Water supply and sanitation in the Philippines is characterized by achievements and challenges.

Among the achievements are a

high access to an improved water source of 92% in 2010; the creation of financially sustainable water service providers ("Water
Districts") in small and medium towns with the continuous long-term support of a national agency (the "Local Water Utilities
Administration" LWUA); and the improvement of access, service quality and efficiency in Manila through two high-profle water
concessions awarded in 1997. The challenges include limited access to sanitation and in particular to sewers; high pollution of water
resources; often poor drinking water quality and poor service quality; a fragmentation of executive functions at the national level
among numerous agencies; and a fragmentation of service provision at the local level into many small service providers. [13]
According to the Joint Monitoring Program (JMP) for Water Supply and Sanitation of UNICEF and WHO, access to an improved
water source increased from 85% in 1990 to 92% in 2010. Sanitation has long been regarded as a private responsibility, resulting in
almost no connections to a sewerage system.[14]
Independent surveys estimate a lower access rate using a narrower definition of supply. One estimate indicates that in 2000 only
63% of the population had access to publicly provided drinking water, with the rest relying on self-supply.[15]
Service quality[edit]
Continuity of supply[edit]
In 2004, water supply was available on average for 18 hours each day in the West Zone of Metro Manila and 21 hours in the East
Zone. According to their respective websites, the utility responsible for water supply in the East Zone of Metro Manila increased 24hour water from 26% in 1997 to 98% in 2007, [2] whereas in the West Zone, 42% of the customers had an uninterrupted supply in
2007.[3] In a 2004 sample of 45 water service providers with different management models and sizes, the National Water Resources
Board (NWRB) found an average availability of 21 hours per day. 27 providers offered 24-hour service.[16]
Drinking water quality[edit]
Especially in urban areas, water quality does not meet the standards set by the national government. As a result, waterborne
diseases remain a severe public health concern in the country. About 4,200 people die each year due to contaminated drinking
water.[15]
Wastewater treatment[edit]
Only 5% of the total population is connected to a sewer network. The vast majority uses flush toilets connected to septic tanks.
Since sludge treatment and disposal facilities are rare, most effluents are discharged without treatment. [15] According to the Asian
Development Bank, the Pasig River is one of the world's most polluted rivers. [12] In March 2008,Manila Water announced that a
wastewater treatment plant will be constructed in Taguig.[17] The first Philippine constructed wetland serving about 700 households
was completed in 2006 in a peri-urban area of Bayawan City which has been used to resettle families that lived along the coast in
informal settlements and had no access to safe water supply and sanitation facilities.[18]
Water resources[edit]
Pasig River, one of the world's most polluted rivers[12]
Although water resources become scarce in some regions and seasons, the Philippines as a whole has more than enough surface
and groundwater. However, the neglect of a coherent environmental policy led to the actual situation, in which 58% of the
groundwater is contaminated.[19] The main source of pollution is untreated domestic and industrial wastewater.[12] Only one third of
Philippine river systems are considered suitable for public water supply.[19] It is estimated that in 2025, water availability will be
marginal in most major cities and in 8 of the 19 major river basins. [20] Besides severe health concerns, water pollution also leads to
problems in the fishing and tourism industries.[21] The national government recognized the problem and since 2004 has sought to
introduce sustainable water resources development management (see below).[22]
Water use[edit]
In 2000, as a whole 28.52 billion m of water were withdrawn from various sources in the Philippines, of which 74% were used for
agricultural purposes. Industry used another 9%, leaving 17% or 4.8 billion m for domestic consumption, [23] resulting in an average
water production of 175 liters per day per capita (l/d/c). [6] In a 2004 sample of 45 water service providers, the NWRB found an
average consumption of 118 l/d/c. The highest consumption was recorded in the East Zone of Metro Manila with 232 l/d/c. [24]