WATER BODIES IN THE PHILIPPINES: Classification according to beneficial use

The Environmental Management Bureau projected a classification of one thousand nineteen (1,019) water bodies in the country according to beneficial use by CY 2019. Seven hundred ninety one of these are already classified according to beneficial use and two hundred twenty eight (228) are targeted to be classified until CY 2019.

The identification of these one thousand nineteen (1,019) water bodies is listed according to regional distribution and location by province.

The classification according to beneficial use of seven hundred ninety one (791) water bodies from the identified one thousand nineteen (1,019) water bodies as well as the identified Water Quality Management Areas (WQMAs) and its respective classifications are integrated in the aforementioned information.

The classification serves as a benchmark, hence water bodies and its tributaries within WQMAs shall keep its water quality within the Water Quality Guidelines conforming to the water body’s classification (e.g., Class C or Class SC) or even improve the quality to higher classification (e.g., from C to B or SC to SB). A WQMA Action Plan shall be prepared in order to address water quality issues and problems in the area and later result to the improvement or better water quality of the said water body.

To date, there are thirty seven (37) officially- designated WQMAs, including the areas within the jurisdiction of LLDA which was designated as one management area by virtue of the Clean Water Act.

The water quality is assessed based on the set beneficial use as defined in DENR Administrative Order Number 2016-08 (Water Quality Guidelines and General Effluent Standards).

Below are Tables 1 and 2 for the water body classification and usage of freshwater and marine waters, respectively.

Table 1.

Water Body Classification and Usage of Freshwater
	INTENDED BENEFICIAL USE
CLASS AA	Public Water Supply Class I – Intended primarily for waters having watersheds, which are uninhabited and/or otherwise declared as protected areas, and which require only approved disinfection to meet the latest PNSDW
CLASS A	Public Water Supply Class II – Intended as sources of water supply requiring conventional treatment (coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection) to meet the latest PNSDW
CLASS B	Recreational Water Class I – Intended for primary contact recreation (bathing, swimming, etc.)
CLASS C	1.Fishery Water for the propagation and growth of fish and other aquatic resources 2.Recreational Water Class II – For boating, fishing or similar activities 3.For agriculture, irrigation and livestock watering
CLASS D	Navigable waters

Table 2.

Water Body Classification and Usage of Marine Waters
CLASSIFICATION	INTENDED BENEFICIAL USE
CLASS SA	1.Protected Waters – Waters designated as national or local marine parks, reserves, sanctuaries and other areas established by law (Presidential Proclamation 1801 and other existing laws), and/or declared as such by appropriate government agecncy, LGUs, etc. 2.Fishery Water Class I – Suitable for shellfish harvesting for direct human consumption
CLASS SB	1.Fishery Water Class II – Waters suitable for commercial propagation of shellfish and intended as spawning areas for milkfish (Chanos chanos) and similar species 2.Tourist Zones – For ecotourism and recreational activities 3.Recreational Water Class I – Intended for primary contact recreation (bathing, swimming, skin diving, etc.)
CLASS SC	1.Fishery Water Class III – For the propagation and growth of fish and other aquatic resources and intended for commercial and sustenance fishing 2.Recreational Water Class II – For boating, fishing or similar activities 3.Marshy and/or mangrove areas declared as fish and wildlife sanctuaries
CLASS SD	Navigable waters

Classification means the categorization of all water bodies taking into account the existing quality of the body of water and most beneficial existing and future use of said bodies of water and lands bordering them, such as for residential, agricultural, aquacultural, commercial, industrial, navigational, recreational, wildlife conservation and aesthetic purposes, among others.

Beneficial use means the use of the environment or any element or segment thereof conducive to public or private welfare, safety and health; and shall include, but not be limited to, the use of water for domestic, municipal, irrigation, power generation, fisheries, livestock raising, industrial, recreational and other purposes.

Use of water for domestic purposes means the utilization of water for drinking, washing, bathing, cooking or other household needs, home gardens and watering of lawns or domestic animals;
Use of water for municipal purposes means the utilization of water for supplying water requirements of the community;
Use of water for irrigation means the utilization of water for producing agricultural crops;
Use of water for power generation – means the utilization of water for producing electrical or mechanical power;
Use of water for fisheries means the utilization of water for the propagation of cultured fish as a commercial enterprise;
Use of water for livestock raising means the utilization of water for large herds or flocks of animals raised as a commercial enterprise;
Use of water for industrial purposes means the utilization of water in factories, industrial plants and mines, including the use of water as an ingredient of a finished product; and
Use of water for recreational purposes means the utilization of water for swimming pools, bath houses, boating, water skiing, golf courses and other similar facilities in resorts and other places of recreation.