REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9275
The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004
MAEVELYN KATHRYN D. TUPASI
OIC, Ambient Monitoring and Technical Services Section
WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (WEAP(, INC.
DENR – ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAU (DENR – EMB)
THREE MAIN TOPICS
Salient Features of RA 9275
DAO 2016-08 and DAO 2021-19
WQG and GES
Wastewater Sampling Procedures and
Protocols
• Water is at the core of
sustainable development and is
critical for socio-economic
development, healthy ecosystems
and for human survival itself. It is
vital for reducing the global
burden of disease and improving
the health, welfare and
productivity of populations.
SDG 6
To ensure availability and
sustainable management
of water for all by 2030.
Water and Climate Change?
CLIMATE CHANGE: primarily a WATER CRISIS
• Impacts: worsening floods, rising sea levels,
shrinking ice fields, wildfires and droughts
WE CAN FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE
Thru SUSTAINABLE
WATER MANAGEMENT
➢ Build resilient societies and
ecosystems
➢ Reduce carbon emissions
Everyone has a role to play
To
protect
the
waterbodies of the
country,
the
“Philippine
Clean
Water Act of 2004”
or the
Republic Act No.
9275, was enacted to
ensure access to
clean water for all
Filipinos
R.A. 9275: The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004
 The State shall pursue a policy
of economic growth in a
manner consistent with the
protection, preservation and
revival of the quality of fresh,
brackish and marine waters.
Section 2 of R.A. 9275
 DENR AO 2005-10
⚫ Implementing Rules and
Regulations (IRR)
R.A. 9275: The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004
 Primarily addresses the abatement
and control of pollution from landbased sources.
 Focuses on the creation and
delegation of new regulatory,
planning and infrastructure
development functions to agencies
and subsidiary multi-sectoral bodies
and on streamlining inter-agency
coordination
R.A. 9275: The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004
 Primary agency responsible in the implementation and
INSTITUTIONAL
MECHANISM
enforcement
⚫ Review and set effluent standards
⚫ Review and enforce water quality guidelines
⚫ Classify groundwater sources and prepare a national
groundwater vulnerability map
⚫ Establish internally accepted procedures for sampling
and analysis
⚫ Prepare an integrated water quality management
DENR
framework and subsequently prepare 10-yr
management plans for each water management area
R.A. 9275: The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004
R.A. 9275: The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004
DILG MC 2019-62 dated April 22, 2019
Policy and Guidelines on Sewage Treatment and
Sewage Management System
Purpose: to reiterate the roles of LGUs in the delivery of
basic services relative to the implementation of sewage
treatment and septage management system within
their respective territorial jurisdiction
DOH AO 2019-0047
National Standard on the Design, Construction, Operation and
Maintenance of Septic Tank Systems
Objectives: to set a national standard on the design,
construction/installation, operation and maintenance of septic tank as
the major component of basic sanitation facilities and other
alternative sanitation technology design
R.A. 9275: The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ROLE
IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
 SECTION 21
⚫ The Department and the LGUs, in coordination with the appropriate agencies, and in consultation with
the business and industrial sectors, including commerce, shall formulate appropriate
incentives for the adoption procedures that will preserve and protect
our water bodies through the introduction of innovative equipment and
processes that reduce if totally eliminate discharge of pollutants into
our water bodies
We are Partners!!!
What’s your call?
Are you part of the solution
or part of the pollution?
Water Pollutants and its Impact to the
Environment
Dissolv
ed
Oxygen
Biochemical
Oxygen
Demand
With Pathogens
Inorganic Pollutants
Heavy Metals Accumulation →
enters food chain → public
health
Thermal Pollution
Suspended
Solids and
Sediments
Rise in temperature —>
reduces DO; increased
bacterial action
Suspended solids blocks
sunlight → inhibits
photosynthesis → decrease
plant survival → decreased
DO output
Reduction of light
Oil transmission = reduced
photosynthesis
Nutrients
Synthetic Compounds
Ammonia
◆ Nitrate
◆ Phosphate
◆
PAH = carcinogenic
Detergents, solvents, paint
etc = resistant to microbial
degradation; persistent
Radioactive Pollutants
Medical Wastes: Y-90, I-131
and Sr-89 for treating cancer
R.A. 9275: The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004
Wastewater Charge System and
Discharge
Permit
 Section 13: Wastewater Charge System
The DENR shall implement a wastewater
charge system in all management areas
through the collection of wastewater
charges/fees.
 Section 14: Discharge Permit
The DENR shall require owners or operators of
facilities that discharge regulated effluents
pursuant to this Act to secure a permit to
discharge
Discharge Permit (Section
14)
Date of Approval
DP Number
Name of Firm, Address and TIN Number
1. Allowable volume of discharge
And significant parameters
2. Submit Volume of effluent for reuse
(irrigation, watering, flush) --> within 30
days
5. Certification from DA for reuse
of treated wastewater
6. Submit Sludge Disposal
Management Plan → within 30 days
3. Submission of SMRs
4. Effluent Analysis Results
7. flow-metering device for influent and
effluent → within 30 days
8. Accessible sampling port
9. Certificate / Proof of desludging --WTF
10. Allow entry for inspection
11. Frame the DP and receipts
12. Renewed 30 days before expiration
CPD Chief
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
EMB MIMAROPA
 NWRB Water Permit
⚫ Requirement for those using ground water
as source of water for their operations
https://www.tlcpay.ph/NWRB/onlineapplication
R.A. 9275 Section 27 Prohibited Acts
Disposal of infectious medical
wastes into sea by vessels
Direct Discharge
Injecting or seepage into soil
Unauthorized transport or dumping of
sewage sludge or solid waste
Discharging to waterbody which
impedes natural flow
Discharge of prohibited chemicals regulated under RA 6969
R.A. 9275 Section 27 Prohibited Acts
Undertake activities or
development and expansion of
projects, or operating WWTF/ STP
in violation of PD 1586 and its IRR
NO VALID DISCHARGE
PERMIT
R.A. 9275 Section 27 Prohibited Acts
WQG and GES
DAO 2016-08: Water Quality Guidelines and
General Effluent Standards of 2016
DAO 2021-19: Updated Water Quality
Guidelines (WQG) and General Effluent Standards
(GES) for Selected Parameters
DAO 2016-08 is issued to provide guidelines…
⚫ For the CLASSIFICATION of water bodies in the country;
⚫ Determination of TIME TRENDS and evaluation of stages of
deterioration / enhancement in water quality;
⚫ Evaluation of the need for taking actions in preventing,
controlling or abating water pollution; and
⚫ Designation of WQMA
⚫ Set the GENERAL EFFLUENT STANDARDS (GES)
DAO 2016-08: WQG and GES
 Water Quality Guidelines
 General Effluent Standards
WQG
GES
⚫ … to maintain and preserve the
⚫ … to set legal restrictions or limits on
quality of water based on their
intended beneficial and for the
prevention and control of
pollution…
⚫ Applies to all waterbodies:
freshwaters, marine waters and
groundwater
⚫ Shall be used for classifying
waterbodies
⚫ Used in the process of WQMA
designation
the concentration of physico-chemical
and biological parameters of effluent
from business establishments….
⚫ Applies to all point sources of
pollution, regardless of volume, that
discharges to receiving body of water
or land
⚫ Used regardless of the industry
category
DAO 2016-08
PARAMETERS
DESCRIPTION
FC (Fecal Coliform)
Present in gut of human and other animals; Indicator organism; presence could mean
presence of other pathogens
BOD (Biochemical Oxygen
Demand)
Measures the degree / extent of pollution; amount of DO that must be present in water for
microorganisms to decompose the organic matter
DO (Dissolved Oxygen)
Measure the Oxygen present in water available for use of aquatic organisms; 6.5 – 8mg DO/L
= healthy
Color
Indicator of pollution; pure water is colorless therefore any color appearance in water =
pollution
TSS (Total Suspended Solids)
Particle impurities that are suspended in the water column; sediments, silts, sand, algae,
plankton, decomposing organic materials; interrupts photosynthesis
pH (power of Hydrogen)
Measure of acidity/basicity (0-14); too low or too high = stressful for aquatic organisms
Nitrate and Phosphate
Essential for plant growth but overabundance causes ecological harm, results to excessive
growth of plants and algae => clog water intakes; depletes oxygen; block light; eutrophication
Oil and Grease
Surface films such as fats, waxes when present in water contributes to the depletion of
oxygen ; interrupts photosynthesis
Water Quality Guidelines for Primary Parameters
Water Quality Guidelines for Secondary Parameters
GENERAL EFFLUENT STANDARDS
GENERAL EFFLUENT STANDARDS
GENERAL EFFLUENT STANDARDS
⚫ Updated Water Quality
Guidelines (WQG) and
General Effluent
Standards (GES) for
Selected Parameter
3
8
⚫ Updated Water Quality
Guidelines (WQG) and
General Effluent
Standards (GES) for
Selected Parameter
3
9
⚫ Updated Water Quality
Guidelines (WQG) and
General Effluent
Standards (GES) for
Selected Parameter
4
0
⚫ Updated Water Quality
Guidelines (WQG) and
General Effluent
Standards (GES) for
Selected Parameter
4
1
⚫ Updated Water Quality
Guidelines (WQG) and
General Effluent
Standards (GES) for
Selected Parameter
4
2
⚫ Updated Water Quality
Guidelines (WQG) and
General Effluent
Standards (GES) for
Selected Parameter
4
3
DAO 2016-08: Section 7.1 Significant Effluent Quality Parameters per Sector
(Table 8)
WASTEWATER
SAMPLING
PROCEDURES AND
PROTOCOLS
Main Objective
 COMPLIANCE
COLLECT A PORTION of material small enough in volume to be
TRANSPORTED CONVENIENTLY and yet
LARGE ENOUGH for analytical purposes while still accurately
REPRESENTING THE MATERIAL being sampled
FIVE MAJOR ACTIVITIES
Obtaining good results greatly depends on the following
1. Collecting representative samples
2. Proper sample handling and preservation
3. Adhering to adequate chain-of-custody and sample identification
4. Adequate quality assurance and quality control
5. Proper and correct analysis the sample
FIELD DATA FORM
AND LABEL
NOTE: NEVER
WASH THE
SAMPLING BOTTLE
WITH THE SAMPLE
Types of STP and Sample Collection Points
TYPE OF STP
SAMPLE COLLECTION POINT
BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT AEROBIC
SYSTEM and ANAEROBIC SYSTEMS
Effluent is taken from the discharge of the last treatment unit
AER0BIC SYSTEMS EMPLOYING ACTIVATED
SLUDGE AND TRICKLING FILTERS
Effluent is collected from the outflow of the secondary sedimentation tank or final clarifier
PONDS / LAGOONS
Effluent can be taken from the outfall right after the weir or from its discharge outfall
CHEMICAL TREATMENT
Effluent is collected from the discharge of the last sedimentation tank
SEPTIC TANK
Effluent can be taken from the outfall or the ditches (before discharge to drainage)
If there is no accessible sampling point or no outfall, sample is collected at the effluent filter of
the last chamber
CHLORINATED SAMPLE
Effluent sample is collected from the unit following the chlorine mixing tank
SIMPLE ACTIVITY
https://forms.office.com/r/XKXTTGnfu9
DO’s and DON’T’s OF SAMPLE TRANSPORT
DO’s
✓ Check that the sample bottle is securely capped to prevent leaking and contamination
✓ Pack the samples using fresh ice with a volume enough to keep the temperature at approximately 4ºC (usually
twice the volume of ice to samples)
✓ Separately pack samples and the ice
✓ Use double line coolers
DON’T’s
✖ Do not use tape or paraffin to seal the bottles/jars containing organic samples
✖Do not use BLUE ICE or other types of commercial, refreezable containers
✖Do not chill samples or use any substances that can chill or freeze the samples
✖ Samples for nutrient analysis must not be contained in coolers previously used for samples
preserved with nitric acid
World Water Day 2023 Theme:
ACCELERATING CHANGE TO SOLVE THE WATER AND SANITATION CRISIS
Speaker:
PICTURE
MAEVELYN KATHRYN D. TUPASI
OIC, Ambient Monitoring and Technical Services Section
DENR EMB MIMAROPA Region
WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (WEAP(, INC.
DENR – ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAU (DENR – EMB)