Water

Quality

Water Resources

Major River Basins in the Philippines

Water Quality

Refers to the chemical, physical, biological, and

radiological characteristics of water. It is a measure of
the condition of water relative to the requirements of
one or more biotic species and or to any human need or
purpose.

It is most frequently used by reference to a set of

standards against which compliance can be assessed.

The most common standards used to assess water

quality relate to health of ecosystems, safety of human
contact, and drinking water.

Categories

Human consumption
-Contaminants that may be in untreated water include
microorganisms such as viruses, protozoa and bacteria;
inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals; organic
chemical contaminants from industrial processes and
petroleum use; pesticides and herbicides; and radioactive
contaminants. Water quality depends on the local geology
and ecosystem, as well as human uses such as sewage
dispersion, industrial pollution, use of water bodies as a heat
sink, and overuse (which may lower the level of the water).

Categories

Industrial and domestic use

-Dissolved minerals may affect suitability of water for a
range of industrial and domestic purposes. The most
familiar of these is probably the presence of ions of
calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) which interfere
with the cleaning action of soap, and can form hard
sulfate and soft carbonate deposits in water heaters or
boilers. Hard water may be softened to remove these
ions. The softening process often substitutes sodium
cations.

Sampling and measurement

The complexity of water quality as a subject is reflected

in the many types of measurements of water quality
indicators. The most accurate measurements of water
quality are made on-site, because water exists in
equilibrium with its surroundings. Measurements
commonly made on-site and in direct contact with the
water source in question include temperature, pH,
dissolved oxygen, conductivity, oxygen reduction
potential (ORP), turbidity, and Secchi disk depth.

Sample collection
- More complex measurements are often made in a

laboratory requiring a water sample to be collected,

preserved, transported, and analyzed at another location.
The process of water sampling introduces two significant
problems:
1.

The first problem is the extent to which the sample may be

representative of the water source of interest. Many water sources
vary with time and with location. The measurement of interest may
vary seasonally or from day to night or in response to some activity
of man or natural populations of aquatic plants and animals.

2.

The second problem occurs as the sample is removed from the

water source and begins to establish chemical equilibrium with its
new surroundings - the sample container. Sample containers must
be made of materials with minimal reactivity with substances to be
measured; and pre-cleaning of sample containers is important.

Testing in response to natural disasters and

other emergencies

Inevitably after events such as earthquakes and

tsunamis, there is an immediate response by the aid
agencies as relief operations get underway to try and
restore basic infrastructure and provide the basic
fundamental items that are necessary for survival and
subsequent recovery. Access to clean drinking water and
adequate sanitation is a priority at times like this. The
threat of disease increases hugely due to the large
numbers of people living close together, often in squalid
conditions, and without proper sanitation.

The key basic water quality parameters that need to be

addressed in an emergency are bacteriological
indicators of fecal contamination, free chlorine residual,
pH, turbidity and possibly conductivity/total dissolved
solids. There are a number of portable water test kits on
the market widely used by aid and relief agencies for
carrying out such testing.

Chemical analysis

The simplest methods of chemical analysis are those measuring

chemical elements without respect to their form. Elemental
analysis for oxygen, as an example, would indicate a
concentration of 890,000 milligrams per litre (mg/L) of water
sample because water is made of oxygen. The method selected
to measure dissolved oxygen should differentiate between
diatomic oxygen and oxygen combined with other elements.

Direct measurements of water quality can be expensive, ongoing

monitoring programs are typically conducted by government
agencies. However, there are local volunteer programs and
resources available for some general assessment. Tools available
to the general public include on-site test kits, commonly used for
home fish tanks, and biological assessment procedures.

Real-time monitoring

Although water quality is usually sampled and analyzed

at laboratories, nowadays, citizens demand real-time
information about the water they are drinking. During
the last years, several companies are deploying
worldwide real-time remote monitoring systems for
measuring water pH, turbidity or dissolved oxygen
levels.

Drinking water indicators

-The following is a list of indicators often measured by
situational category:
Alkalinity
Color

of water

pH
Taste

and odor (geosmin, 2-Methylisoborneol (MIB), etc.)

Dissolved metals and salts (sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, manganese,
magnesium)
Microorganisms such as fecal coliform bacteria (Escherichia coli), Cryptosporidium,
and Giardia lamblia; see Bacteriological water analysis
Dissolved

metals and metalloids (lead, mercury, arsenic, etc.)

Dissolved organics: colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), dissolved organic
carbon (DOC)
Radon
Heavy metals
Pharmaceuticals
Hormone analogs

Environmental indicators
CHEMICAL INDICATORS

pH

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)

Chemical oxygen demand (COD)

Dissolved oxygen (DO)

Total hardness (TH)

Heavy metals

Nitrate

Orthophosphates

Pesticides

Surfactants

Environmental indicators
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS

Ephemeroptera

Plecoptera

Mollusca

Trichoptera

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

Coliform bacteria

Water Body Classification in the Philippines

Classification
Class AA

Beneficial Use
Public Water Supply Class 1. This
class is intended primarily for
waters having watersheds which
are uninhabited and otherwise
protected and which require only
approved disinfection in order to
meet the National standards for
Drinking Water (NSDW) of the
Philippines.

Class A

Public Water Supply Class 2. For

sources of water supply that will
require complete treatment
(coagulation, sedimentation,
filtration, and disinfection) in order
to meet the NSDW.

Class B

Recreational Water Class 1. For

primarily contact recreation such
as bathing, swimming, skin diving,
etc. (particularly those designated
for tourism purpose.)
a.Fishery Water for the propagation
and growth of fish and other
aquatic resources.
b.Recreational water class 2
(boating, etc)
c.Industrial Water supply class 1
(from manufacturing processes
after treatment)

Class C

Class D

1.For agriculture, irrigation, live

stocks watering, etc.)
2.Industrial Water supply class 2
(e.g. cooling, etc.)Other
3.inland waters by their quality
belong to this classification.

Classification
Class SA

Beneficial Use
1.Waters suitable for the
propagation survival and
harvesting of selfish, for
commercial purposes.
2.Tourist Zones and national
marine parks and reserves
established under Presidential
Proclamation No. 1801; existing
laws and/or declared as such
by appropriate government
agency.
3.Coral reef parks and reserves
designated by law and
concerned authorities.
4.Waters suitable for the
propagation survival and
harvesting of selfish, for
commercial purposes.
5.Tourist Zones and national
marine parks and reserves
established under Presidential
Proclamation No. 1801; existing
laws and/or declared as such
by appropriate government
agency.
6.Coral reef parks and reserves
designated by law and
concerned authorities.

Class SB

1.Recreational Water Class 1

(areas regularly used by the
public for bathing swimming,
skin diving, etc.)
2.Fishery Water class 3
(spawning areas for Chanos
chanos or Bangus and similar
species.

Class CS

1.Recreational Water class 3

(e.g. boating, etc.)
2.Fishery Water class 2
(commercial and sustenance
fishing).
3.Marchy and/or mangrove
areas declared as fish and
wildlife sanctuaries.

Class SD

1.Industrial Water supply class

2 (e.g. cooling, etc.)
2.Other coastal and marine
waters, by their quality, belong
to this classification.

Water Quality Criteria

Minimum Criteria for Surface Waters.All surface
waters of the country shall be free from:

1. Domestic, industrial, agricultural, or other man-induced non-thermal components of

discharges which, alone or in combination with other substances or in combination
with
other components of discharges (whether thermal or non-thermal)

That settle to form putrescent deposits or otherwise create a nuisance; or

That float as debris, scum, oil, or other matter in such amounts as to form nuisances; or

That produce color, odor, taste, turbidity, or other conditions in such degree as to create a
nuisance; or

That are acutely toxic; or

That are present in concentrations which are carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic to

human beings or to significant, locally occurring wildlife or aquatic species; or

That pose a serious danger to the public health, safety or welfare.

Water Quality Criteria

Minimum

Criteria for Surface Waters.All surface

waters of the country shall be free from:
2. Thermal components of discharges which alone, or in combination with other discharges
or components of discharges (whether thermal or non-thermal):

That produce conditions so as to create nuisance; or

That increase the temperature of the receiving body of water (RBW) so as to cause
substantial damage or harm to the aquatic life or vegetation therein or interfere with the
beneficial uses assigned to the RBW.

Water Quality Criteria

Water

Quality Criteria for Fresh Water

1. Water Quality Criteria for Conventional and Other

Pollutants Contributing to Aesthetics and Oxygen Demand for
Fresh Waters

Water Quality Criteria

Water

Quality Criteria for Fresh Water

2. Water Quality Criteria for Toxic and Other Deleterious

Substances for Fresh Waters (For the Protection of Public

Health)

Water Quality Criteria

Coastal and Marine Waters Criteria

1. Water Quality Criteria for Conventional and Other

Pollutants Affecting Aesthetics and Exerting Oxygen Demand
for Coastal and Marine Waters

Water Quality Criteria

Coastal and Marine Waters Criteria

2. Water Quality Criteria for Toxic and Other Deleterious

Substances for Coastal and Marine Waters (for the Protection
of Public Health)