NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE 
S.B. No.i048
Senate
of tljf
H AUG -4 P6 :32
RECEIVED 8V;
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT ENSURING SAFE DRINKING WATER, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 856, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CODE ON SANITATION OF THE 
PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines is blessed with copious amounts of water with a total annual 
renewable water resource of 479 billion cubic meters (m3) from its surface water and 
groundwater sources. This translates into an annual per capita availability of about 
6,100m3, which is twice that of the rest of Asia, and six times the global scarcity 
threshold of 1,000m3.1
Ironically, however, as of 2017, around 8.5 million Filipinos still have no 
access to clean drinking water, and have to rely on unimproved, unsafe and 
unsustainable water sources, according to the National Water Resource Board. The 
World Health Organization (WHO) and Unicef Joint Monitoring Programme for Water 
Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene also reported that only 47.46% of the Philippines’ 
population had access to safely managed drinking water in 2020.2
Aside from access to clean water, water contamination remains a pressing 
issue, with heavy inorganic pollutants present in drinking water sources. According 
to environmental organization Greenpeace, five (5) out of eighteen (18) artesian 
wells in Benguet and Bulacan were found to contain nitrate levels well above the 
safety limit set by WHO.3 Inorganic contaminants such as nitrate may cause serious
1 Philippines: Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Assessment, Strategy, and Road Map. Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Asian 
Development Bank, 2013.
2 
July 7, 
2021. WHO-Unicef report: Nearly half of Filipinos get safe drinking water. Retrieved from:
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1456912/who-unicef-report-nearly-half-of-filipinos-get-safe-drinking-water#ixzz7Z7YuA61i 
(Date
last accessed: July 13, 2022). 
i.l^n.oinr,,no, u
3 March 8, 2018. When water causes diseases and deaths. Retrieved from: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2018/03/08/when- 
water-causes-diseases-and-deaths/ (Date last accessed: July 13, 2022).


health problems to the population, and may even lead to death.4 In 2011, eleven (11) 
people from Barangay Valencia, Cebu died due to typhoid fever after drinking water 
from unsafe water sources.5
Thus, prolonged inaction on this issue may lead to a rise in foodborne and 
waterborne diseases. According to Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the Executive Director of 
the United Nations Environment Program, “an estimated one-half of people in 
developing countries are suffering from diseases caused either directly by infection 
through the consumption of contaminated water or food, or indirectly by disease­
carrying organisms such as mosquitoes, that breed in water.”6 In the case of the 
Philippines, fifty percent (50%) of typhoid cases are due to water pollution, sanitation 
conditions, and hygiene practices.
Given this, it is imperative that the State play an active role in ensuring all 
Filipinos have safe and potable drinking water by implementing a comprehensive 
management program on water safety planning, including water quality surveillance, 
adoption of risk management strategies for the protection of water supply systems, 
and the use of appropriate tools and instruments to properly monitor and enforce 
quality drinking water standards.
This bill seeks to amend the existing provisions of the Sanitation Code of the 
Philippines on water supply. Among others, it requires the physical, bacteriological 
and general systematic chemical and over-all examination of water quality every two 
months. The result of such testing shall be submitted to the Department of Health 
(DOH) for appropriate action and to the consumers so that they will be properly 
apprised of the quality of the water they are consuming.
This bill also requires all water service providers to prepare a water safety 
plan, and submit the same to DOH for approval. They shall also furnish their 
customers an annual consumer confidence report which must include information 
regarding their current treatment techniques, monitoring procedures, and level of 
contaminants in the water system, among others.
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
4 Id.
5 Id
6 Id.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B. No. 1048
jijc'iH SPenaiu
of tl)? ^.'crclnrp
72 AUG -4 P 6 *32
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT ENSURING SAFE DRINKING WATER, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 856, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CODE ON SANITATION OF THE 
PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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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 "Safe Drinking Water 
Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall pursue a policy of ensuring the 
health of the Filipino people through the provision of safe drinking water. Towards 
this end, the State shall promote the use of appropriate tools and instruments and 
control mechanisms and adopt risk management strategies for the protection of the 
entire water supply system against contamination that will adversely affect human 
health. The State shall also implement a comprehensive management program on 
water safety planning including water quality surveillance that ensures the safety of 
drinking water in all settings and ensure compliance with national standards for 
drinking water and other environmental laws affecting drinking water quality.
SEC. 3. Section 11 of Presidential Decree No. 856 is hereby amended to read as 
follows:
Section 11. Types of Water Examinations Required
The following examinations are required for drinking water:
(a) Initial examination. The physical, chemical and bacteriological 
examinations of water from newly constructed systems or sources are 
required before they are operated and opened for public use. Examination


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of water for possible radio-active contamination should also be done 
Initially.
(b) Periodic examination. Water from existing sources is subject to 
PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL, bacteriological AND OVER-ALL QUALITY 
examination as often as possible but the interval shall not be longer than 
[six] TWO (2) months, [while general systematic chemical examination 
shall be conducted every 12 months or oftener. Examination of water 
sources shall be conducted yearly for possible radioactive contamination,] 
UNLESS OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY THE DEPARTMENT THROUGH 
APPROPRIATE REGULATIONS; PROVIDED, THAT NOTHING HEREIN 
SHALL RESTRICT THE DEPARTMENT FROM CONDUCTING RANDOM 
WATER QUALITY EXAMINATION AS OFTEN AS IT MAY DEEM 
NECESSARY AND PROPER.
SEC. 4. New Section 11-A and Section 11-B of Presidential Decree No. 856 are 
hereby inserted to read as follows:
SECTION 11-A. PERMITS REQUIRED
DRINKING WATER SERVICE PROVIDERS, WATER LABORATORIES, 
AND OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS WITH DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS 
CATERING TO THE PUBLIC SHALL BE REGISTERED WITH THE 
DEPARTMENT. FOR THIS PURPOSE, THE FOLLOWING PERMITS 
SHALL BE SECURED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OR LOCAL HEALTH 
AUTHORITIES, AS THE CASE MAY BE:
a) 
CERTIFICATE OF POTABILITY OF DRINKING WATER TO BE 
OBTAINED BY DRINKING WATER SERVICE PROVIDERS;
b) 
CERTIFICATE OF ACCREDITATION TO BE OBTAINED BY ALL 
WATER LABORATORIES AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONS THAT 
SHALL PARTICIPATE IN THE DRINKING WATER SAFETY 
PROGRAM;
c) 
CERTIFICATE OF PRODUCT REGISTRATION OF WATER 
SUPPLY MATERIALS, APPURTENANCES, TREATMENT 
TECHNOLOGIES OR DEVICES TO BE OBTAINED BY ALL 
ENTITIES ENGAGED IN THE PROVISION OF DRINKING WATER 
SUPPLY TO THE PUBLIC;
d) 
CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY TO BE OBTAINED BY ALL 
INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL CONDUCT CAPACITY BUILDING 
ACTIVITIES ON WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS, WATER QUALITY 
TREATMENT, WATER QUALITY MONITORING AND WATER 
SAFETY PLANNING FROM THE DEPARTMENT;
e) 
CERTIFICATE OF WATER SAFETY PLAN ACCEPTANCE;


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f) 
DRINKING WATER SITE CLEARANCE TO BE OBTAINED BY ALL 
PERSONS OR ENTITIES INTENDING TO DEVELOP A DRINKING 
WATER SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION; PROVIDED, 
THAT NO DRINKING WATER SYSTEM SHALL BE INSTALLED 
AND OPERATED WITHOUT SUCH CLEARANCE;
g) 
OPERATIONAL PERMIT, WHICH MUST BE OBTAINED BEFORE 
USING A DRINKING WATER SYSTEM; AND
h) 
SANITARY CLEARANCE FOR ALL WATER DELIVERY VEHICLES, 
MOBILE WATER TANKERS AND SIMILAR VEHICLES, INCLUDING 
ITS APPURTENANCES.
COVERED ESTABLISHMENTS SHALL ALSO REGISTER PORTABLE 
WATER TEST KITS AND WATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGY OR 
DEVICES WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
SECTION 11-B. WATER SAFETY PLAN
WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR FROM THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT, ALL 
DRINKING WATER SERVICE PROVIDERS SHALL DEVELOP WATER 
SAFETY PLANS FOR THEIR WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS, AND 
ENSURE ITS IMPLEMENTATION AFTER ITS APPROVAL. AN 
APPROVED WATER SAFETY PLAN SHALL BE VALID FOR THREE (3) 
YEARS, UNLESS SUSPENDED OR SOONER REVOKED BY THE 
DEPARTMENT.
FOR THIS PURPOSE, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVELOP TOOLS, 
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR WATER SAFETY PLAN 
PROCESSES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
SEC. 5. Section 12 of Presidential Decree No. 856 is hereby amended to read as 
follows:
Section 12. Examining Laboratories and Submission of Water 
Samples
The examination of drinking water shall be performed only in private or 
government laboratories duly accredited by the Department. THE 
DEPARTMENT SHALL PRESCRIBE APPROPRIATE GUIDELINES WITH 
RESPECT TO THE CONDUCT, MANNER, AND MEASURES REQUIRED 
FOR THE EXAMINATION OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY.
It is the responsibility of operators of water systems to submit to accredited 
laboratories water samples for examination in a manner and at such 
intervals prescribed UNDER SECTION 11 OF THIS ACT OR by the 
Department THROUGH APPROPRIATE REGULATIONS.
THE RESULTS OF SUCH MONITORING SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO 
THE DEPARTMENT FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION, AND TO THE


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CONSUMERS CONCERNED. THE SAME SHALL ALSO BE POSTED 
CONSPICUOUSLY IN THE ESTABLISHMENT.
IN THE EVENT THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT FAILS TO COMPLY WITH 
AN APPLICABLE MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL, OR FAILS TO 
COMPLY WITH THE TREATMENT TECHNIQUE REQUIRED BY THE 
DEPARTMENT, OR FAILS TO PERFORM SUCH MONITORING, THE 
DEPARTMENT SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO ORDER THE IMMEDIATE 
SUSPENSION OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OR 
TAKE OTHER STEPS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE 
SAFETY OF DRINKING WATER.
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROMPTLY NOTIFY THE PUBLIC OF 
SUCH OCCURRENCE, AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONCERNED 
ESTABLISHMENT. THE NOTICE SHALL CONSIST OF, BUT NOT 
LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
a) 
NATURE OF THE VIOLATION;
b) 
CONTAMINANT LEVEL OF WATER SUPPLY;
c) 
POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS TO THE POPULATION;
d) 
POPULATION AT RISK;
- e) STEPS BEING TAKEN TO CORRECT VIOLATION;
f) 
TELEPHONE NUMBER OR CONTACT NUMBER OF THE OWNER, 
OPERATOR OR DESIGNEE OF THE PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM;
g) 
NECESSITY OF SEEKING ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLIES; 
AND
h) 
PREVENTIVE MEASURES THAT SHALL BE TAKEN BY 
CONSUMERS UNTIL THE VIOLATION IS CORRECTED.
SEC. 6. A new Section 12-A is hereby inserted to read as follows:
SECTION 12-A. CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT
A DRINKING WATER SERVICE PROVIDER SHALL FURNISH ITS 
CUSTOMERS AN ANNUAL REPORT ON THE QUALITY OF THE 
DRINKING WATER IT PROVIDES AND THE CONTAMINANTS, IF ANY, 
FOUND THEREIN.
THE ANNUAL REPORT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, 
THE FOLLOWING:
a) INFORMATION ON THE SOURCE OF THE WATER DISTRIBUTED;


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b) 
ENUMERATION OF PRIMARY PARAMETERS INDICATED BY THE 
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR DRINKING WATER 
(PNSDW);
c) 
MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL INDICATED BY PNSDW;
d) 
CURRENT TREATMENT TECHNIQUES UTILIZED BY THE 
DRINKING WATER SERVICE PROVIDER;
e) 
MONITORING PROCEDURES UTILIZED BY THE DRINKING 
WATER SERVICE PROVIDER;
f) 
LEVEL OF CONTAMINANT IN THE WATER SYSTEM WITHIN THE 
YEAR;
g) 
ANY CONTAMINANT FOR WHICH THERE HAS BEEN A 
VIOLATION OF THE MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL DURING 
THE YEAR CONCERNED, AND A BRIEF STATEMENT IN PLAIN 
LANGUAGE REGARDING THE HEALTH CONCERNS THAT 
RESULTED IN THE REGULATION OF THE CONTAMINANT, AS 
PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT;
h) 
INFORMATION ON THE LEVELS OF UNREGULATED 
CONTAMINANTS IDENTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT;
i) 
A STATEMENT THAT THE PRESENCE OF CONTAMINANTS IN 
THE DRINKING WATER DOES NOT NECESSARILY INDICATE 
THAT THE DRINKING WATER POSES A HEALTH RISK AND 
THAT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CONTAMINANTS AND 
POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING 
THE DEPARTMENT;
j) 
MEASURES THAT MAY BE ADOPTED BY THE CONSUMERS TO 
KEEP THEIR WATER SUPPLY FREE FROM CONTAMINATION; 
AND
k) 
SUCH OTHER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AS THE 
DEPARTMENT DEEMS APPROPRIATE FOR PUBLIC 
EDUCATION.
THE ANNUAL REPORT SHALL BE PROVIDED TO CONSUMERS
EVERY TWELVE (12) MONTHS THROUGH ELECTRONIC MEDIA,
HAND DELIVERY, POSTING, OR OTHER METHODS APPROVED BY
THE DEPARTMENT.
SEC. 7. Penalties. - A water service provider that fails to comply with the 
provisions of this Act shall be liable for a fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos 
(Php50,000.00) for every day of continuing violation, without prejudice to any other 
penalties that may be imposed, in accordance with other relevant laws, rules and 
regulations.


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SEC. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to effectively carry out the 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Health, in consultation with the concerned 
stakeholders and relevant government agencies, shall promulgate the necessary 
rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, ordinances, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly.
SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of the Act shall not be affected by such 
declaration.
SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,