The state of water resources in the Philippines - Greenpeace

C. Ambient water quality standards
The Clean Water Act defines ambient water quality as the average water purity,
which is distinguished from discharge measurements taken at the source of
pollution. It is the general amount of pollution present in a broad area.
According to EMB, Philippine water quality is assessed based on set beneficial
use as defined in the DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 34, Series of 1990. It
further mentions that DAO 34 contains 33 parameters that define the desired
water quality per water body classification.
For purposes of classification or reclassification, the following minimum water
quality parameters are often used:
• Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
• pH
• Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
• Total Coliform organisms
These parameters appear to be applicable only for classification or
reclassification of surface waters (i.e. rivers, lakes, reservoirs) and do not apply
to groundwater resources. Instead, the Philippine National Standards for
Drinking Water or PNSDW is used as the standard for assessing the quality of
groundwater resources (EMB, 2006).
The PNSDW 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 (WHO, 2002). However,
the relevant parameters used for groundwater quality assessment are: fecal
coliform, nitrates, and salinity or chloride content (EMB, 2006).
The standard for TDS is 500 mg/L and a “negative” for Coliform. “Negative”
means total coliform must not be detectable in any 100 ml sample, while
“positive” means the presence of total coliform in the water sample (PEM, 2003).
Particular standards for bottled water have also been formulated. These
provisions are found in the Bureau of Food and Drugs Administrative Order 18-A,
1996 or the Standards of Quality and Requirements for the Processing,
Packaging and Labeling of Bottled Drinking Water. This Administrative Order
states that particular consideration should be given to the following potential
pollutants: bacteria, viruses, parasites, fertilizers, pesticides, hydrocarbons,
detergents, phenolic compounds, heavy metals, radioactive substances, and
other soluble organic and inorganic substances. It includes rules and regulations
that cover not only the quality of the product itself, but includes provisions
addressing the quality of source, production processes and facilities, including
handling and use of particular labels.
GREENPEACE | The state of water in the Philippines 35