Lesson 10: WATER TESTING LAB

• In the Philippines, water supply originates from lakes, rivers, river basins, ground water, and reservoirs
• Before water reaches specific areas like homes, schools, industries, and agriculture, it has to pass through installed pumps and pipelines
• To ensure the quality of water is safe for human consumption, it has to undergo the process of filtration and purification, as part of water treatment and sanitation
• Sources of water in the Philippines

  • Ambuklao Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant in Bokod, Benguet
  • Magat Dam in Esabela
  • Angat Dam, Ipo Dam and La Mesa Dam
• Water services in the Philippines

  • Agriculture
  • Industries
  • Domestic use
• Water providers in the Philippines

  • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
  • Community-based Organizations
  • Local Government Units (LGUs)
  • Water Districts
  • Small-scale independent providers
  • Large-scale Private operators
• Water pollution


  Mainly caused by chemicals, living organisms, and human activities. It may refer to physical, chemical, or biological changes in the quality of water, making it unsafe for human consumption
• Water pollutants


  • Bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites
  • Oxygen-demanding wastes
  • Water soluble inorganic pollutants like acid, base, salts, and toxic metals
  • Nutrients
  • Organic Substance (oil,plastic,pesticide)
  • Radioactive Compounds
• Sources of water pollutants

  • Farming
  • Business
  • Households
• DOH AO 2020-0031 provides updated guidelines on the accreditation of laboratories for drinking water analysis to generate accurate and reliable results
• DOH AO 2020-0031


  Applicable to all DOH offices, including its attached agencies, responsible for enforcing drinking water quality standards, as well as to all accredited laboratories for drinking water analysis (LDWA) nationwide
• Classification of LDWA


  • By Ownership: Government, Private
  • By Institutional Character: Institution based, Non-institution based
  • By Service Capability: Microbiological, Physico-Chemical, Microbiological-Physico-Chemical
• DOH AO 2006-0024 and DOH AO 2020-0031 are the pertinent laws and regulations on water supply in the Philippines
• DOH AO 2006-0024 aims to ensure the accuracy and reliability of drinking water analysis conducted by laboratories, and safeguard public health
• DOH AO 2020-0031 establishes updated guidelines for the accreditation of laboratories that analyze drinking water in the Philippines to ensure accurate and reliable results
• Accredited laboratories are monitored by authorized representatives from BHFS/CHD through unannounced on-site visits to ensure ongoing compliance with set standards
• Violations of the rules and regulations may result in sanctions, including suspension or revocation of the certificate of accreditation
• General Guidelines


  • All LDWAs are required to secure a DOH certificate of accreditation and comply with regulatory standards
  • The Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau (HFSRB) is responsible for the initial issuance of the DOH certificate of accreditation, while the Regulation Licensing Enforcement Division of the Center for Health Development (CHD-RLED) is responsible for the renewal issuance
  • The testing for radiologic or radioactive contaminants in water is regulated by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI)
  • LDWAs should not perform any examinations or testing beyond their accredited category and must comply with the prescribed standards and requirements listed in the assessment tool
  • The approval of the DOH certificate of accreditation is given by the Director IV of the HFSRB at the DOH Central Office or the Director IV of the CHD-RLED at the Center for Health Development
• Specific Guidelines


  • LDWAs are classified based on ownership, institutional character, and service capability
  • Technical requirements for LDWAs cover aspects such as the physical plant, personnel qualifications and functions, accreditation in cases of fraudulent results, changes in ownership or personnel without informing BHFS/CHD, refusal to allow survey or monitoring visits, refusal to participate in proficiency testing, or making material false statements in the application
• Specific Policies


  • Physical plant
  • Personnel
  • Equipment, instruments, reagents, supplies
  • Analytical methods
  • Quality and technical manuals
  • Laboratory reports and records
  • Quality management
  • Proficiency testing
• Procedures for Obtaining Accreditation

  1. Submission of an application

  2. Payment of accreditation fees

  3. Review of the application

  4. On-site survey of the laboratory

  5. Granting of accreditation after compliance with requirements
• The importance of responding to deficiency reports and correcting deviations within specified timeframes is emphasized
• Monitoring of Accredited Laboratories

  • Equipment, instruments, reagents, and supplies
  • Analytical methods
  • Quality and technical manuals
  • Laboratory reports and records
  • Quality management
  • Proficiency testing
  • Outsourcing
• Application Procedures


  1. Submission of an application form

  2. Submission of DTI or SEC registration

  3. Payment of the application fee

  4. Review of the application by HFSRB/CHD-RLED representative

  5. On-site assessment of the laboratory to determine compliance with the accreditation requirements
• The certificate of accreditation is valid for three years and is non-transferrable
• Roles and responsibilities


  • Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau
  • Center for Health Development-Regulatory, Licensing, and Enforcement Division
  • National Reference Laboratory for Environmental, Occupational Health, Toxicology, and Micronutrient Assay
• Transitory Provisions and Effective Date

  • Existing accredited laboratories have two years to fully comply with the new requirements
  • New laboratories must adhere to the order immediately
• The order includes a separability/repealing clause to address any provisions that may be declared unauthorized or invalid
• The order will take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation and filing with the University of the Philippines Law Center
• PD No. 856 is the CODE ON SANITATION, signed by Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. on December 23, 1975
• Chapters


  • 22
• Sections


  • 106
• PD No. 856 took effect immediately
• Pertinent Laws stated under PD No. 856


  • Republic Act No. 123 - Quarantine Regulations
  • Republic Act No. 3931 - Rules and Regulations of the National Water and Air Pollution Control Commission
  • Presidential Decree No. 480 - Rules and regulations of the Radiation Health Office of the Department of Health
• Chapters in PD No. 856


  • General Provision
  • Water Supply
  • Food Establishment
  • Markets and Abattoirs
  • Public Laundry
  • School Sanitation and Health Services
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • Public Swimming or Bathing Places
  • Rest Areas, Bus Terminals, Bus Stops, and Service Stations
  • Camps and Picnic Grounds
  • Dancing Schools, Dance Halls and Night Clubs
  • Tonsorial and Beauty Establishments
  • Massage Clinics and Sauna Establishments
  • Hotels, Motels and Apartments, Lodging, Boarding, or Tenement Houses, and Condominiums
  • Port, Airport, Vessel and Aircraft Sanitation
  • Vermin Control
  • Sewage Collection and Disposal, Excreta Disposal and Drainage
  • Refuse Disposal
  • Nuisances and Offensive Trades and Occupations
  • Pollution of the Environment
  • Disposal of Dead Persons
• Section 102 of PD No. 856 outlines the Penal Provisions, including the Secretary's authority to revoke or suspend the license of an undertaker or embalmer who violates any provisions, and penalties for engaging in the business of undertaking or embalming in violation of the regulations
• This chapter consists of 18 sections. It talks about the requirements and guidelines for burial grounds, burial, disinterment, funeral and embalming establishments, licensing and registration procedures for undertakers and embalmers, autopsy and dissection of remains, donation of human organs for medical purposes, handling of cadavers containing radioactive isotopes, and responsibilities of regional directors, local health authorities, and local governments. It also includes penalties for violations of this regulation.
• Sec 102. Penal Provisions


  1. The Secretary or his duly authorized representative may revoke or suspend the license of an undertakers or embalmer who violates any provisions of this Chapter or the rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary under this Chapter

  2. Any person who shall engage in the business of undertaking or embalming in violation of any provision of this Chapter shall be liable to a penalty of not more than P1,000.00 for each violation

  3. Each day or any part thereof during which any prohibited business or practice is continued shall be deemed a separate violation and subject to the same penalty prescribed in the preceding paragraph
• Sec 103. Penal Provision


  1. Any person who shall violate, disobey, refuse, omit or neglect to comply with any of the rules and regulations promulgated

  2. Any person who shall interfere with or hinder, or oppose any officer, agent or member of the Department or of the bureaus and offices under it, in the performance of his duty

  3. Any person who shall tear down, mutilate, deface or alter any placard, or notice, affixed to the premises in the enforcement of the Code
• Imprisonment


  Not more than 6 months