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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._ 960

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
MANDATING THE INSTALLATION OF GRAY WATER TREATMENT
SYSTEMS/FACILITIES IN BUILDINGS AND IMPOSING PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATION THEREOF

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines is running dry. By 2040, the country is projected to face severe water
stress if no intervention is made. Metro Manila alone loses around 1,000 million liters of water
daily, much of it from inefficient usage and untreated wastewater. However, policy without

practice will not solve a problem of this scale. We must act decisively and sustainably.

In 2022, households spent PHP 59.37 billion on water, according to the Philippine
Statistics Authority. This is followed by the mining, manufacturing, and construction sectors,
which collectively spent PHP 47.12 billion, and the services sector, which spent PHP 38.32
billion. These figures highlight the growing financial and operational burden of water supply
on both domestic and industrial users.

In the same year, total freshwater withdrawals rose to 91.0 billion cubic meters from
89.0 billion cubic meters in 2021. The country's water stress level, defined as the proportion of
freshwater withdrawal to available freshwater resources, also increased from 27.2% to 27.8%,
remaining within the “low-level stress” classification of 25-50%. While still manageable, this

trend signals rising pressure on national water reserves.


This bill mandates the installation of gray water treatment systems in all new buildings,
and gradually in existing ones. Gray water (wastewater from sinks, showers, and laundries)
accounts for up to 60% of household water use and can be safely reused for flushing toilets,
irrigation, and other non-potable purposes. Instead of going to waste, this water can reduce

demand on our freshwater reserves and cut wastewater discharge into rivers and seas.

This measure is a step toward achieving climate resilience, driving infrastructure
innovation, and promoting sustainable urban development. It encourages both private sector

compliance and public accountability, contributing to a more water-secure future.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

CRISPIN DIEGO “PING” D. REMULLA


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 960

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
MANDATING THE INSTALLATION OF GRAY WATER TREATMENT
SYSTEMS/FACILITIES IN BUILDINGS AND IMPOSING PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATION THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION. 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the “Gray Water Treatment Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to conserve,
to the fullest extent possible, its water resources, by proactively promoting the utilization of
alternative sources of water. In line with this, the State shall ensure that all buildings within its
territory are properly equipped with treatment facilities/systems that will enable them to
efficiently maximize the use of the water sources at their disposal.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

(a) “Gray water” - refers to wastewater which, though not potable, is understood as
not pathologically infectious and is not contaminated with fecal matter, which
may be used for watering plants, laundry, flushing toilets, cleaning, and other
uses not related to human consumption;

(b) “Gray water treatment system” - refers to any appliance, equipment, or
combination thereof designed to remove pathogens from gray water and render
the same suitable for reuse on-site in toilets, urinals, or subterranean irrigation
systems;

(©) “Blackwater” - wastewater that has been contaminated with fecal matter: and


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(d) “Building” - Any structure built for the support, shelter, or enclosure of persons,
animals, chattels, or property of any kind.

SEC. 4. Installation of Gray Water Treatment Systems in All Buildings. - Within
one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, every owner of a building with a floor area of at
least one thousand (1,000) square meters shall install therein a gray water treatment system
with sufficient capacity to treat all gray water produced in the said building.

Upon request by an owner of a building with a floor arca of less than one thousand
(1,000) square meters, the water utility servicing such building shall install therein a gray water
treatment system with a capacity sufficient to treat all of the gray water produced in the said
building. The costs of the system and its installation shall be borne by the owner of the building
and, at the option of the building owner, may be repaid in installments to be included in the
monthly bill; Provided that each installment shall not exceed more than ten percent (10%) of
the monthly bill.

SEC. 5. Inclusion of a Gray Water System in Building Plans and Specifications. -
Upon effectivity of this Act, no building with a floor area of at least one thousand (1,000.00)
square meters shall be permitted for construction unless the plans and specifications therefor
provide for a gray water system with a capacity sufficient to treat all gray water produced in
the contemplated building. Should the completed building fail to comply with such plans and
specifications, the same shall not be permitted for occupancy and/or operation.

SEC. 6. Reuse of Gray Water. - Treated gray water shall not be reused for human
consumption or for any purpose other than on-site in toilets, urinals, and subterranean
irrigation.

SEC. 7. Storage and Commingling with Other Water Sources. - Gray water,
whether treated or untreated shall not be commingled with potable sources of water fit for
human consumption. For entities who collect rainwater, only treated gray water may be
commingled with such rainwater subject to rules and regulations of appropriate government
agencies.

SEC. 8. Implementation and Oversight. - The implementation and oversight of this
Act, including the enforcement of provisions related to the installation and maintenance of gray
water treatment systems and facilities in buildings, shall be the responsibility of the Water
Resource Management Office under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The Water Resource Management Office shall:

(a) Develop and issue guidelines and standards for the installation, operation, and
maintenance of gray water treatment systems in buildings.
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(b) Conduct inspections to ensure compliance with this Act and its implementing
rules and regulations.

SEC. 9. Penal Provisions. - The penalty of six (6) months and one (1) day to one (1)
year imprisonment; a fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos (Php 100,000.00), but
not more than three hundred thousand pesos (Php 300,000.00); or both, at the discretion of the
court, shall be imposed upon:

(a) Any owner of a building who fails to install a gray water system, as provided
for under the first paragraph of Section 4 of this Act. In case the owner is a
partnership or a corporation, the penalty shall be imposed upon the responsible
partners or members of the board;

(b) The proprietor, responsible partners, or responsible members of the board of
water utilities which shall refuse to install a gray water system. as provided for
under the second paragraph of Section 4 of this Act;

(c) Any government officer or employee who shall permit the building or
occupancy of any building in violation of Section 5 of this Act: and

(d) Any person who stores and reuses gray water in violation of Sections 6 and 7 of
this Act.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. — If any part, section or provision of this Act is held
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and
effect.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,