the vessel is
groundwater. threatened by a great and imminent peril

e) Unauthorized transport or dumping into sea waters of sewage

sludge or solid waste as defined under Republic Act No.9003;

f) Transport, dumping or discharge of prohibited chemicals,

substances or pollutants listed under Republic Act No.6969;

g) Operate facilities that discharge or allow to seep, willfully or

through gross negligence, prohibited chemicals, substances or
pollutants listed under R. A. No. 6969 into water bodies
h) Undertaking activities or development and expansion of projects,
or operating wastewater/sewerage facilities

i) Discharging regulated water pollutants without the valid required

discharge permit

j) Non-compliance of the LGU with the Water Quality Framework

and Management Area Action Plan.

k) Refusal to allow entry, inspection and monitoring by the

Department in accordance with this Act

l) Refusal to allow access by the Department to relevant reports and

records in accordance with this Act;

m) Refusal or failure to submit reports whenever required by the

Department in accordance with this Act;

n) Refusal or failure to designate pollution control officers whenever

required by, the Department in accordance with this Act;

o) Directly using booster pumps in the distribution system or

tampering with the water supply in such a way as to alter or impair
the water quality.