The state of water resources in the Philippines - Greenpeace

As stated in the EMB report, domestic wastewater discharges contribute highest
to the BOD load as the lack of sewage treatment system allows more than 90
percent of inadequately treated domestic sewage to be discharged into surface
waters, which contain bacteria and viruses that threaten human life.
Geographically, data show that one-third (30 percent) of BOD generation comes
from Metro Manila and Region IV alone, at 18 and 15 percent, respectively (PEM,
2003).
Agricultural wastewater
Agriculture and livestock activities include the raising or production of hogs,
chicken, cattle, and other dairy farming activities, all of which generate high
organic wastewater. A number of these farms, including backyard animal farms,
have no appropriate wastewater treatment facilities. This is considered as the
major source of pollution in rural areas (EMB, 2006; PEM, 2003).
Data also show that the major sources of agricultural runoffs include organic
wastes such as decayed plants, livestock manure, and dead animals; soil loss in
the form of suspended solids; and pesticides and fertilizer residues (PEM, 2003).
Apart from pollution of surface waters, there are studies that show the impacts of
using agrochemical inputs on groundwater resources, especially during the wet
season (Varca, L, 2002).
Regions IV and I generate the highest load of agricultural BOD accounting for 13
and 12 percent of the total agricultural BOD generation, respectively (PEM,
2003).
Industrial wastewater
Reports show that the volume and characteristics of industrial effluents vary by
type of industry and are influenced by different factors such as production
processes and the scale of production used.
Industries that are found to be water-intensive, i.e. food and dairy manufacturing,
pulp, paper and paperboard products, and textile products, correspondingly
discharge large amounts of wastewater (PEM, 2003).
Most of the water pollution-intensive industries are in National Capital Region,
Calabarzon, and Region III. Food manufacturing industries, piggeries, and
slaughterhouses are the main sources of organic pollution (PEM, 2004).
A report from a study conducted by the United Nations Industrial Development
Organization (UNIDO) in 1999 emphasizes that the situation is even more critical
with regard to hazardous wastes. In the said report, approximately 2,000 cubic
meters of solvent wastes, 22,000 tons of heavy metals, infectious wastes,
biological sludge, lubricants, and intractable wastes, as well as 25 million cubic
meters of acid/alkaline liquid wastes are improperly disposed of annually in the
Metro Manila area alone.
GREENPEACE | The state of water in the Philippines 19