Eighteenth Congress of the 
)
Republic of the Philippines 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
of tiK g»ftrf'tiirp
20 
J^N 29 P4X)9
s. No. 1302
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 the 2019, causing shortages in Marikina, Pasig, 
Quezon City, Taguig, Mandaluyong, and San Juan.2 Intermittent shortages have 
occurred since that point.
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 around 
1,600 million liters per day (MLD) from the Angat system, but demand among 
customers has reached as high as 1,750 MLD.3
Thus, there is a need to identify new sources of water through conventional 
and non-conventional means. On the non-conventional side, we should seriously 
consider the installation of gray water treatment systems.
1 Asian Development Bank (ADB). "Economic Analysis o f the Angat W ater Transmission Im provem ent 
Project". Retrieved from  httD s://www.adb.orq/sites/default/files/linked-docum ents/46362-002-ea.pdf
2 Elemia, C. "Manila Water's 'surprise' service interruption affects parts o f Metro Manila, Rizal" Rappler 
(08 March 2019). Retrieved from  https://www.raDDler.com //nation/225239-manila-water-surprise- 
service-interruption-affects-ncr-cities-rizal-towns-march-2019
3 Punongbayan, JC. "The economics o f Metro Manila's burgeoning w ater crisis" Rappier{13 March, 
2019). Retrieved from  https://www.rappler.com /thouaht-leaders/225590-econom ics-m etro-m anila- 
water-shortaae


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 irrigational 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 irrigational 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 which 
flushes the bowl using the water from hand washing as a form of 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.
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is eagerly sought.
^ ( ^ C E  POE


Eighteenth Congress of the 
Republic of the Philippines 
First Regular Session
l^enntr
of tljr t»f crrtaii*
20 
JAN 29 
P4 :09
S
E
N
 A
T
,
RECEiVf 0 lY:
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 o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1
2 
Section 1. Short W e. -  This Act shall be known as "Gray Water Treatment and
3 
Reuse Act."
4 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
5 
conserve, to the fullest extent possible, its water resources, by proactively promoting
6 
the utilization of alternative sources of water. In line with this, the State shall ensure
7 
that all buildings within its territory are properly equipped with treatment
8 
facilities/systems that will enable them to efficiently maximize the use of the water
9 
sources at their disposal.
10 
Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. -  As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:
11 
(a) "Gray water" -  refers to wastewater which, though not potable, is
12 
understood as not pathologically infectious and is not contaminated with
13 
fecal matter, which may be used for watering plants, laundry, flushing
14 
toilets, cleaning, and other uses not related to human consumption;
15 
(b) "Gray water treatment system "- refers to any appliance, equipment, or
16 
combination thereof designed to remove pathogens from gray water and
17 
render the same suitable for reuse on-site in toilets, urinals, or
18 
subterranean irrigation systems;


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


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