Rr water quality guidelines means the level for a

rr) Water quality guidelines - means the level for a water constituent or numerical values
of physical, chemical, biological and bacteriological or radiological parameters which are
used to classify water resources and their use, which does not result in significant health
risk and which are not intended for direct enforcement but only for water quality
management purposes, such as determining time trends, evaluating stages of
deterioration or enhancement of the water quality, and as basis for taking positive action
in preventing, controlling or abating water pollution.
ss) Water Quality Management Area Action Plan - includes, but not be limited to, the
following: (a) goals and targets including sewerage or septage program, (b) schedule of
compliance to meet the applicable requirements of this Act; (c) water pollution control
strategies or techniques; (d) water quality information and education program; e)

resource requirement and possible sources; f) enforcement procedures of the plan and
(g) rewards and incentives under Chapter 4 of this Act.
CHAPTER 2
WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
ARTICLE 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 5. Water Quality Management Area . - The Department, in coordination with National
Water Resources Board (NWRB), shall designate certain areas as water quality management
areas using appropriate physiographic units such as watershed, river basins or water resources
regions. Said management areas shall have similar hydrological, hydrogeological, meteorological
or geographic conditions which affect the physicochemical, biological and bacteriological
reactions and diffusions of pollutants in the water bodies, or otherwise share common interest or
face similar development programs, prospects or problems.
Said management area shall be governed by a governing board composed of representatives of
mayors and governors of member local government units (LGUs), and representatives of
relevant national government agencies, duly registered non-governmental organization, water
utility sector, and business sector. The Department representative shall chair the governing
board. In the case of the LGUs with memberships on more than one (1) management board, the
LGU shall designate only one (1) single representative for all the management areas wherein is a
member.
The governing board shall formulate strategies to coordinate policies necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act in accordance with those established in the framework and monitor the
compliance with the action plan.
Each management area shall create a multi-sectoral group to establish and affect water quality
surveillance and monitoring network including sampling schedules and other similar activities.
The group shall submit its report and recommendation to the chairman of the governing board.