Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by Hon. Anthony Peter “Onyx” D. Crisologo 
AN ACT   
MANDATING THE USE OF GRAY WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM 
IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BUILDINGS  
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In an article published by the World Health Organization, it stated that 
1 out 10 Filipinos does not have access to improved water resources. This is 
due to the ongoing water scarcity that also causes adverse effects to the 
sustainable development and health of the country.  With the issue of 
1
climate change, coupled with the growing population of the country, water 
crisis is deemed to worsen through the years.  
The importance of having access to sufficient supply of water is 
emphasized as we continue to fight against Covid-19. According to the 
Manila Times, water is critical in combating the perils posed by the 
pandemic, noting that the first line of protection entails handwashing and 
maintaining the cleanliness of our homes.   This bill seeks to encourage 
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greater water conservation efforts by reducing water waste and optimizing 
the available resources to avoid excessive use of ground water.  Water is 
essential for public health, sanitation, and many other domestic purposes that 
involve our daily activities. It is imperative that we take water conservation 
as an urgent concern and safeguard our resources to ensure the sustained 
development and protection of our country. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.  
ANTHONY PETER “ONYX” D. CRISOLOGO 
Representative 
First District, Quezon City 
 “Water shortage in the Philippines threatens sustainable development and health.” World Health
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Organization, 2019, https://www.who.int/philippines/news/feature-stories/detail/water-shortage-in-the-philippines-
threatens-sustainable-development-and-health, (accessed April 7, 2021)
 Tolentino Amado S., Jr. “Health crisis and the looming water crisis.” Manila Times, 2020, https://
2
www.manilatimes.net/2020/09/26/opinion/columnists/health-crisis-and-the-looming-water-crisis/772130/, (accessed 
April 13, 2021)
April 23, 2021
10:33 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by Hon. Anthony Peter “Onyx” D. Crisologo 
AN ACT   
MANDATING THE USE OF GRAY WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM 
IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BUILDINGS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled. 
SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “Gray 
Water Treatment System Act of 2021.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared a policy of 
the state to promote the conservation of its natural resources through the 
creation of policies that mandate the development and use of water 
management plans in public and private establishments.  
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms - For purposes of this Act, the 
following terms are defined:  
a. Gray water - “Water from the kitchen, bath and/or laundry which,
generally, does not contain significant concentrations of
excreta.” (World Health Organization, 2016, p. ix).3
b. Gray water system - A mechanism that filters gray water to
eliminate contaminants allowing it to be reused.
c. Building - This refers to all public and private establishments with
a minimum water consumption of 50 cubic meters per day.
SECTION 4. Coverage - All new and existing buildings with a 
minimum water consumption of 50 cubic meters per day shall be covered by 
this Act.  
SECTION 5. Compulsory Installation of Gray Water Treatment 
System - All public and private establishments with a minimum water 
consumption of 50 cubic meters per day shall install a Gray Water Treatment 
 “Sanitation Safety Planning.” World Health Organization, 2016, https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/
3
10665/171753/9789241549240_eng.pdf;jsessionid=4DA4888B8AC13F9E0CF7E63857B89974?
sequence=1, (accessed April 8, 2021)
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system to reduce the use of clean water for toilets, urinals, and subsurface 
irrigation. 
 
Upon the implementation of this Act, all new establishments shall be 
required to present a water management plan that includes the installation of 
Gray Water Treatment System, to be reviewed by the Building Official of the 
concerned city/municipal government, as a prerequisite for the issuance of a 
building permit.  
 
Further, all existing establishments shall install a Gray Water 
Treatment System within six (6) months  from the effectivity of this Act.  
 
SECTION 6. Reuse of Gray Water - Upon the installation of the 
Gray Water Treatment System, the management of the building shall ensure 
that no gray water shall be used for human consumption. 
 
SECTION 7. Inspection - Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of 
Occupancy to new buildings, the city/municipal government shall conduct a 
site inspection to ensure that a Gray Water Treatment System is in place. 
 
Further, the annual building inspection, as stated under Section 207 
“Duties of the Building Official” of the PD 1096 National Building Code, 
shall include a comprehensive inspection of the Gray Water Treatment 
System, to be conducted by the city/municipal government issuing the 
permit, to ensure that the system is functional and in operation.  
 
SECTION 8. Penalty - Failure to comply with the provisions of this 
Act shall result to the cancellation of the certificate of occupancy and/or 
sanitary permit relevant to the renewal of business permits.  
 
SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The city/
municipal government in coordination with Metropolitan Waterworks and 
Sewerage System, and in consultation with the Department of Science and 
Technology and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 
shall promulgate the rules and regulations of this Act. 
 
SECTION 10. Separability Clause - If any of the sections or 
provisions of this Act is held invalid, all other provisions not affected shall 
remain valid.  
 
SECTION 11.  Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations or other issuances or parts thereof contrary or 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or 
modified accordingly.  
  
 
SECTION 12.  Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
days following the completion of its publication in two (2) national 
newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,