NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
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)
SENAJ 
S. No.
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*22 JUL 13 P4 38
RFrFfvmgy-
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
MANDATING THE INSTALLATION OF GRAY WATER TREATMENT 
SYSTEMS/FACILITIES IN BUILDINGS AND IMPOSING PENALTIES FOR 
VIOLATION THEREOF
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Metro Manila is the main economic engine of the country. It accounts for 
36.0% of the largest share of Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), which 
caters to nearly 12.88 million residents. The water demand of this capital Is primarily 
sourced from the Umiray-Angat-Ipo or the Angat system, which is conveyed through 
several tunnels to the various households, businesses and industries in Manila.1
However, recent events have demonstrated that Metro Manila is on the brink 
of a water crisis. This was demonstrated when Manila Water suddenly stopped 
delivering water in the first quarter of 2019, causing shortages in Marikina, Pasig, 
Quezon City, Taguig, Mandaiuyong, and San Juan.2 Intermittent shortages have 
occurred since that point. Moreover, just in the first quarter of this year, water 
outage for several days has been experienced by residents of Muntinlupa, Las Pinas, 
Parahaque, Pasay, Bacoor, Imus, and Cavite as well as the municipalities of 
Noveleta and Rosario.3
The Initial water interruptions were blamed on the drying up of the La Mesa 
watershed due to the El Nino phenomenon. However, a wider view would Indicate 
that there was a failure to build new sources of water to catch up with Metro 
Manila's growing population. For example, Manila Water has been noted to receive
1 Asian Development Bank (ADB). "Economic Analysis of the Angat Water Transmission Improvement 
Project". Retrieved from httDs://www.adb.ora/sites/default/files/linked-documents/46362-002-ea.pdf
2 Elemia, C. "Manila Water's 'surprise' service interruption affects parts of Metro Manila, Rizai" Rappler 
(08 March 2019). Retrieved from httus://www.rappler.coni//nation/225239-manila-water-surprise- 
service-interruption-affects-ncr-cities rizal-towns-march-2C 19
3 Ocampo, K. "MWSS tells Maynilad: Refund customers" Inquirer.netMarch 2022). Retrieved from 
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1561325/mwss-tells-maynilad-refund-customers


around 1,600 million liters per day (MLD) from the Angat system, but demand 
among customers has reached as high as 1,750 MLD.4
Thus, there is a need to identify new sources of water through conventional 
and non-coiiver.tional means On the non-conventional side, we :;hould seriously 
consider the installation of gray water treatment systems.
Gray water is wastewater that came from bathroom sinks, showers, bath 
tubs, washing machines and floor drains. While It may contain traces of dirt, food, 
greases, hair and chemicals, it is devoid of fecal content. This makes it a safe and 
beneficial source of irrigatlonal water with the use of a treatment system and 
appropriate measures.
For its treatment system, a dual-plumbing system is required to segregate the 
reusable gray water from what we call the blackwater, which is water contaminated 
with hazardous fecal content. Only wastewater from cleaner sources would be used 
for treatment and irrigatlonal purposes. This process imitates the biological 
purification and sanitation processes which has less negative impact on the 
environment compared to commercially engineered water purification treatment 
systems. Proper treatment, operations, and maintenance are needed when handling 
gray water outputs.
According to the Guide to Sanitation Safety Planning In the Philippines by the 
Asian Development Bank, sanitation safety planning (SSP) will help an operator of a 
sanitation system maximize the health benefits and minimize the health risks of the 
treatment system. The SSP Manual published by the World Health Organization 
(WHO) in 2015 provides practical step-by-step guidance in the Implementation of the 
2006 WHO guidelines for the Safe Use of Wastewater, Excreta and Gray water.
The practice and use of gray water Is increasing in other countries. In Japan 
for example, they have adapted hand basin urinals in residential properties that hich 
flushes the bowl using the water from hand washing as a form cf water recycling. In 
Tokyo, gray water recycling is mandatory for buildings with an area of 30,000 square 
meters or buildings with a potential reuse of a 100 cubic meters per day.
Graywater treatment is also utilized In Jordan. Due to the water scarcity in the 
country of Jordan, there has been a great gap and shortfall In their supply and 
demand chain when It comes to water supply, and therefore. Gray water treatment 
system not only minimizes freshwater usage but also reduces the amount of 
wastewater entering sewers or treatment systems.
4 Punongbayan, JC. "The economics of Metro Manila's burgeoning water crisis" Rappler{13 March, 
2019). Retrieved from httDs://www.raDDler.com/thouQht-leaders/225590-economics-metro-manila- 
water-shortaae


sought.
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is eagerly
^ Jf GRACE POE
/ d,


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SEN 
S. No
Senate
*22 JUL13 P4 38
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
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 House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assem bled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. □ This Act shall be known as "77?6) Gray Water
2 
Treatment and Reuse A ct"
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. □ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
4 
conserve, to the fullest extent possible, its water resources, by proactively promoting
5 
the utilization of alternative sources of water. In line with this, the State shall ensure
6 
that all buildings within its territory are properly equipped with treatment
7 
facilities/systems that will enable them to efficiently maximize the use of the water
8 
sources at their disposal.
9 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. □ As used in this Act, the following terms shall
10 
mean:
11 
(a) "Gray water" - refers to wastewater which, though not potable, is
12 
understood as not pathologically infectious and is not contaminated
13 
with fecal matter, which may be used for watering plants, laundry,
14 
flushing toilets, cleaning, and other uses not related to human
15 
consumption;
16 
(b) "Gray water treatment system"- refers to any appliance, equipment, or
17 
combination thereof designed to remove pathogens from gray water


1 
and render the same suitable for reuse on-site in toilets, urinals, or
2 
subterranean irrigation systems;
3 
(c) "Blackwater" - wastewater that has been contaminated with fecal
4 
matter; and
5 
(d) "Building"- Any structure built for the support, shelter, or enclosure of
6 
persons, animals, chattels, or property of any kind.
7 
Sec. 4. Installation of Gray Water Treatment Systems in AH Buildings. □
8 
Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, every owner of a building with a
9 
floor area of at least one thousand (1,000) square meters shall install therein a gray
10 
water treatment system with sufficient capacity to treat all gray water produced in
11 
the said building.
12 
Upon request by an owner of a building with a floor area of less than one
13 
thousand (1,000) square meters, the water utility servicing such building shall install
14 
therein a gray water treatment system with a capacity sufficient to treat all of the
15 
gray water produced in the said building. The costs of the system and its installation
16 
shall be borne by the owner of the building and, at the option of the building owner,
17 
may be repaid in installments to be included in the monthly bill; Provided thdX. each
18 
installment shall not exceed more than ten percent (10%) of the monthly bill.
19 
Sec. 5. Inclusion of a Gray Water System in Building Plans and Specifications.
20 
□ Upon effectivity of this Act, no building with a floor area of at least one thousand
21 
(1,000.00) square meters shall be permitted for construction unless the plans and
22 
specifications therefor provide for a gray water system with a capacity sufficient to
23 
treat all gray water produced in the contemplated building. Should the completed
24 
building fail to comply with such plans and specifications, the same shall not be
25 
permitted for occupancy and/or operation.
26 
Sec. 6. Reuse of Gray Water. □ Treated gray water shall not be reused for
27 
human consumption or for any purpose other than on-site in toilets, urinals, and
28 
subterranean irrigation.
29 
Sec. 7. Storage and Commingling with Other Water Sources- Gray water,
30 
whether treated or untreated shall not be comimingled with potable sources of water
31 
fit for human consumption. For entities who collect rainwater, only treated gray


1 
water may be commingled with such rainwater subject to rules and regulations of
2 
appropriate government agencies.
3 
Sec. 8. Pena! Provisions. □ The penalty of six (6) months and one (1) day to
4 
one (1) year imprisonment: a fine of not less than fift/ thousand pesos (Php
5 
50,000.00), but not more than one hundred thousand pesos (Php 100,000.00); or
6 
both, at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon:
7 
(a) Any owner of a building who fails to install a gray water system, as
8 
provided for under the first paragraph of Section 4 of this Act. In case the
9 
owner is a partnership or a corporation, the penalty shall be imposed upon
10 
the responsible partners or members of the board;
11 
(b)The proprietor, responsible partners, or responsible members of the board
12 
of water utilities which shall refuse to install a gray water system, as
13 
provided for under the second paragraph of Section 4 of this Act;
14 
(c) Any government officer or employee who shall permit the building or
15 
occupancy of any building in violation of Section 5 of this Act; and
16 
(d) Any person who stores and reuses gray water in violation of Sections 6 and
17 
7 of this Act.
18 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. □ If any provision of this Act is declared invalid
19 
or unconstitutional, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby
20 
shall continue to be in full force and effect.
21 
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. □ Any law, rule, and regulation or portion
22 
thereof contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act is hereby
23 
repealed or modified accordingly.
24 
Sec. 11. Effectivity. □ This Act shall take effect upon completion of its
25 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
26 
circulation.
Approved,