DENR and Water Quality Management

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following devices is acceptable for measuring flow in open channels?

Doppler effect flow meter

Magnetic flow meter

Weir (correct)

Pitot tube

What do the General Effluent Standards of 2016 (DAO 2016-08) base their parameters on?

Volume of wastewater discharged

Type of wastewater treatment technology used

Industry category and classification of receiving water (correct)

Geographical location of the discharge point

What is the purpose of the effluent standard as stated in DAO 2016-08?

To eliminate all forms of pollution in industrial processes

To standardize the costs associated with wastewater treatment

To restrict concentrations of pollutants discharged into the environment (correct)

To monitor the temperature of discharged wastewater

Which of the following is NOT a type of flow measuring device mentioned for closed pipes?

Weir Signup and view all the answers

According to DAO 2016-08, what does the scope of the General Effluent Standard cover?

All point sources of pollution regardless of volume Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the DENR regarding water bodies?

Prepare a national groundwater vulnerability map Signup and view all the answers

What does a wastewater discharge permit authorize?

The release of treated effluent into a water body Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes waste in liquid state containing pollutants?

Effluent Signup and view all the answers

Which procedure is required for regulated industries regarding their wastewater?

Installing a flow metering device at the outlet Signup and view all the answers

According to the DENR regulations, how long is the application processing period for a wastewater discharge permit?

30 working days Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the integrated water quality management framework prepared by DENR?

To ensure effective monitoring and management of water resources Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following activities is NOT directly related to the role of DENR in water quality management?

Granting environmental clearances for construction Signup and view all the answers

What action is defined as the act of releasing any material into a water body?

Discharge Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a parameter included in the updated Water Quality Guidelines?

Ammonia as NH3-N Signup and view all the answers

What is the application fee for a permit according to the fee schedule?

Php 55.00 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following substances is regulated under the General Effluent Standards?

Fecal Coliform Signup and view all the answers

In the significant effluent quality parameters, which of the following is listed?

Boron Signup and view all the answers

What is the legal research fee (LRF) for permits according to the fee structure?

Php 10.00 Signup and view all the answers

Which table outlines significant effluent quality parameters per sector?

Table 8 of DAO 2016-08 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a parameter mentioned in the guidelines?

Mercury as Total Mercury Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following substances is part of the effluent standards listed in DAO 2021-19?

Copper as Dissolved Copper Signup and view all the answers

What does the variable R represent in the Wastewater Discharge formula?

Rate per kilogram of discharge Signup and view all the answers

Which parameter is NOT a priority pollutant in the context of the Wastewater Discharge formula?

Nitrate Signup and view all the answers

If a company has an average water quality concentration of 30 mg/L for abstracted water and 80 mg/L for effluent, what is the value of L₁ for the calculation?

0.288 Signup and view all the answers

How many days in a year does the company discharge if it operates 6 days a week for 12 months?

288 days Signup and view all the answers

What is the Wastewater Discharge Fee (WDF) for a company discharging at a rate of 120 cu.m/day over 288 days if the net waste load is calculated at 0.288 kg/year?

Php 1.44 Signup and view all the answers

In the equation for calculating L₁, what does 'Qf' represent?

Average daily flow measurement Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is used to convert mg/L measurements to kg/year in the Wastewater Discharge calculations?

0.001 Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of the variable 'Nf' in the Wastewater Discharge formula?

It represents the total number of discharge days in a year. Signup and view all the answers

What is the penalty for failing to undertake clean-up that results in serious injury or water contamination?

Imprisonment of not less than 6 years and a fine of PhP 500,000.00 per day Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions is NOT considered illegal under the provisions mentioned?

Operating wastewater facilities in compliance with regulations Signup and view all the answers

What type of negligence constitutes illegal discharge as per the provisions?

Willful or gross negligence Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum fine for discharging prohibited pollutants without a valid discharge permit?

Less than PhP 10,000.00 but not more than PhP 200,000.00 Signup and view all the answers

What consequence does a local government unit (LGU) face for non-compliance with the Water Quality Framework?

Sanctions imposed on local government officials Signup and view all the answers

What action is required of a local government unit regarding Pollution Control Officers?

Failure or refusal to designate Pollution Control Officers is a violation Signup and view all the answers

What is the response to a refusal to allow entry for inspection and monitoring?

It can lead to fines or other repercussions Signup and view all the answers

What is considered gross negligence in the operation of waste facilities?

Willfully allowing discharge of prohibited substances Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Role of DENR

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) plays a key role in regulating water quality and pollution control.
The DENR reviews and sets effluent standards for various industries, enforcing water quality guidelines.
The DENR classifies and reclassifies water bodies and groundwater sources and produces a national groundwater vulnerability map.
The DENR is responsible for establishing methods and procedures for sampling and analyzing water quality.
The DENR develops an integrated water quality management framework and ten-year management plans for each water management area.

Wastewater Discharge Permits

Facilities that discharge regulated effluent into Philippine waters must secure a permit to discharge.
The DENR grants wastewater discharge permits as legal authorization to discharge wastewater.

Wastewater terminology

Wastewater is waste in a liquid state containing pollutants.
Effluent is a regulated discharge from a known source into a body of water or land, such as wastewater from manufacturing plants, industrial facilities, or domestic, commercial, and recreational facilities.
Discharge is the act of releasing any material into a water body or onto land from which it might flow or drain into water, including spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, or dumping.

Wastewater Discharge Permit Application

The application period for a wastewater discharge permit is 30 working days.

Acceptable Flow Measuring Procedures

Regulated industries are required to install flow metering devices at the outlet to monitor the volume of discharge.
The flow metering device must indicate a verifiable flow rate, preferably in metric units (m3/h).
Acceptable flow metering devices include weirs or flumes for open channels, variable area type, pitot tube type, magnetic type, Doppler effect flow meter for closed pipes.

General Effluent Standard of 2016

The Water Quality Guidelines (WQG) and General Effluent Standards (GES) of 2016 (DAO 2016-08) establish industry-specific, technology-based standards for the amount of industrial wastewater pollutants discharged into waters.
The parameters in the standards are based on the Industry Category and the standard value is based on the classification of the receiving body of water.

Effluent Standard

An effluent standard is a legal restriction or limitation on the quantities, rates, and concentrations of physical, chemical, or biological parameters in effluent that a point source is allowed to discharge into a body of water or land.

Scope and Coverage of DAO 2016-08

The General Effluent Standard (GES) applies to all point sources of pollution, regardless of volume, that discharge into receiving bodies of water or land.

Classification of Water Bodies

Water bodies are classified based on their intended uses and water quality.
Fresh water is classified into four categories: Class AA (raw water source), Class A (drinking water source), Class B (fisheries and recreation), and Class C (agricultural use).
Marine water is classified into three categories: Class SA (Shellfish culture), Class SB (Finfish culture and recreation), and Class SC (Industrial cooling and navigation).

Significant Effluent Quality Parameters per Sector

Table 8 of DAO 2016-08 outlines specific effluent quality parameters for different sectors.

Effluent Standards (Table 9 of DAO 2016-08)

Table 9 of DAO 2016-08 provides detailed effluent standards for specific parameters based on the classification of the receiving body of water.

Updated Water Quality Guidelines (WQG) and General Effluent Standards (GES) for Selected Parameters

DAO 2021-19 updated the Water Quality Guidelines (WQG) and General Effluent Standards (GES) for specific parameters, including ammonia as NH3-N, boron, copper as dissolved copper, fecal coliform, phosphate as phosphorus (total, reactive), and sulfate.

Permit Fee

Application Fees for a wastewater discharge permit consist of:
- Application Fee: Php 55.00
- Documentary Stamp Tax: PHP 30.00
- Legal Research Fee: PD1856 – Php 10.00

Wastewater Discharge Fee (WDF)

The wastewater discharge fee is imposed on all sources of wastewater discharge, including discharges from wastewater treatment plants (WTP) and sewage treatment plants (STP).
The formula for calculating the WDF is:
- WDF = L! × R
- Where:
  - R = rate per kilogram (Php/kg) - 5.00 per kg for priority pollutant parameter (e.g., BOD & TSS)
  - L! = net waste load (kg/year)
  - L! = (C! - C*) Q! × N! × 0.001
  - C! = average daily effluent concentration limit (mg/L) for priority pollutant
  - C* = average water quality concentration limit for priority pollutant of the abstracted or intake water
  - Q! = average daily volumetric flow measurement (m3/d)
  - N! = total number of discharge days in a year

Illegal Facilities and Penalties

The DENR imposes fines, damages, and penalties for violating the provisions of the Act and its implementing rules and regulations.
Violations include:
- Operating facilities that discharge or allow prohibited chemicals, substances, or pollutants.
- Undertaking activities or development and expansion of projects in violation of environmental regulations.
- Discharging regulated water pollutants without a valid discharge permit.
- Non-compliance with the Water Quality Framework and Management Area Action Plan.
- Refusal to allow entry, inspection, and monitoring.
- Refusal to allow access to relevant reports and records.
- Refusal or failure to submit reports when required.
- Refusal or failure to designate Pollution Control Officers.
- Directly using booster pumps in the distribution system or tampering with water supply.

Penalties

Penalties for violations of the Act can include fines ranging from Php 10,000 to PhP 200,000 per day of violation.
Failure to undertake clean-up can lead to imprisonment of up to 4 years and fines.
Failure or refusal to clean up resulting in serious injury or loss of life or irreversible water contamination can result in imprisonment of 6 to 12 years and fines.

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Description

This quiz explores the vital role of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in regulating water quality and managing wastewater in the Philippines. Learn about effluent standards, discharge permits, and the classification of water bodies. Test your knowledge about the DENR's efforts to protect water resources and public health.