Project thresholds for water supply project applications for an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) under presidential decree 1586 and its IRR (EMB Memorandum Circular No. 2024-03)

Republic of the Philippines D~:pa1;tment of Environment and Natural Resources ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAU . BACONC PILIPINAS EMB MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR No. 2024 -OJ) 3 JUL 1 0 2024 SUBJECT: PROJECT THRESHOLDS FOR WATER SUPPLY PROJECT APPLICATIONS FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (ECC) UNDER PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1586 ANDITSIRR In line with the implementation of Presidential Decree 1586 (Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (DAO 2003-30) and to facilitate the effective and efficient processing of Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) applications for Water Supply Projects, this Memorandum Circular is hereby issued. ,. SECTION 1. Coverage. This Circular covers the thresholds or limits of the water supply initiatives, as identified under Item 3.1.3, Annex A of EMB Memorandum Circular 2014-005, "Guidelines for Coverage Screening and Standardized Requirements under the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System". SECTION 2. Service Levels of Water Supply Projects. The following are the definitions of the service levels of water supply, as defined by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 1: • Level I (point source): This service level provides a protected well or a developed spring with an outlet without a disttibution system. Users go to the source to fetch water. Rural areas (where houses are thinly scattered) are generally adaptable to Level I sources. These sources serve an average of 15 households within a radius of250 meters. • Level 11 (communal faucet system or standpost):' This refers to a piped system whose components include a source, a reservoir, a piped distribution network, and commµnal faucets. Each communal or public faucet usually serves four to six households within a radius of25 meters. Users still go to the supply point (communal faucet) to fetch water. This·:simple piped system is generally suitable for rural and urban fringe areas with densely clustered houses. • Level III (waterworks system): This system includes a source, a reservoir, a piped distribution network, and individual household taps. It is generally suited for densely • populated urban areas where the population can afford individual connections. CERTIFIED COPY EMB • CENTRAL OFFICE RECORDS SECTION 1 NEDA Board Resolution No. 12, Series of 1995 DENR Compound, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon Ciry 1116 Telephone Na.: (632) 8539-4378 F-m;,i/· r1>r.nrrl.~r.n!iilP.mh nnv nh WP.h.~i/P.' www P.mh nnv 11h J , .. ...,.-,.,•,,-·,~ r;O:).X'l;f-; eoi..o):·-•· CP'TJll(O ' -·-.~ SECTION 3. Project Thresholds for Water Supply Projects. The thresholds stated in Item 3.1.3, Annex A of EMB Memorandum Circular 2014-005 shall be revised as follows: Project Category A Catef ory B Catego1y D EIS EIS IEE (Online) CNC Online Water Supply For Surface With water With water Level I Projects ·.• water sources source (e.g. source (e.g. (point sources ,. with groundwater, groundwater, including deep impoundment surface water, surface water, wells, springs, ( e.g. dams and etc.) ancl water etc.) and water infiltration reservoirs) treatment treatment galleries) Refer to item facilities, facilities, 3.1.1 Dams including including Level 11 reverse osmosis reverse osmosis (Communal (RO) processing (RO) processing faucet system) water volume water volume >5 million liters 2: l million liters Water Refilling per day (MLD) per day (MLD) Station but less ~5 (regardless of MLD capacity) Level lil (wate1works system) Level III water supply projects with only water disinfection as their treatment (e.g., chlorine dosing) are only required to submit an JEE for ECC application, which can be filed through the 0.nline system. Also, all water refilling stations, even with reverse osmosis in their operation, are outside the purview of the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System and have the option to secure a CNC. SECTION 4. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Circular shall be held invalid or unconstitutional, the other portions or provisions hereof which are not affected shall continue in full force and effect. SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. All other existing Circulars and other similar issuances inconsistent herewith are hereby revoked, amended, or modified accordingly. SECTION 6. Effectivity. This Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation and upon acknowledgment of receipt of a copy thereof by the Office of the National Administration Registrar (ONAR), UP Law Center. Published : The Manila Times Date : July 18, 2024 1~ JACQUELI ~AANCAN, CESOJJJ ,.. r irector CERTIFIED COPY EMB - CENTRAi. OFFICE RECORDS SECTION NEL{f;t BARIZO g~~::·llJf0 RYSs5E'.2112f