Water act

• RA 9275

  The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004
• Clean Water Act

  
  

  Aims to protect the country's water bodies from pollution from land-based sources (industries and commercial establishments, agriculture and community/household activities)

  Provides for a comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent and minimize pollution through a multi-sectoral and participatory approach involving all the stakeholders
• Salient Features of the Act


  • Streamline processes and procedures in the prevention, control and abatement of pollution of the country's water resources
  • Promotes environmental strategies, use of appropriate economic instruments and of control mechanisms for the protection of water resources
  • Formulate a holistic national program of water quality management that recognizes that water quality management issue cannot be separated from concerns about water sources and ecological protection, water supply, public health and quality of life
  • Formulate an integrated water quality management framework through proper delegation and effective coordination of functions and activities
  • Promote commercial and industrial processes and products that are environment friendly and energy-efficient
  • Encourage cooperation and self-regulation among citizen and industries through the application of incentives market-based instruments and to promote the role of private industrial enterprises in shaping its regulatory profile within the acceptable boundaries of public health and environment
  • Provide for a comprehensive management program for water pollution focusing on pollution prevention
  • Promotes public information and education to encourage the participation of an informed and active public in water quality management and monitoring
  • Formulate and enforce a system of accountability for short and long term adverse environmental impact of a project, program or activity
  • Encourage civil society and other sectors, particularly labor, the academe and business undertaking environment-related activities in their efforts to organize, eradicate and motivate the people in addressing pertinent environmental issue and problems at the local and national levels
• Mandates the various government agencies to the following in support of the Act

  • Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Act as overall of the lead agency; prepare a National Water Quality Status Report; issue rules and regulations in the implementation of the Act
  • Department of Agriculture (DA) - Shall develop guidelines for re-use of wastewater for irrigation purposes or as soil conditioner or fertilizer; together with the PCG shall enforce water quality standards in marine waters
  • Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) - Shall enforce standards and regulations in offshore areas including the discharge of wastewater by ships; together with the DA shall enforce water quality standards in marine waters
  • Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - Together with the DENR and LGUs shall prepare a national program on sewerage and septage management
  • Department of Health (DOH) - Shall provide specific health criteria and data related to the promulgation, revision and enforcement of drinking water quality standards
  • Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System(MWSS) and Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) - Shall contribute inputs relative to the responsibilities of concessionaires and water districts in sewerage, septage and sanitation management
  • Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG), Philippine Information Agency (PIA) - Shall prepare and implement a comprehensive and continuing public education and information program
  • Department of Energy (DOE) - With the DENR shall formulate water quality criteria and standards specifically for geothermal exploration that encounters re-injection constraints, that provides adequate protection to other users of water bodies down streams of the geothermal projects
  • Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - With the DENR shall prepare a program for the evaluation, verification, development and public dissemination of pollution prevention and cleaner production technologies
• Important Provisions of RA 9275


  • Discharging or depositing any water pollutants to the water body, or such which will impede natural flow in the water body
  • Discharging, injecting or allowing to enter into the soil, anything that would pollute groundwater
  • Operating facilities that discharge regulated water pollutants without the valid required permits
  • Disposal of potentially infectious medical waste into sea by vessels
  • Unauthorized transport or dumping into waters of sewage sludge or solid waste
  • Transport, dumping or discharge of prohibited chemicals, substances or pollutants listed under Toxic Chemicals, Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act (Republic Act 6969)
  • Discharging regulated water pollutants without the valid required discharge permit pursuant to this Act
  • Noncompliance of the LGU with the Water Quality Framework and Management Area Action Plan
  • Refusal to allow entry, inspection and monitoring as well as access to reports and records by the DENR in accordance with this Act
  • Refusal or failure to submit reports and/or designate pollution control officers whenever required by the DENR in accordance with this Act
  • Directly using booster pumps in the distribution system or tampering with the water supply in such a way to alter or impair the water quality
  • Operate facilities that discharge or allow to seep, willfully or through grave negligence, prohibited chemicals, substances, or pollutants listed under RA 6969, into water bodies
  • Undertake activities or development and expansion of projects, or operating wastewater treatment/sewerage facilities in violation of PD 1586 and its IRR