WATER POLLUTANTS

AND THEIR SOURCES

WATER

is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. Its molecule

contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected

by covalent bonds.

covers 70.9% of the Earth's surface, and is vital for all known forms

of life.

it is found mostly in oceans and other large water bodies, with 1.6% of

water below ground in aquifers and 0.001% in the air as vapor,

clouds (formed of solid and liquid water particles suspended in air),

and precipitation.

WATER CYCLE

known scientifically as the hydrologic cycle

refers to the continuous exchange of water within the hydrosphere,

between the atmosphere, soil water, surface water, groundwater, and

plants.

Water moves perpetually through each of these regions in the water

cycle consisting of following transfer processes:

1. Evaporation from oceans and other water bodies into the air

and transpiration from land plants and animals into air.

2. Precipitation, from water vapor condensing from the air and

falling to earth or ocean.

3. Runoff from the land usually reaching the sea.

Water pollution

is the contamination of water bodies.

Water pollution affects, plants, and organisms living in these bodies of

water; and, in almost all cases the effect is damaging not only to

individual species and populations, but also to the natural biological

communities.

Water pollution is a major global problem

CATEGORIES OF WATER

SURFACE WATER

Water that are found on the surface of the earth.

Seeps through the soil and ground and eventually becomes ground water.

CLASSIFICATION OF SURFACE WATER POLLUTION

POINT SOURCES

refers to contaminants that enter a waterway from a single, identifiable

source, such as a pipe or ditch.

The CWA definition of point source was amended in 1987 to include

municipal storm sewer systems, as well as industrial storm water, such

as from construction sites.

NON-POINT

SOURCES

refers to diffuse contamination that does not originate from a single

discrete source. NPS pollution is often the cumulative effect of small

amounts of contaminants gathered from a large area.

Instructions to identify the source of pollution

Point Source Pollution

Inspect major animal farm "factories" where there are large amounts of

chicken coops, swineherds in cages and cows kept in pens.

Tour your community's water treatment plant. Determine if the tests are

appropriate to clean the water before it returns to the holding system.

Think about what the water looks like when you go swimming. Consider

whether you would want to enter the water you are inspecting.

GROUND WATER

Water that are found under ground.

CAUSES OF GROUND ACQUIFERS

wide spectrum of chemicals

pathogens

elevated temperature

PATHOGENS

COLIFORM BACTERIA are a commonly used bacterial indicator of water

pollution, although not an actual cause of disease.

High levels of pathogens may result from inadequately

treated sewage discharges. This can be caused by a sewage plant

designed with less than secondary treatment (more typical in less-

developed countries).

CHEMICAL AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS

Organic water pollutants

Detergents

Disinfection by-products found in chemically disinfected drinking water,

such as chloroform

Food processing waste, which can include oxygen-demanding substances,

fats and grease

Insecticides and herbicides, a huge range of organohalides and

other chemical compounds

Petroleum hydrocarbons, including fuels (gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuels,

and fuel oil) and lubricants (motor oil), and fuel combustion by products,

from storm water runoff

Tree and bush debris from logging operations

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as industrial solvents, from

improper storage. Chlorinated solvents, which are dense non-aqueous

phase liquids (DNAPLs), may fall to the bottom of reservoirs, since they

don't mix well with water and are denser.

Various chemical compounds found in

personal hygiene and cosmetic products

Inorganic water pollutants

Acidity caused by industrial discharges (especially sulfur

dioxide from power plants)

Ammonia from food processing waste

Chemical waste as industrial by-products

Fertilizers containing nutrients--nitrates and phosphates--which are

found in storm water runoff from agriculture, as well as commercial and

residential use

Heavy metals from motor vehicles (via urban storm water

runoff) and acid mine drainage

Silt (sediment) in runoff from construction sites, logging, slash and

burn practices or land clearing sites

Macroscopic pollution

large visible items polluting the watermay be termed "floatables" in an

urban storm water context, or marine debris when found on the open

seas

Trash or garbage (e.g. paper, plastic, or food waste) discarded by people

on the ground, along with accidental or intentional dumping of rubbish,

that are washed by rainfall into storm drains and eventually discharged

into surface waters

Nurdles, small ubiquitous waterborne plastic pellets

Shipwrecks, large derelict ships

Safeguarding our Groundwater Supply

For example:

leaking underground storage tanks can be replaced by tanks that will

not corrode

landfills can be sited in locations where leachates will not contaminate

underlying groundwater

and the impacts of spills of hazardous materials reduced by restricting

access to recharge areas.

Thermal pollution

is the rise or fall in the temperature of a natural body of water caused by

human influence.

unlike chemical pollution, results in a change in the physical properties

of water.

A common cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a coolant by

power plants and industrial manufacturers.

can also be caused by the release of very cold water from the base

of reservoirs into warmer rivers.

SOURCES OF THERMAL POLLUTION

Removal of trees along the shore line

Power plants

Dumping of waste warm water by nuclear plants.

EFFECTS OF THERMAL POLLUTION IN WATER

Sudden and peroiodic increase in temperature producing a

thermal effect

Changed dissolved oxygen

distribution of organisms among major and minor communities.

Death of steno hermic animals

Changes to reproductive powers and increased susceptibility to disease

production of heat shock proteins for thermotolerance.

Control of Thermal Pollution

Construction of cooling ponds

Construction of cooling towers for radiation.

Use cogeneration where the heat is recycled

MAJOR TYPES OF POLLUTANT

1. Bacteria, viruses, protozoa and parasitic worms.

Sources:

Human & animal wastes.

Harmful effects:

Disease

2. Oxygen Demanding Wastes Organic

Sources:

Sewage, animal feedlots, paper mills, an food processing facilities.

Harmful effects:

This causes fish and other forms of oxygen-consuming aquatic life to die.

3. Inorganic chemicals

Sources:

Surface runoff, industrial effluents and household cleansers.

Harmful effects

1) make fresh water unusable for drinking or irrigation,

2) cause skin cancers and crippling spinal & neck damage (F)

3) damage the nervous system, liver and kidneys (Pb and As),

4) harm fish and other aquatic life,

5) lower crop yields, and

6) accelerate corrosion of metals exposed to such water.

5. Plant Nutrients

Sources:

Sewage, manure, and runoff of agricultural and urban fertilizers.

Harmful effects:

Can cause excessive growth of algae & other aquatic plants,

7. Radioactive Materials

Sources:

Nuclear and coal-burning power plants, mining and processing of

uranium and other ores, nuclear weapons production, natural sources.

Harmful effects:

Genetic mutations, miscarriages, birth defects, and certain cancers.

Common Diseases Transmitted to Humans Through Contaminated

Drinking Water

1. Bacteria

Disease:

Typhoid fever (diarrhea, severe vomiting, enlarged spleen, inflamed

intestine, often fatal if untreated.)

Cholera (diarrhea, severe vomiting, dehydration; often fatal if untreated.)

Bacterial dysentery (diarrhea, rarely fatal except in infants without

proper treatment.)

Enteritis (severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting; rarely fatal)

2. Viruses

Disease:

Infectious hepatitis (fever, severe headache, loss of appetite, abdominal

pain, jaundice, enlarged liver; rarely fatal but may cause permanent

liver damage)

3. Parasitic protozoa

Disease:

Amoebic dysentery (Severe diarrhea, headache, abdominal pain, chills,

fever; if not treated can cause liver abscess, bowel perforation and

death.)

Giardiasis (Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, flatulence, belching, fatigue)

4. Parasitic worms

Disease:

Schistosomiasis (Abdominal pain, skin rash, anemia, chronic fatigue, and

chronic general ill health)

MAJOR WATER POLLUTANTS

Arsenic

is an odorless and tasteless semi-metal element. It finds its way into

drinking water supplies from agricultural and industrial practices and

natural deposits in the earth.

It is associated with several health hazards such as thickening and

discoloration of the skin, nausea, vomiting, stomachaches, diarrhea and

even partial paralysis and blindness. In extreme cases it can even lead to

cancer.

Lead

is also a pollutant that affects drinking water.

Excessive lead can lead to delays in physical and mental development, as

well as learning disabilities and poor attention spans amongst children.

Contaminated Sediments

Several contaminants affect the sediments in natural water sources. In

some form or the other, they flow from virtually every human habitation,

whether agricultural or urban. Some of the most problematic sources of

contaminants are industrial and municipal waste discharges.

Mercury

gets into surface water through rocks, soil, industrial activities and

wastewater treatment facilities.

This metal is extremely dangerous for fish and the animals that eat them.

Disinfectants

added to drinking water to protect it from microbial pathogens, which

are also very dangerous pollutants.

Sources:

http://courses.ma.org/

www.ehow.com

Wikipedia.org

Flicker for Photos

www.tutorvista.com

www.ec.gc.ca

Yahoo! Images

WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN RIVERS AND LAKES

WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN RIVERS

Water Quality Management

- to control the discharge of pollutants so the water quality is at an

acceptable level.

Factors to consider for water quality management in rivers:

Nature of pollutants

Unique characteristics of the individual river

Important Characteristics

Surrounding vegetation

Climate of the region

Mineral heritage of watershed

Land use patterns

Types of aquatic life in the river

Effects of oxygen-demanding wastes on rivers

Causes depletion of the dissolved oxygen in the water

May endanger aquatic life

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Theoretical oxygen demand (ThOD) depends on chemical composition

to know the amount of oxygen needed to oxidize a substance to carbon

dioxide and water.

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) contrast to ThOD

COD Test a test which uses a strong oxidizing agent mixed in the water

sample and boiled.

*The difference between the amount of oxidizing agent used at the

beginning and that remaining at the end of the test is used to calculate

the COD*

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

BOD - the chemical procedure to determine the intake rate of dissolved

oxygen by the microorganisms

BOD Test most widely used method of measuring organ matter as well

as measuring the change in dissolved oxygen concentration

Aerobic decomposition the process in which the microorganisms uses

oxygen as it consumes waste

Ultimate BOD maximum oxygen consumption possible when waste has

been completely degraded

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Method 1: Low BOD Levels (0 6 mg/L)

BOD is calculated from two separate dissolved oxygen measurements

made using the Dissolved Oxygen Probe. The initial dissolved oxygen

reading is taken at the sampling site using the procedures outlined in

Test 5. Using a light-free sample bottle, a water sample is collected at the

same site. The sample is transported back to the lab and incubated at

20C for a total of five days. After five days, the incubated sample is

tested for dissolved oxygen. The oxygen reading at the end of the five

days is subtracted from the initial reading. The resulting value is the

BOD level.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Method 2: High BOD Levels (> 6 mg/L)

This method is recommended when testing stagnant or polluted waters,

in which all of the dissolved oxygen may be consumed before the end of

the 5-day period. The initial dissolved oxygen test, sampling, storage and

incubation, are performed in the same manner as found in Method 1.

Differences for Method 2 are:

Five water samples are collected.

A sample is tested for dissolved oxygen every 24 hours for five days.

If, before the fifth day, the dissolved oxygen concentration falls below

2 mg/L, oxygen is added to the remaining samples by aeration.

Add each bottles change in dissolved oxygen concentration to obtain

the BOD value.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Nitrogen Oxidation

Process of Oxidation:

Nitrogenous oxygen consumption due to oxidation of nitrogen

Carbonaceous oxygen consumption due to oxidation of carbon

Nitrogen Oxidation

*nitrogen is released as ammonia cation. This cation plus the ammonia

released by industrial waste is oxidized to nitrate. The nitrate is then

consumed by a special group of nitrifying bacteria.*

DO Sag Curve

DO (dissolved oxygen) determines the health of the river

DO Sag Curve assess the ability of a river to absorb waste discharge

*Rivers are able to self-purify itself and as long as DO Curve is group up,

the river can still manage the waste discharge, but if it goes below the

critical point, this may cause changes in the living plants or animals in

the river.*

DO Sag Curve

Effects on Nutrient on Water Quality in Rivers

Nutrients causes excessive plant growth

Nutrients are the following:

Carbon be dissolved in water

Nitrogen toxic to fish

element for excessive growth of algae

Phosphorus vital element for the growth of algae

Trace elements treated in water facilities

Effects on Nutrient on Water Quality in Rivers

*When algae dies, it becomes an oxygen demanding material

(pollutant).*

LAKES

All lakes gradually accumulate silt and organic materials they undergo a

natural aging process known as EUTROPHICATION.

OLIGOTROPHIC (few foods) characterized mainly by a low nutrient

content and low plant productivity

EUTROPHICATION - excessive addition of inorganic nutrients

(usually of phosphorous and nitrogen), organic matter, and silt to lakes

that causes a corresponding increase in biological productivity

- when eroded soil and silt from the land enter

lakes in large quantities, they increase water-column turbidity and

reduce water depths as these materials accumulate as sediments on the

lake bottom

Cultural Eutrophication - caused by human activities ( primarily

urbanization)

Natural Eutrophication - inevitable and takes many years to occur

PROBLEM

Overuse of Lakes - while aquatic recreational demands increase, the

amount of the resource stays the samereservoirs and large lakes

rarely are constructed any more

SOLUTION

Time Zoning - some uses are restricted to certain times of the day

Space Zoning - different areas of the lake are designated for particular

uses

PROBLEM

Exotic Species or Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) - such species often are

better competitors and often drive out native species (include algae,

plants, fish, and invertebrates)

SOLUTION

ANS Education Programs - aimed at school children will educate the next

generation of lake users about the dangers of invasive and exotic species

IN-LAKE MANAGEMENT

lake management must begin in the watershed, or drainage basin

dredging can remove accumulations of sediments and their associated

nutrients

Fish can be stocked in the lake to create a more balanced fishery

Water quality assessment

For the period 2001 to 2005, the EMB monitored a total of 196 inland

surface waters: 192 rivers and four lakes. Of the 196 monitored water

bodies, only 127 met the required four sampling events and were

included in the analysis. Data on the status of water quality contained in

the EMB National Water Quality Status Report using each of the

parameters mentioned earlier are presented below.

Dissolved oxygen (DO)

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is the amount of oxygen that is dissolved in water

and is essential to healthy streams and lakes. Dissolved Oxygen is one of

the water quality parameters used as an indication of how polluted the

water is and how well the water can support aquatic plant and animal

life. A higher dissolved oxygen level usually indicates better water

quality. If dissolved oxygen levels are too low, some fish and other

organisms may not be able to survive (Stevens Institute of Technology,

The Global Water Sampling Project 2007).

Generally, the national standard for DO is 5 mg/L, except for water

bodies classified as Class D and Class SD, with standards set at 3 mg/L

and 2 mg/L, respectively (PEM, 2004).

Low DO levels may be found in areas where organic material (dead plant

and animal matter) is decaying, as bacteria require oxygen to

decompose organic waste, thus, depleting the water of oxygen. Areas

near sewage discharges sometimes have low DO levels due to this effect

(Stevens Institute of Technology, The Global Water Sampling Project

2007).

Furthermore, low concentrations of DO, when combined with the

presence of toxic substances may lead to stress responses in aquatic

ecosystems because the toxicity of certain elements, such as zinc, lead

and copper, is increased by low concentrations of dissolved oxygen

(Enderlein et al., 1996).

The EMB report on monitoring of DO levels shows that approximately 47

percent of 127 water bodies are found to have good water quality and

could be tapped as sources for water supply.

Forty percent recorded fair water quality, which means that the water

bodies partially comply with the designated water quality criteria but do

not support its intended beneficial use in 50 to 97.99 percent of

sampling instances.

Thirteen percent, however, showed poor water quality. These include

the four rivers in NCR San Juan River, Paraaque River, Navotas-

Malabon-Tullahan-Tenejeros River, and Pasig River; Guadalupe River in

Region VII; Meycauayan and Bocaue Rivers in Region III; and Calapan

River in Region IV-B.

Data in the PEM 2004 issue states, however, that as of 2004, 15 rivers

nationwide have dissolved-oxygen at or below zero, indicating that they

are dead during the dry months. In addition, Environment Secretary

Angelo Reyes also mentioned in a published news article early this year

(2007) that as many as 50 of the 421 rivers in the country can be

considered "biologically dead" (Gaylican, C, PDI, 2007).

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)

Biochemical oxygen demand, or BOD, measures the amount of oxygen

consumed by microorganisms in decomposing organic matter in stream

water. BOD parameter measures the organic strength of wastes in water;

the greater the BOD, the greater the degree of organic pollution.

BOD also directly affects the amount of dissolved oxygen in rivers and

streams. The greater the BOD, the more rapidly oxygen is depleted in the

stream. This means less oxygen is available to higher forms of aquatic

life. The consequences of high BOD are similar as those for low dissolved

oxygen: aquatic organisms become stressed, suffocate, and die.

National standards for BOD vary from 1 to 15 mg/L based on beneficial

water usage and classification.

For this parameter, 47 percent of the 107 water bodies with at least four

sampling events were found to show good water quality, 41 percent have

fair water quality, while the remaining 12 percent have poor water

quality with the highest BOD recorded at the downstream section of

Bulua Creek in Region X. According to the report, this indicates high

organic discharges from manufacturing facilities, runoff from livestock

production, and discharges from households.

The EMB Report further mentions that there are three rivers that

recorded zero percent compliance of all samples with the BOD criterion.

Total suspended solids (TSS)

TSS parameter measures the amount of undissolved solid particles in

water such as level of siltation, decaying plant and animal matter, and

domestic and industrial wastes. For water bodies used for water supply

the standard for TSS is 25 mg/L for Class AA and 50 mg/L for Class A

(EMB, 2006).

Out of forty-six Class A/AA water bodies monitored for TSS, about 23

percent have good water quality, 69 percent have fair water quality, and

eight percent have high TSS levels, indicating poor water quality. Among

those with poor water quality are: Pampanga River in Region III, Bicol

River in Region V, and Iponan and Alubijid Rivers in Region X.

According to EMB, the presence of a high percentage of TSS confirms the

effects of sand and gravel quarrying activities and runoff from denuded

forests and agricultural lands.

Total dissolved solids (TDS)

TDS is generally used as an aggregate indicator of the presence of a

broad array of chemical contaminants. The primary sources of TDS in

receiving waters are agricultural runoff, leaching of soil contamination,

and point source water pollution from industrial or domestic sewage

(EMB, 2006).

For water bodies classified as Class AA, the standard for TDS levels is

expected not to exceed 500 mg/L and 1,000 mg/L for both Class A and D

waters.

Of the 30 monitored Class AA/A water bodies, three have two

classifications; hence, a total of 33 classifications. About 55 percent have

good TDS levels, which mean that these water bodies comply with set

water quality criteria based on their intended beneficial use. Forty-two

percent have fair TDS levels and only Marilao River has poor water

quality, with annual average TDS levels ranging from 1,785 to 3,265

mg/L.

Heavy metals

EMB reports that heavy metals are parameters included in monitoring

activities only for receiving water bodies where mining, electroplating,

tanning, and other similar activities are operating.

Among inland surface waters, only Meycauayan, Bocaue, and Marilao

Rivers have been monitored. Annual average monitoring results of

Meycauayan River in 2001, 2003, and 2004 show an excess (based on

minimum criteria and value) for chromium (2001), cadmium (2001),

and lead (2004) (EMB, 2006).

Monitoring results of Bocaue River indicate that the River met the

criteria for chromium, copper, and cadmium. However, it showed high

lead concentrations in all its sampling stations particularly during the

dry season in 2004. The Marilao River showed similar excess (relative to

existing standards) in lead and cadmium in its Class A and C waters.

Potential sources of heavy metals are tanneries, electroplating, and

other similar industries located in nearby areas.

The Marilao River was the subject of two Greenpeace reports in 1996

(Lead Overload: Lead Battery Waste Trade and Recycling in the

Philippines) and, again, in 2003 (Toxics Reloaded: Revisiting the Impacts

of Lead Battery Waste Trade and Recycling in the Philippines) for lead

contamination. Effluent samples taken from a discharge canal of the

Philippine Recyclers, Incorporated (PRI) had lead levels of 190 ppm or

3,800 times higher than the 0.05 ppm or mg/L standard set for lead in

effluent from old and existing industries.

Continuous monitoring of mercury and cyanide levels in rivers and

creeks traversing Small Scale Mining Areas in some parts of Eastern

Mindanao is being undertaken by the MGB and EMB. MGB Region XI

reported in December 2003 that mercury levels were found to be

beyond the 0.002 mg/L criterion in filtered water samples in some

monitoring locations in Naboc River. Likewise, cyanide was detected in

the mixing zone at Sitio Deptro, Upper Ulip (EMB, 2006).

In October 2005, mine tailings from the operations of Lafayette

Philippines Inc. spilled into creeks in Rapu Rapu Island causing massive

fishkills in the receiving marine waters. On July 18, 2006 while on a test

run that would eventually lead to the full resumption of its operations,

another fishkill was reported. Greenpeace took samples of water from

the Mirikpitik Creek in August 2006 and found cadmium, copper and

zinc levels that were many hundreds of times higher than typical

background concentrations (Lafayette causes pollution during 30-day

trial run).

The PEM 2003, on the other hand, reported that heavy metals and toxic

pollutants from industrial sources were found to contribute to pollution

in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Cebu and mining

sources in the Cordillera Autonomous Region and CARAGA.

Philippine Clean Water Act of

2004 (RA 9275)

Signed on 22 March 2004

Implementing Rules and Regulations

approved in May 2005 (DENR

Administrative Order 2005-10)

Policy

To pursue economic growth in a manner

consistent with the protection,

preservation, and revival of the quality of

our fresh, brackish, and marine waters;

framework for sustainable development

shall be pursued

Coverage of the Act

Water quality management in all water

bodies, primarily to the abatement and

control of pollution from land-based

sources

Objectives: Philippine Clean Water Act

Aims to protect the countrys water bodies

from pollution from land based sources

Provides for a comprehensive and integrated

strategy to prevent and minimize pollution

through a multi sectoral and participatory

approach involving all stakeholders

MAJOR PROVISIONS of CWA and its IRR

Designation of Water Quality Management Areas using appropriate

physiographic units

with governing boards, action plans, management funds, and other

support mechanisms

Designation of water bodies with pollutants exceeding standards as

nonattainment areas (NAA)

Preparation and implementation of National Sewerage and Septage

Management Program to manage domestic sewage collection, treatment,

and disposal in Metro Manila and other HUCs

Financial liability mechanisms shall be put in place for environmental

rehabilitation and clean-up operations

Institutional and linkage mechanism is defined with DENR as the lead

agency

Establishment of a National and Area WQM Fund from fines, penalties,

damages, permit fees, donations, endowments, and grants

With provisions on Incentives and Rewards as well as Civil Liabilities,

Penal Provisions

Wastewater Charge System and Discharge Permit shall be implemented

Wastewater Discharge Permit:

Discharge Permit For : owners/operators of

facilities that discharge regulated water

pollutants into Philippine waters and/or land

Discharge Permit is the legal authorization

granted by the Department to discharge

wastewater

Discharge Permit specify:

The quantity and quality of effluent

The compliance schedule

The monitoring requirement ( SMR)

REQUIREMENTS FOR DP

APPLICATION

New:

Engineers Report- prepared by registered Chemical or sanitary

Engineer

Copy of ECC

DENR ID No.

Proof of compliance

Notarized Application form

Payment of fees

Additional Requirements For Discharge of

Effluent for Agricultural Purposes:

Certified true copy of land ownership or MOA

Effluent shall not contain hazardous substances

Certification from DA

Baseline data of ground water quality

Emergency plan

REQUIREMENTS FOR DP

APPLICATION

Renewal

SMRs

Accreditation of PCO

Notarized application

OR for payment of fees

Proof of compliance

DISCHARGE FEE FORMULA

Ln refers to the net waste load (kg/year),

Ln (BOD5/TSS) = [ (Cf Ca) (Qf x Nf)] x 0.001

where:

Cf - average daily effluent concentration (mg/L) for

priority pollutant parameter (BOD or TSS)

Qf - average volumetric flow rate measurement or final

discharge effluent (m3/day)

Nf -total number of discharge days in a year (days/year)

Ca -average water quality concentration for priority

pollutant parameter (BOD or TSS) of abstract or intake

water (mg/L).

Grounds for Revocation/Suspension of DP

Non-compliance or gross violation

Deliberate or negligent submission of false

information/monitoring data

Refusal to allow lawful inspection

Non-payment of the appropriate wastewater discharge fee

Other grounds provided by law

PROHIBITED ACTS

1. Discharging, depositing material of

any kind w/c could cause water

pollution

2. Operating facilities that discharge

regulated water pollutants without the

valid required permits

3. Refusal or failure to submit reports

required by the Department

4. Refusal to allow entry, inspection ,

monitoring by the Department

5. Refusal or failure to designate

Pollution Control officer

FINES AND PENALTIES

Any person who commits any of the prohibited acts or violates any

provision of this Act.

Fine - P10-200T/ day of violation

- subject to the PAB discretion

Gross Violation

Imprisonment - 6 to 10 years

Fine - P 0.5-3M / day

deliberate discharge of pollutants per RA 6969

5 or more violations of any of the

prohibited acts w/in 2 yrs.

blatant disregard of PAB order

State of Water Quality

Of the 19 rivers being monitored by EMB nationwide, 14 rivers showed

improvement in BOD and DO level as of 2006 . However, only 8 of the 19

rivers meet the standards for BOD and DO, namely: Imus river, Mogpog

river, Malaguit river, Panique river, Anayan river, Iloilo river, Luyang

river and Sapangdaku river. All the rivers in Metro Manila still exceed

the criteria for DO/BOD

Sources of Water Pollution

(The Problem)

National Level

Agricultural 37%

Industrial 15 %

Domestic 48 %

Metro Manila Level

Industrial 37%

Domestic 58%

Solid Waste 4 5 %

In Metro Manila

Only 7% of the total population is connected to sewer system

In Metro Manila only 11 % of the population is directly or indirectly

connected to sewerage system

Remaining 85 % are served by over 2 million ill maintained septic

tanks

No toilet 4 % of population

Water Quality Management Efforts

The EMB and its regional offices continue to intensify its implementation

of Sagip Ilog Program by closely monitoring the effluents of

commercial firms and

industries so that they conscientiously comply with tandards and at the

same time also undertake river rehabilitation efforts

In 2007, the EMB issued a total of 2,580 wastewater discharge permits

and monitored a total of 2,568 firms nationwide. Effluents of those 1,190

firms which have been identified to be potentially pollutive were tested

and 308 firms were found to exceed the standards and were issued NOVs

Water Quality

Management Programs in the Philippines

Legal framework for water governance in the Phils.

1987 Constitution which mandates that all water resources belong to the

State;

Presidential Decree (PD) 1067 in 1976 or The Water Code of the

Philippines;

Republic Act (RA) 8041 in 1995 or The Water Crisis Act;

Executive Order No. 364 in 1996, which created the Presidential Task

Force on Water Resources Development and Management; and

Clean Water Act in 2004

R.A. 9275 Clean Water Act (CWA) in 2004

its innovations in water quality management, the Act and its IRR

require integrated approach, stronger collaboration among

stakeholders, and promotion of coownership of the water

bodies.

ADB warned that water availability in the Philippines could be

"unsatisfactory" in eight of its 19 major river basins and in most major

cities before 2025 (ADB, 2007);

Local governance initiated on water quality management program

(WQMP) and intervention reforms;

Major Institutions involved in the Philippine Water Sector

Policies and Laws on water quality management Program

Some Local Community Policies and

Regulations on Water Quality Management Program

Some Water Quality Management Program

Implemented by Government.

Water Quality Management Program

WQMP emanates from national policies and regulations;

Specific enforcement requirements are mandated through enactment of

ordinances from provincial, municipal, or city governments;

Programs and activities to control water pollution and protect water

bodies are spearheaded by various government agencies,

The Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water of 1993 outlines

various parameters to be used in the analysis of drinking water quality;

There are currently 56 bacteriological, physical, chemical, radiological,

and biological parameters to be monitored.

Source water and product water are subject to regular monitoring by the

local health office.

The national standards for drinking water contains 56 parameters that

must be complied with.

Only DOH-accredited laboratories are allowed to conduct water testing

and analysis. The frequency of monitoring is as follows:

Bacteriological quality -at least monthly

Physical quality -at least every six (6) months

Chemical quality -at least every six (6) months

Biological quality -at least once a year

Monitoring of radioactive contaminants shall be done only if there is

significant input of radiation from the surrounding environment.

Parameters monitored (Physicochemical):

dissolved oxygen (DO),

biochemical oxygen demand (BOD),

total suspended solids (TSS),

total dissolved solids (TDS), and

heavy metals

DO, coliform, and heavy metals for coastal and marine waters; and

biological parameters such as phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthos

were monitored in selected water bodies.

Challenges in WQMP

Strict Enforcement of Water Policies

Enhance enforcement capability and capacity to immediately

address deteriorating water bodies

Promote compliance to all industries discharging to the Regions water

bodies

Strengthening of InterAgency Collaboration

Collaborate with other agencies like the Department of Health (DOH),

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), National Water

Resources Board (NWRB), and LGUs in implementing WQMP

Enhancement of Resources and Capabilities of Personnel

Augment water quality management personnel (Currently, four

fulltime personnel are incharge of monitoring more than 78,000

industries and 84 water bodies.)

Build capacity on water quality management through continuous

training

Increase budget allocation to meet the s water quality management

targets

Management of Domestic Wastes

Enhance solid waste management program by providing support to the

LGUs through capacity building programs

Sustained Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Campaign

by Education Institutions

Establish disclosure mechanism on water quality management issues

Develop and publish IEC materials regularly

Best Practices and Lessons Learned in WQMP

River Water Quality Managementcapacitated local farmers in

understanding and performing water quality monitoring that was

focused on drinking water quality and its impact to public health (World

Bank, 2003).

Lake Water Quality ManagementLaguna Lake is one of Southeast Asias

largest inland water bodies. Since its establishment in 1966 through RA

4850, the LLDA has been protecting and preserving the quality of the

Lake as well as the 21 river systems that flow into it

PublicPrivate Sectors Collaboration to Promote CP. Interagency

collaboration has demonstrated success in transforming the paradigm of

industries to focus on an integrated, preventive environmental strategy

to processes, products, and services to increase efficiency and reduce

risks to humans and the environment.

Table 1. Progress in Achieving MDG Targets, and IDWA values.

Food and WQMP Initiatives at MMSU

regular food and water quality monitoring to special studies on

analytical method formulation and/or validation and testing of

substances to assess impacts on water pollution and food product

development to help local entrepreneurs.

initiative is being done to conduct current good manufacturing practices

(cGMP) on food and water resources for crop production, dormitories,

faculty houses and water refilling projects for MMSU and for food

processors of vinegar/wine, local sausage and other local food products

in the community.

Implications

Clean Water Act of 2004 require appropriate planning processes,

regulations, capital investments, and resources;

It is evident that more actions and resources are needed to build on

existing water quality management programs;

Organizing Stakeholders

Conclusion

Major water quality challenges are felt to improve the quality of its

surface, ground, and coastal waters;

The government pursue aggressive strategic plans to address the

seemingly decreasing trend of the quality of water bodies;

The active involvement and participation of stakeholders is important in

implementing WQMP;

Recommendations

Successful WQMP requires a strong communitybased effort with

stakeholder involvement, good partnership building and collaborative

decision making on best management practices;

The challenge is to internalize the message that water is an important

resource and that everyone has to play a role in the conservation and

management of our water environment;