Water and Waste Water Management

Ours is a watery world and we are walking sacks of seawater. Our make-up is not just coincidence. The
properties of water make it essential to life, and the properties of life make it dependent on water.

The presence of large amounts of liquid water on earth makes our planet unique in the solar system.
Most likely, it is the only planet capable of supporting life. The properties of water that make it uniquely
suited for the support of life also make it easy to pollute. Many chemical substances are soluble in
water. Thus, they are easily dispersed and are eventually scattered to nearly infinite dilution in the
ocean.

Some Unusual Properties of Water

Water is the most familiar and unusual compound on Earth and the common liquid on the surface of our
planet.

1. Ice, the solid form of water is less dense than liquid. It forms on the surface of lakes and
insulates the lower layers of the water that enable fish and other aquatic organisms to survive in winter
in the temperate zone.

2. Ice, being less dense than liquid water has dangerous consequences for living cells. As ice
crystals are formed the expansion ruptures and kills cells. The slower the cooling, the larger the crystals
of ice are and the more damage there is to the cell.

3. Water has a higher density than most other familiar liquids. Liquids that are less dense than
water and insoluble in water float on the surface of it.

4. Water has a high heat capacity. The heat capacity of any substance is the quantity of heat that
must flow into or out of a system to change 0 degree to 1 degree celsius. The vast amount of water on
the surface of the earth thus acts as a “ giant thermostat “ to moderate daily temperature variation.

5. Water has a high heat vaporization wherein a large amount of heat is required to evaporate a
small amount of water. It requires a large amount of body heat to dissipate by evaporation a small
amount of water perspiration from the skin. A large portion of heat that would otherwise heat up the
land is used to vaporize water from the surface of the lake or the sea.

6. The molecule of water is highly polar in the liquid and solid states. A water molecule is strongly
associated through hydrogen bonds because of its polarity.

7. Three-fourths of the surface of the earth is covered with water. About 2 x 10L of rainwater fall
on the earth each year, indeed a lot of water. Nearly 98%of water on earth is seawater unfit for drinking
and not even suitable for most industrial process. Less than 2% of the water is frozen in the polar ice
caps, leaving less than 1% (about 3 x 10L) available as fresh water. The rate of use of water is increasing
rapidly, and water is not always available where people are. Quite often too, freshwater supply is so
badly polluted that it is unfit for human use.

The Water Cycle

The distribution of water between the sea, ice caps, freshwater rivers, lakes and streams is fairly
constant. In a dynamic water cycle, water is constantly evaporating from both water and land surfaces,
and condenses into clouds and returns to earth in the form of rain, sleet and snow. The freshwater
becomes part of the ice caps, run off in streams and river and fills the lakes and underground reservoir.
The cycle serves to replenish out fresh water supply, leaving salts and other minerals behind as it
evaporates.

Biological Contamination

Even before, water was mostly local and largely biological. Human wastes were dumped on the ground
or into the nearest stream. Disease organisms were transmitted through food, water and direct contact.
This contamination of water supplies by microorganisms from human waste was a severe problem
throughout the world until about a hundred years ago. Unfortunately, water contamination is still
happening in some parts of the world.

Chemical Contamination: From Farm, Factory and Home

The industrial revolution added to the problem of water pollution. Factories were built on river banks
and chemicals and other wastes from these factories were dumped into streams. At present, chemical
contamination are caused by the use of fertilizers and pesticides and oil spills in the ocean, estuaries and
rivers. Acids enter waterways from miners, factories and from acid rain. Household chemicals such as
detergents, solvents etc also contribute to water pollution. Rain water, a natural water isn’t all water, it
include little dissolved oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide that come from the atmosphere. As water
moves along or beneath the surface of the earth, it dissolves minerals, salt and other materials making
the water salty. Water containing these ions is called hard water.

Ecological Cycle of Water

Consider water pollution from the point of view of a fish. The fish is in the water to produce organic
wastes. The bacteria break down these wastes into inorganic materials. These inorganic materials serve
as nutrients to the growth of algae. Fish eat the algae, balance is established, and the cycle is complete.
This is a biological cycle to explain the breakdown of materials, the processes of growth, and the role of
nutrients.

People disrupt this biological cycle by dumping the sewage of organic wastes into the water. In breaking
these organic wastes, the bacteria consume all the dissolved oxygen and the fish die. Other materials
that destroy the ecological cycle are phosphates from detergents, fertilizers, runoffs, pesticides,
radioisotopes, toxic metals and plastic.

GroundWater Contamination

Toxic chemicals have been found in the groundwater supply in many communities. The wells are
contaminated by wastes from the production of nerve, gas, pesticides, wood preservatives and other
industrial wastes.

Chemicals buried in dumpsites many years ago have now infiltrated the groundwater supply. Common
contaminants are hydrocarbon solvents such as benzene and toluene and chlorinated hydrocarbon like
carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, methylene chloride and trichloroethylene used as a dry cleaning
solvent.

These compounds are suspected to be carcinogens.

Another major source of ground water contamination is LUST- an acronym for “Leaking Underground
Storage Tanks“

Example: gasoline tanks will last for about 15 years before they rush through and begin to leak. As many
as 200 000 of these tanks may be leaking now.

Wastewater Treatment Plants

Treatment of wastewater involves the use of treatment plants and various methods to remove
impurities and the dissolved contaminants making the water safe for drinking. The methods used are as
follows:

1. Primary Sewage Treatment

2. Secondary Waste Water Treatment Activated Sludge Method

3. Advanced Treatment or Tertiary Treatment

After removing the effluents from sewage plants, water is treated with chlorine to kill the pathogenic
microorganisms. The chlorine is also used to treat drinking water.

The use of ozone is more expensive than using chlorine but less of it is needed and it kills viruses on
which chlorine has little if any effect. It is known to be 100 times as effective as chlorine for killing polio
viruses.

Reason for Severe Water Shortage

There are several reasons for severe water shortage, a long-range environmental problem facing our
nation.

1. Rapidly increasing population

2. Rising demand by agriculture, industry and cities

3. Urban use and waste of water

4. Unequal distribution of water

5. Pollution— contamination of lakes, streams and underground water.

Your Part in Saving Water

Here is a list of practical measures on how to save water at home that could save a billion of gallons of
precious water every year (Culled from the California Water Resources- Save Water 1982)

In the Bathroom

1. Take shorter showers.

2. Don’t use the toilet as waste basket.

3. Don’t let the water run while brushing your teeth.

4. Don’t let the water run while shaving.

5. Repair any leak promptly

6. If you replace your toilet, install a low water unit.

7. Place brisk or plastic bottles filled with water in your toilet save one to two liters every time you
flush.

8. Install a low-flow shower head.

In the Kitchen

1. Wash only full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher.

2. If you wash dishes by hand don’t let the water run.

3. Cool your drinking water in the refrigerator.

4. Don’t use water-wasting garbage disposals.

5. Stop those leaks. Leaking faucets and wasteful people are robbing the cities of scarce water
supply. A small leak ( 80drips/minute ) waste 26.51 ( 7 gallons ) of water daily.

Outside your Home

1. Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways, sidewalks and step.

2. Use an “on-off “spray nozzle on your hose.

3. Wash your car with a bucket of water; use a hose only to rinse.

4. Water your lawn and garden only during the cool of the day or during the evening. Older trees
and shrubs do not often required irrigation. Plants are frequently overwatered.

5. Remove water-stealing weeds from the lawn and garden.

6. Use fertilizers sparingly; they increase the need of plants for water.

7. Apply a much between rows in your garden to hold the soil moisture.

What you should know about the clean water act

( From the Water Management Section EMB-DENR, Quezon City )

Why the Need for the Clean Water Act

As early as 1996, the monitoring of the county’s rivers showed that only 51% of the classified rivers still
meet the standard for their most beneficial use. The rest were already polluted from domestic,
industrial and agricultural sources.

Studies point to the fact that domestic wastewater is the principal cause of organic pollution (at 48% ) of
most of our water bodies. Yet, only 3 percent of investments in water supply and sanitation go to
sanitation and sewage treatment.

A recent World Bank report indicated that Metro Manila was second to the lowest in sewer connections
among major cites in Asia and rated less than 7% compared 20% for Katmandu, Nepal and 30% for
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Thirty one percent (31% ) of all illnesses in the country is attributed to polluted waters. Clearly, to
ensure access to clean water for all Filipinos, it is imperative that the government put together a
comprehensive strategy to protect water quality

What is the Clean Water Act?

The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (Republic Act No. 9275) aims to protect the country’s water
bodies from pollution from land-based sources (industries and commercial establishment, agriculture,
community/household activities.) It provides for a comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent
and minimize pollution through a multi-sectoral and participatory approach involving all the
stakeholders.

Highlights of the Clean Water Act

How will water quality be managed?

Management of water quality will either be based on watersheds, river basins or water resources
region. Water quality management areas with similar hydrological, hydrogeological, meteorological, or
geographic conditions which affect the reaction and diffusion of pollutants in water bodies are to be
designated by the DENR in the coordination with the National Water Resources Board ( NWRB )

Who will manage these area?

Management will be localized. Multi sectoral governing boards will be established to manage water
quality issue within their jurisdiction.

Who are the members of the Governing Boards?

Governing Boards shall be composed of representatives of mayors and governors as well as well as local
government units representatives of relevant, national government agencies, duly registered non-
government organizations, the concerned water utility sector and business sector.

What are the functions of the Governing Boards?

The Governing Board will formulate strategies to coordinate policies necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act. They will create a multi sectoral group to establish and effect water quality
surveillance and monitoring.

How will discharges of wastewater to be controlled?

All owners or operators of facilities that discharge wastewater are required to get a permit to discharge
from the DENR or Laguna Lake Development Authority. Existing industries without permit are given 12
months from the effectively of implementing rules and regulations ( IRR ) promulgated pursuant to this
Act to secure a permit to discharge.

How will domestic wastewater be addressed?

The Department of Public Works and Highways ( DPWH ) in coordination with local government units
will prepare a national program on sewage and septage management not later than 12 months from
effectivity of this Act. A priority list will likewise be prepared which will be the basis for allotment of
funds on an annual basis by the national government for the construction and rehabilitation of required
facilities.

On the other hand, LGUs are to provide the land including the road-right-of-way for the construction of
sewage/or septage treatment facilities and raise funds for the operations and maintenance of said
facilities.

The Department of Health ( DOH ) will formulate guidelines and standards for the collection, treatment
and disposal of sewage as well as the guidelines for the establishment and operation of a centralized
sewage treatment system. The MWSS and other agencies mandated to provide water supply and
sewerage facilities are required to connect existing sewage lines subject to the payment of sewerage
service charges/fees within 5 years following the effectivity of this Act.

All sources of sewage and septage are required to comply with the law.

How will the discharge of wastewater be discouraged?

Anyone discharging wastewater into a water body will have to pay a wastewater charge. This economic
instrument, which will be developed in consultation with all concerned stakeholders, is expected to
encouraged investments in cleaner production and pollution control technologies to reduce the amount
of pollutants generated and discharged.

Effluent trading per management area will also be allowed

Rewards will also be given to those whose wastewater discharge is better than the water quality criteria
of the receiving body of water. Fiscal and non fiscal incentives will likewise be given to the LGUs, water
district, enterprises, private entities and individuals who develop and undertake outstanding and
innovative projects in water quality management

What safeguards are provided for?

All possible discharges are required to put up an environment guarantee fund ( EGF ) as part of their
environmental management plan. The EGF will finance the conservation of watersheds and aquifers,
and the need of emergency response, clean up or rehabilitation.
What are the prohibited acts under R.A. 9275?

Among the others, the Act prohibits the following;

• Discharging or depositing any water pollutants to the water body that will impede the natural flow in
the water body.

• Discharging, injecting or allowing to enter the soil anything that would pollute underwater.

• Operating facilities that discharge regulated water pollutants without the required valid permit.

• 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, Nuclear Wastes Control Act ( Republic Act No. 6969 ).

• Discharged regulated water pollutants without the required valid discharged permit pursuant to this
Act.

• Non-compliance 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.

• Operating facilities that discharge or allow to seep, willfully or through grave negligence, prohibited
chemicals, substances or pollutants listed under R.A. No 6969 into water bodies.

• Undertaking activities, development and expansion of projects, or operating wastewater

treatment/sewage facilities in violation of P.D 1586 and it’s IRR.

What are the fines and penalties imposed to polluters?

The following are among the fines and penalties for violators of this Act and it’s IRR: Upon the
recommendation of the Pollution Adjudication Board ( PAB ), anyone who commits prohibited acts such
as discharging untreated wastewater into any water body will be fined with the everyday of violation,
the amount of not less than Php 10 000 but not more than Php 200 000.
Failure ti undertake clean-up operations willfully shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than two
years and not more than four years. This also include a fine of not less than Php 50 000 and not more
than Php 100 000 of per day violation. Failure or refusal to clean-up which results in serious injury or
loss if life or lead to irreversible contamination of surface, ground coastal and marine water shall be
punished with imprisonment of not less than 6 years and 1 day and not more than 12 years and a fine of
Php 500 000/day for each day for contamination or omission continues.

In cases of gross violation, a fine of not less than Php 500 000 but not more than Php 3,000,000 will be
imposed for each day of violation. Criminal charges will be also filed.

Who should implement the Clean Water Act?

The DENR is the primary government agency responsible for the implementation and enforcement of
this Act, with the support of other government organizations, local government units, non-government
organizations and the private sector.

Towards this end, the DENR will review and sent effluent standards, review and enforce water quality
guidelines, classify groundwater sources and prepare a national groundwater vulnerability map, classify
or reclassify water bodies, establish internationally accepted procedures for sampling and analysis,
prepare an integrated water quality management framework, and subsequently prepare 10 year
management plans for each water management area.

The roles of other key government agencies are:

• The Philippine Coasts Guard shall enforce water quality standards in marine waters, specifically from
offshore sources.

• The Department of Public Works and Highways through its attached agencies shall provide sewerage
and sanitation facilities, and the efficient and safe collection, treatment and disposal of sewage within
their area of jurisdiction.

• The Department of Agriculture shall formulate guidelines for the re-use of wastewater for irrigation
and other agricultural uses and for the prevention, control and abatement of pollution from agricultural
and aquaculture activities.

• The Department of Health shall set, revise and enforce drinking water quality standard.

• The Department of Science and Technology shall evaluate, verify, develop, and disseminate pollution
prevention and cleaner production technologies.
• The Department of Education, Commission On Higher Education, Department of Interior and Local
Government and the Philippine Information Agency shall prepare and implement a comprehensive and
continuing public education and information program.