MODULE 2: UNDERSTANDING WATER - Stored in and moves slowly through

SUPPLIES geologic formations of soil, sand, and

● Leonardo Da Vinci - “Water is the driving force rocks called aquifers
of all nature.” ● Rainwater - pure water, evaporated by the sun
● Water is essential for all living organisms, and returned to Earth
powers weather systems, and plays a crucial - It can pick up particles and gases in the
role in numerous industrial and agricultural atmosphere, making it slightly acidic
processes - The primary source of water
○ For health, access to food, ecosystem, ● Desalination - the process of removing salts
and climate and other minerals from water, making it suitable
● Water covers 71% of the Earth’s surface. for human consumption, irrigation, or industrial
Equivalent to 326 million cubic miles of water uses
on the planet Water Treatment Process
● According to the World Health Organization 1. Coagulation and Flocculation - Coagulation is
(WHO), 1 in 10 people in the Philippines do not a chemical process where coagulants are added
have access to improved water sources to destabilize and clump together suspended
● Water supply - the process of providing water in particles, forming larger, heavier flocs that can
a systematic way through installed pumps and be easily removed
pipelines 2. Sedimentation - a physical process that uses
History of Water Supply gravity to remove suspended solids from water
● Ancient aqueducts - the Romans constructed - Allows water to stand still in a basin or
these throughout their Republic and later tank, so heavier particles settle to the
Empire, to bring water from outside sources into bottom and clarify the water
cities and towns 3. Filtration - solid particles in a liquid or gaseous
- Aqueduct water supplied public baths, fluid are removed by the use of a filter medium
latrines, fountains, and private that permits the fluid to pass through but retains
households the solid particles
- Also supported mining operations, 4. Disinfection - aims to eliminate or deactivate
milling, farms, and gardens harmful microorganisms like bacteria, viruses,
● Rainwater Harvesting - collecting the run-off and protozoa
from a structure or other impervious surface to - Makes the water safe for consumption
store it for later use and prevents waterborne diseases
- Can be as simple as collecting rain in a - Essential for protecting public health and
rain barrel or as elaborate as harvesting ensuring access to clean water
rainwater into large cisterns to supply Water Quality Management
the entire household on demand - Concerned with the control of pollution from
● Modern Water System - encompasses the human activity so that water is not degraded to
infrastructure and technologies used to collect, the point that it is no longer suitable for intended
treat, and distribute water to consumers, as well uses
as manage wastewater
Water Pollutants and Their Sources
> Generally, these systems are vital for public health, ● Water Tolerance (Assimilation) - the capacity
economic activity, and environmental sustainability of the environment or a system to absorb or deal
Types of Water Sources with waste without causing significant harm
● Surface Water - any body of water found on - It can also refer to the limits on the amount or
Earth’s surface, including both the saltwater in type of waste that can be discharged into a
the ocean and the freshwater in rivers, streams, specific environment before it becomes
and lakes detrimental
- A key component of the hydrologic cycle > Oxygen-demanding materials - anything that can be
> Rivers are a major type of surface water. oxidized in the receiving water with the consumption of
● Groundwater - water found underground in the dissolved molecular oxygen
cracks and spaces in soil, sand, and rock
Sustainable Water Management Terminologies
● Nutrients - nitrogen and phosphorus play a ● Cistern - a container for water having a free
critical role in water quality management water surface at atmospheric pressure
- Excessive amounts can lead to eutrophication, ● Feed cistern - any storage cistern used for
causing harmful algal blooms and oxygen supplying cold water to a hot water apparatus
depletion ● Storage cistern - any cistern other than a
● Pathogenic Organisms - bacteria, viruses, flushing cistern, having a free water surface
protozoa, and other harmful microbes that can under atmospheric pressure, but not including a
contaminate water sources and cause illness drinking trough or drinking bowl for animals
when ingested or exposed to ● Water line - a line marked inside the cistern to
- Effective water quality management is crucial for indicate the water level at which the ball valve
minimizing the presence of these pathogens and should be adjusted to shut off
preventing waterborne diseases ● Overflowing level - the lowest level at which
● Suspended Solids - organic and inorganic water can flow into that pipe from a cistern
particles carried by wastewater ● Warning pipe - an overflow pipe so fixed that its
● Heat - sometimes called secondary heat or low- outlet end is in an exposed and conspicuous
grade heat position, and where the discharge of any water
- Refers to heat produced by machines, electrical from the pipe may be readily seen and outside
equipment, and industrial processes for which the building
no useful application is found ● Communication pipe - any service pipe from
the water main to the stop valve fitted on the
Water Quality Management in Lakes
pipe
Biological Zones - determined by the availability of light
● Service pipe - any pipe for supplying water
and oxygen
from a main to any premises, subject to water
Lake Productivity - ability to support a food web
pressure from that main, or would be so subject
● Oligotrophic - low levels of organic matter –
but for the closing of some stop valve
deep and clear, oxygen-rich bottom supports
● Distributing pipe - any pipe for conveying water
cold water fish such as trout
from a cistern, and under pressure from that
- Phosphorus is limited
cistern.
● Mesotrophic - more organic matter, low oxygen
● Supply pipe - so much of any service pipe that
level
is not a communicating pipe
● Eutrophic - high levels of organic matter —
● Supply main - a pipe for the general
abundant plant growth, poor clarity, stratified
conveyance of water as distinct from the
oxygen-poor bottoms
conveyance to individual premises
● Dead zone - oxygen levels fall below 2 ppm
● Hot water cylinder or tank - a closed container
for hot water under more than atmospheric
● Water Supply - a provision to deliver utilities,
pressure.
commercial organizations, community
> Note: a cylinder is deemed to include a tank
endeavors, or by individuals, usually via a
● Potable water - water suitable for drinking
system of pumps and pipes
● Fitting - anything fitted or fixed in connection
Basic Principles of Water Supply with the supply, measurement, control,
- Should not deteriorate in the distribution pipes distribution, utilization, or disposal of water
- Should be capable of supplying water to all
intended places with sufficient pressure head Two Types of Distribution for A Building
- The layout should be such that no consumer 1. Communication pipe - the pipe which runs
would be without a water supply during the from the municipal distribution mains to the
repair of any section of the system boundary of the premises
- All the distribution pipes should preferably be 2. Supply pipe/Consumers pipe - runs inside the
laid one meter away from or above the sewer premises
line
Three Types of Distribution Systems for a Town
- Should be fairly water-tight to keep leakage to a
1. Gravity system - suitable when the source of
minimum
supply is at a sufficient height
- Most reliable and economical
distribution system
 - The water head available to the 3. Grid Iron System - suitable for cities with a
consumer is just the minimum required rectangular layout, where the water mains and
- The remaining head is consumed in the branches are laid in rectangles
frictional and other losses Advantages:
2. Pumping system - treated water is directly ● Water is kept in good circulation due to the
pumped into the distribution main without storing absence of dead ends
- Also called pumping without a storage ● In the case of a breakdown in some section,
system water is available from some other direction
- High lift pumps are required ● Less Head loss
- If the power supply fails, there will be a Disadvantages:
complete stoppage of the water supply ● Exact calculation of the sizes of pipes is not
- Not generally used possible due to the provision of valves on all
3. Combined gravity and pumping system - branches
treated water is pumped and stored in an ● Expensive due to the longer lengths of pipes
elevated distribution reservoir
- Supplies to consumers through the 4. Ring System - The supply main is laid all along
action of gravity the peripheral roads, and sub mains branch out
- Most common system from the mains
- The excess water during low-demand - This system also follows the grid iron
periods gets stored in the reservoir and system with a flow pattern similar in
is supplied during high-demand periods character to that of a dead-end system
- Economical, efficient, and reliable - Determination of the size of pipes is
system easy
Advantages:
Layouts of Distribution Network
● Water can be supplied to any point from at least
- The distribution pipes are generally laid below
two directions
the road pavements
● No dead ends
- Their layouts follow the layouts of the roads
Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water
Four Types of Pipe Networks
(PNSDW) 2017
1. Dead End System - one main line is divided
● Clean water is a basic right and essential for life
into sub-lines and then into branches
● Water contamination causes major health issues
- Suitable for old towns and cities that
● The government created PNSDW to set water
have no definite pattern of roads
safety standards
Advantages:
● Cheap Legal Framework
● Determination of discharges and pressure is ● Issued by the Department of Health (DOH)
easier due to a smaller number of valves ● Based on Chapter II, PD 856 (Code on
Disadvantages: Sanitation of the Philippines)
● Stagnation occurs in pipes due to dead ends ● Supported by RA 9275 (Clean Water Act)
● Water may not be free-flowing due to the large
Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (RA 9275)
number of dead ends
● Protects water bodies from pollution caused by
2. Radial System - The area is divided into industries, agriculture, and households.
different zones. The water is pumped into the ● Uses a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach
distribution reservoir, which is kept in the middle involving all stakeholders to prevent and reduce
of each zone. pollution.
- The supply pipes are laid radially, Fines and Penalties
ending towards the periphery ● Untreated wastewater discharge: Php
Advantages: 10,000–200,000/day.
● Quick service Failure to clean up (willful): 2–4 years
● Calculation of pipe sizes is easy imprisonment + Php 50,000–100,000/day fine.
● Most suitable for towns with radial roads Failure to clean up causing serious harm or
irreversible contamination: 6–12 years
imprisonment + Php 500,000/day fine.
 ● Gross violation: Php 500,000–3,000,000/day ● Regular cleaning of storage tanks and pipes
fine + possible criminal charges. Water System Management
● Secure and protected water sources
● Regular pipe and tank maintenance
Purpose of PNSDW ● Prevent entry of contaminants
● Protect public health
● Establish guidelines for water safety Responsibilities of Providers
● Provide a basis for water monitoring and ● Ensure water quality
regulation ● Educate consumers on safe water handling
● Support sustainable water management ● Report issues to the DOH or LGU
● Prevent waterborne-diseases
● Promote consistency nationwide Role of the Department of Health (DOH)
● Monitor and enforce compliance
Scope of the Standards ● Issue advisories and policies
● Applies to all drinking water systems (water ● Assist local government and providers
districts, water refilling stations, private
suppliers) Role of Local Government Units (LGUs)
Core Areas Covered ● Support water safety plans
● Microbiological safety - water must be free ● Monitor a small community's supplies
from [Link] and Total Coliform ● Coordinate with DOH and other agencies
- Indicates contamination by human or
animal waste Public Involvement
- Unsafe water can cause diarrhea, ● Report suspicious water quality
cholera, and typhoid ● Use safe water storage practices
● Physical quality - should be clear, colorless, ● Avoid contaminating community sources
and odorless
- Should not have suspended particles or Importance for Public Health
an unusual taste Safe water reduces the risk of:
- Must be pleasant to drink and free from ● Diarrhea
all harmful organisms, chemical ● Cholera
substances, and radionuclides in ● Hepatitis A and E
amounts which could constitute a ● Long-term protection from environmental
hazard to the health of the consumer illnesses
● Acceptability by consumers
● Source protection and system management Common Causes of Water Contamination
● Leaking pipes
Types of Water Sources ● Uncovered water tanks
1. Groundwater (deep wells) ● Industrial waste
2. Surface water (rivers, lakes) ● Agricultural runoff
3. Rainwater (if collected and treated properly) ● Human waste and sewage
4. Bulk or delivered water sources
Who must comply? Strengthening Community Awareness
● Local water districts ● Promote household water safety
● Private water providers ● Involve schools and barangays in education
● Water refilling stations drives
● Government water agencies ● Community engagement projects

Importance of Regulation National Goals for Safe Water

● Prevent waterborne-diseases ● Universal access to safe drinking water
● Protect vulnerable groups ● Stronger water governance
● Maintain public trust in drinking water systems ● Improved monitoring and infrastructure
Water Treatment
● Use of filters and disinfection (chlorine)
● Boiling water in emergencies
CAUSES OF WATER POLLUTION
1. Domestic Waste - aka household waste
- Garbage generated by households, from
daily living activities (food scraps,
plastic, glass)
2. Sewage Waste - aka liquid waste
- Generated by human activities, from
toilets, sinks, and showers, also
including industrial and stormwater
runoff
- Contains a mix of organic matter,
chemicals, and microbes
3. Solid waste - aka municipal solid waste (MSW)
- Trash, food waste, packaging, yard
waste
4. Industrial waste - unwanted byproducts from
manufacturing, mining, and other industrial
processes
5. Acid rain - caused by a chemical reaction that
begins when compounds like sulfur dioxide and
nitrogen oxides are released into the air
6. Oil industry - encompasses the global
processes involving in extracting, producing,
refining, transporting, and marketing petroleum
and its products
7. Aquatic plants - Water hyacinth, an aquatic
plant that causes pollution in water
- Long leaved plant which grows faster in
water bodies and absorbs all nutrients
from water which is fetal for marine
organisms
- Also known as the Terror of Bengal due
to its abundance