MODULE

Cover Letter to the Student

The course ChE 424a: Introduction to Environmental Engineering for CHE aims to
instill to future chemical engineers like you the basic and scientific fundamentals of
environmental engineering. It further aims to prepare you to the different waste
treatment processes, disposal and management you may encounter, later on, as you
venture your professional life in different chemical process industries. As such, by the
end of this course you should be able to explain the importance of waste management
and its relevance to the engineering profession, describe the management and control
of the different types of wastes, and apply acquired principles in the management and
treatment of practical pollution problems you encountered in your daily lives.

To ensure that you will demonstrate the above cited learning outcomes, this course
originally designed to be delivered in 54 contact hours was structured into eight
modules. Each module contains several units with its own topic learning outcomes and
topic outline. Each unit contains activities designed using the 5E constructivist model
of learning, developed by Rodger Bybee, that encourages students to engage, explore,
explain, elaborate, and evaluate their learning of topics covered therein. This means
that at the end of each unit, each module, and the course as a whole, you will be
assessed on your progress in attaining the course learning outcomes. Outcomes
based education dictates that only when you can clearly demonstrate the course
learning outcomes by the end of this course, can you be given a passing mark. The
modules that form the building blocks to help you attain the course learning outcomes
are as follows:

Table of Contents

Module 1: Introduction to Environmental Science and Engineering

Unit 1: Environmental Engineering and its History
Unit 2: Components of the Environment
Unit 3: Roles of an Environmental Engineer
Unit 4: Environmental Ethics
Unit5: Environmental Legislations in the Philippines

Module 2: Water
Unit 1: Fundamentals of Hydrology
Unit 2: Water Quality and Parameters
Unit 3: Water Purification Processes in the Natural Systems

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 Unit 4: Engineered Water Purification Processes

Module 3: Wastewater
Unit 1: Classification of Municipal Water Use
Unit 2: Components of Wastewater and Types of Sewer Systems
Unit 3: Common Contaminants in the Wastewaters and Their
Environmental Significance
Unit 4: Measurements of Common Wastewater Parameters
Unit 5: Biological Oxygen Demand
Unit 6: Dissolved Oxygen Sag Curve

Module 4: Wastewater Treatment

Unit 1: Treatment Objectives and Classification of Wastewater
Treatment Methods
Unit 2: Divisions of Wastewater Treatment Systems
Unit 3: Preliminary Treatment
Unit 4: Primary Treatment

Module 5: Secondary Treatment

Unit 1: Conventional Wastewater Treatment
Unit 2: Suspended Growth
Unit 3: Design of Activated Sludge Treatment
Unit 4: Ponds and Lagoons
Unit 5: Attached Growth

Module 6: Tertiary Treatment

Unit 1: Nutrients Removal
Unit 2: Sludge Treatment and Disposal

Module 7: Solid Waste Management

Unit 1: Municipal and Industrial Solid Wastes
Unit 2: Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes

Module 8: Air Pollution

Unit 1: Major Air Pollutants, Sources and Effects
Unit 2: Indoor Air Pollution

Module 9: Noise Pollution

Unit 1: Noise Pollution, Sources and Effects

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 MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
AND ENGINEERING
At the end of the module, you should be able to:
• Explain the roles of an Environmental Engineer
• Apply the environmental legislations and regulations to do a case analysis
Introduction
Environmental engineering involves several concepts that you have learned in other
courses particularly from your chemistry subjects as well as your Science, Technology
and Society. This module will help you recall the some of the important concepts that
you will need in order to understand the succeeding modules.

Unit 1: Environmental Engineering and its History

UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Explain the necessity of environmental engineering

• Evaluate the application of the fundamental concepts in at least one historical
scenario

ENGAGE
When you hear the word “environment”, what is the first thing that comes into your
mind? Now for more than two years in the university, how can you define “engineering”
on your own words? Below is a summarized article about one environmental disaster to
introduce our first topic.

LOVE CANAL TRAGEDY

Dubbed as one of the most appalling tragedies in American history, Love Canal is
originally meant to be a dream community started by the vision of William T. Love. The
canal was meant to generate fuels cheaply for industries and homes. The dream was
shattered though by Nikola Tesla’s discovery of alternating current. The partially
constructed canal became a municipal and chemical dumpsite for years.

In 1953, the Hooker Chemical Company, then the owners and operators of the property,
covered the canal with earth and sold it to the city for one dollar. Love Canal became a
working class community. However, a chemical dumpsite without proper management,
regulation and closure can become a time ticking bomb. Months later, Love Canal
exploded triggered by an amount of rainfall.

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 After the explosion, leaching began and what started out as a dream community is
exploding nightmares to its residences. Corroding waste-disposal drums could be seen
breaking up through the grounds of backyards. Trees and gardens were turning black
and dying. Puddles of noxious substances were can be spotted in some yards, some
basements and even on the school grounds. Everywhere the air had a faint, choking
smell. Children returned from play with burns on their hands and faces. Soon, birth
defects and leukemia rose in a small community at a disturbingly high rate. All of which
is due to an irresponsible act.

If you want to read the whole article, you may visit

https://archive.epa.gov/epa/aboutepa/love-canal-tragedy.html

EXPLORE
Environmental Engineering
Biotic components - living components of a
community
 Simple definition: Abiotic component – non-living factors that
o one’s surrounding affect the living organisms
 Biophysical definition:
o The biotic and abiotic surrounding of an organism, or population
including the factors that have an influence in their survival,
development and evolution
 Environmental Engineer’s definition:
o a very localized area in which specific problems must be addressed

 The creative application of scientific principles to design or develop

structures.
o Machines, apparatus, or manufacturing processes, or works
utilizing them singly or in combination; or to construct or
operate the same with full cognizance of their design; or to
forecast their behavior under specific operating conditions; all as
respects an intended function, economics of operation and safety
to life and property

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 Other definitions of Environmental Engineering

1. Live Science

“Environmental engineering is the branch of engineering that is concerned with

protecting people from the effects of adverse environmental effects, such as
pollution, as well as improving environmental quality.”

-This definition emphasizes that the problems we are facing due to environmental
disasters are but setbacks of our previous actions. The Love Canal Tragedy is a great
example for this one.

2. Britannica Encyclopedia

“Environmental engineering, the development of processes and infrastructure

for the supply of water, the disposal of waste, and the control of pollution of all
kinds. These endeavors protect public health by preventing disease
transmission, and they preserve the quality of the environment by averting the
contamination and degradation of air, water, and land resources.”

-This description dwells on the protection of public health which is further explained by
its how’s. This definition will be tackled later in this module as the roles of
environmental engineers will be discussed.

3. McGill.CA

“The goal of environmental engineering is to ensure that societal development

and the use of water, land and air resources are sustainable. This goal is
achieved by managing these resources so that environmental pollution and
degradation is minimized.”

- In this account, the definition stresses on the balance between progress and
conservation. This will be further explored on the different environmental ethics later in
this module.

4. Encyclopedia.com

“The development of environmental engineering as a discipline is a reflection of

the modern need to maintain public health by providing safe drinking water and
sanitation, and by treating and disposing of sewage, municipal solid waste, and
pollution.”

-A supporting statement for the first definition above highlighting today’s need for this
discipline.

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 How Environmental Engineering Emerged as a Separate Discipline

Some Historical Landmarks in Environmental Engineering History

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 EXPLAIN
To be able to translate your understanding of the different definitions discussed, do the
following activity.

Activity 1: Environment and Me

Self- Assessment #1

Look around your surroundings, your room or wherever you are. List down at least 10
things that you see, preferably those that first comes to your sight. Then, classify these
things whether they are biotic or abiotic components of your surroundings. Take a
closer look at your surroundings. This time, find at least three problems that needs to
be addressed. It can be as simple as unfolded blankets to more complex ones as the
rising floodwaters. Finally, define your current “environment” in not more than three
sentences.

ELABORATE
Different Areas of Environmental Engineering

Given the definitions of environmental engineering, it must dawn on you that the scope
of the discipline is very broad. It can also be concluded that additional scope of
environmental engineering may emerge as the need arises. The following are some of
its existing areas.
1. Water Treatment – treating water from natural sources for domestic and
industrial purposes
2. Wastewater Treatment – preventing negative impact of the discharged
water and handling residuals generated (e.g. biosolids can be used as
fertilizers)
3. Air Quality - designing processes to prevent/minimize industrial emissions
of air pollutants
4. Solid Waste – recycling, designing landfills as well as the destruction
process
5. Surface Water Quality – preventing the degradation of the quality of
surface water to maintain natural population of aquatic life
6. Hazardous Waste Management – In the United states, this is governed by
two laws namely:
a. RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) – treatment
of currently generated hazardous and industrial wastes

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 b. CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act) – cleanup of past
contaminated sites
7. Industrial Waste Minimization/Treatment – change of input materials,
recovery of byproducts, improved housekeeping, recycling processes
and/or change in technology
8. Health and Safety – creating balance between communities and natural
resources
9. Permitting – ensuring that all projects and activities of a company are
compliant to environmental regulations

It can be inferred from the given samples of environmental engineering areas that more
than one area can be involved in solving one situations. For example, in an oil spill, the
areas that may come into play are:

 Surface Water Quality –

 Hazardous Waste Management – especially on wide-ranged spills
 Health and Safety – especially if it occurs near residential or commercial
areas
 Permitting – the company’s permit to operate may be suspended while the
spill is not yet remediated

EVALUATE
Activity 2: ASSESSING DISASTERS
Graded Assignment #1

Aside from Love Canal, research one environmental disaster, preferably a manmade or
human-catalyzed catastrophe. Follow the following format. Don’t forget to cite your
references.

(Tragedy)
(Place) (Date)
Cause:
Effects:
Remedy Done:
Areas of Environmental Engineering Involved:

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 Unit 2: Components of the Environment
UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Discuss the different components of a given environment

ENGAGE
Activity 1: African Savannah
Self- assessment #2
The picture below can be found at https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/african-
savanna-illustration/. It is an illustration of the African Savannah. Select one organism
and write 10 things in its surrounding. Identify if these are biotic or abiotic.

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 EXPLORE
There are different components of an environment and each of these components can
be grouped depending on their function. Niche, a term you encountered in your
Ecology, is used to describe these so-called functions. When the components of the
environment are being discussed, what comes to mind are often the tangible ones
which can be classified either as physical or biological components.

A. Physical Components of the Environment

Physical components of the environment refer to the non-living components of an
environment namely Lithosphere, Hydrosphere and Atmosphere. It can be summarized
by the following table:
COMPOSITION TYPES FUNCTIONS
1. Oceanic a. wraps the core of Earth
LITHOSPHERE Rocks and Soil
2. Continental b. provides support for terrestrial life
1. Surface water a. provides life-sustaining water
HYDROSPHERE Water
2. Ground water b. provides support for aquatic life
a. provides life-sustaining oxygen
N/A but has layers
b. protects the Earth from cosmic
ATMOSPHERE Gases with different
radiation
functions
c. asserts the Earth’s heat balance
1. natural
BIOSPHERE* All of the above Where all living things subsist
2. artificial
*Biosphere is a term used to describe anywhere in the planet where living things exists from the bottom
of the oceans to the highest layer of the atmosphere.

Lithosphere, though composed of materials with markedly different chemical

compositions, tends to act as a unit that exhibits rigid behavior. Oceanic lithosphere is
found at the bottom of the oceans while continental lithosphere provides support for
terrestrial life.
Hydrosphere is the dynamic mass of water that is continually on the move which makes
the Blue Planet unique.
Atmosphere is the life-giving gaseous envelop of the Earth. The table below
summarizes your discussion in Engineering Chemistry regarding the layers of the
atmosphere.
LAYER DEFINITION FUNCTION
Troposphere -lowest layer of the atmosphere -provides life-sustaining oxygen
-gases directly in contact with -asserts Earth’s heat balance
Earth
-where weather occurs due to
uneven heating
Stratosphere -contains the ozone layer which -protects Earth from cosmic
screens out the UV rays from radiation

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 the sun
Mesosphere -middle layer
Thermosphere -hottest layer due to solar heat- -protects Earth from cosmic
absorbing oxygen radiation
-asserts Earth’s heat balance
Exosphere -outermost layer

B. Biological Components of the Environment

Biological Components refer to the non-living components of an environment.
1. Fauna – all the animal life in that environment
2. Flora – all the plant life in that environment
3. Others – microbes, fungi, etc.

EXPLAIN
Activity 2: African Savannah Part 2
Self- assessment #3
Return to the picture on Page 7 and write five physical components and five biological
components of that environment with exception to the organism that you have chosen
earlier. Beside those components, write what type of physical/biological components
are they. Diversify your answers.

ELABORATE
BIOPSHERE 2
Some of you might have wondered that if biosphere is where all life form subsist, how
can an artificial biosphere exist. Biosphere 1 or the Natural Biosphere pertains to the
natural environment where its components are supplied and move in their natural
manner. Biosphere 2, however, even though located within the planet’s terrestrial
domain, was built as a research facility owned by the University of Arizona since 2011.

The Biosphere 2 facility serves as a laboratory for controlled scientific studies, an arena
for scientific discovery and discussion, and a far-reaching provider of public education.
Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long
learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe; to catalyze
interdisciplinary thinking and understanding about Earth and its future; to be an
adaptive tool for Earth education and outreach to industry, government, and the public;
and to distill issues related to Earth systems planning and management for use by
policymakers, students and the public.

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 If you want to read more about this artificial biosphere, you may visit their website at
https://biosphere2.org/ .

Cultural Components of an Environment

Aside from the tangible components of an environment, there are also factors that
affect how an individual interacts with its surroundings. These are known as the cultural
components.
1. Society – group of people with interpersonal relationship or large social
groupings sharing the same geographical territory
- It is easier to spot in human population but it can also be seen in
non-human organisms such as the pack of feral, flock of birds,
school of fishes or even an orchard and a grove.
2. Economy (economic system) – consists of the production, distribution or
trade and consumption of limited goods and services
3. Politics – activities associated with the governance of the area
- This involves the hierarchy in a society via display of leadership
like the alpha of the pack, etc.

EVALUATE
Activity 3: AFRICAN SAVANNAH Part 3
Graded Assignment #2
For the third time, return to the picture above. You were asked earlier to choose an
organism in the savannah. Define the cultural components affecting the life of that
organism in its environment. Use not more than three sentences for each component
discussed above.

Activity 4: MEMORY BOOST: DAY 1 WRAP UP

(OPTIONAL)
Rearrange the following letters to determine what is being asked in the statements.
You might want to challenge yourself by completing the activity in three minutes. This
activity is solely up to you. Just remember honesty is the best policy!
1. HEROSPORTEP – provide life-sustaining oxygen
2. ANTIRAYS – engineering discipline born from civil engineering which soon gave
birth to environmental engineering
3. MENTRIGPIT – all activities should comply with the environmental regulations
4. OCIESTY – interpersonal relationship
5. MOVERNINENT – where problem to be solved is
6. COMONEY – exchange of limited goods and services
7. ALFRO – all the plant life in an environment

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 8. HERDYHOPERS – makes the Earth unique
9. ZORIANA – location of Biosphere 2
10. CHINE - function of one component of an environment

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 Unit 3: Roles of an Environmental Engineer
UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Discuss the different roles of environmental engineer in relation to chemical
engineering

ENGAGE
We have been mentioning environmental engineering so far. For this module, we now
take a look at the roles of an environmental engineer. We start by watching the video
entitled “Occupational Video-Environmental Engineer” using the link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyZw4ni1DE0.

EXPLORE
Some of the different roles of an environmental engineers are as follows. Bear in mind,
just like the different areas of environmental engineering, the role of an environmental
engineer may also emerge as needed.

1) Collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, hazardous waste technicians,

engineers, and other specialists, and experts in law and business to address
environmental problems.

2) Provide technical-level support for environmental remediation and litigation projects,

including remediation system design and determination of regulatory applicability.

3) Inspect industrial and municipal facilities and programs in order to evaluate

operational effectiveness and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

4) Assess the existing or potential environmental impact of land use projects on air,
water, and land.

5) Develop site-specific health and safety protocols, such as spill contingency plans
and methods for loading and transporting waste.

6) Design systems, processes, and equipment for control, management, and

remediation of water, air, and soil quality

7) Develop and present environmental compliance training or orientation sessions

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 8) Serve on teams conducting multimedia inspections at complex facilities, providing
assistance with planning, quality assurance, safety inspection protocols, and sampling.

9) Monitor progress of environmental improvement programs.

10) Provide administrative support for projects by collecting data, providing project
documentation, training staff, and performing other general administrative duties.

EXPLAIN
Activity 1: Environmental Engineer within Chemical Engineering
Self- assessment #4

Project yourself working on your dream company in future, only this time, as their
environmental engineer. Pick one of the given roles above that you think you will be
playing more often. Explain in not more than five sentences.

ELABORATE AND EVALUATE

Activity 2: Environmental Engineer within Chemical Engineering
Graded assignment #3

In each of the ten roles given above, name at least one industry that needs an
environmental engineer to play that role. Expound each in not more than two
sentences.

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 Unit 4: Environmental Ethics
UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Relate the different environmental ethics to everyday life as well as to future
profession

ENGAGE
Pocahontas, an animated film based on a real story, can be used to depict our lesson
for this unit. The story in itself tells clashing views of who is a savage for whom. The
story is imbued in its theme song “Colors of the Wind”. For those who have not yet
watched the film, we can sneak peek at the heart of the story by listening to its theme
song at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9MvdMqKvpU.

EXPLORE
Ethics vs. Morals

Before discussing the different environmental ethics, let us first differentiate ethics from
morals, two terms that are commonly interchanged but of different meanings.

Environmental issues involve a lot of consideration of ethics and morals. Since ethics is
different from moral, it is quite difficult to determine what is right and what is wrong.

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 Environmental Ethics

Engineering as a profession has great achievements in the general area of public

health, water supply, sewage treatment, waste treatment, etc. However, modern
engineers now realize that there are also negative and long-term impacts of
engineering projects on ecology as well as on human health. The dilemmas for
engineers for the design for such projects are many since no longer can engineers and
scientists hide behind technology and economics

Our profession must share responsibility for the ethical dilemmas or face the long-term
consequences of such issues returning to haunt us. Engineers must be more
adaptable, flexible and be able to collaborate with groups (environmental and
community groups) for inputs at the inception of projects

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 EXPLAIN
Activity 1: Ethics of the Wind
Self-Assessment #5

In not more than three sentences, describe the type of environmental ethics that
Pocahontas and John Smith are representing basing it from the music video alone.
(Note: They may represent different ethics from the movie.)

Activity 2: Environment and Me

Self-Assessment #6

Take time to examine your behavior this past two years when you were already
enrolled in the university. What actions have you been doing that are related to the
environment? What environmental ethics have you been living to? How different are
these actions when you were in high school? What brought these changes or why
aren’t they that different? Express your thoughts in not more than eight sentences.

ELABORATE
DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

1. Corporate Environmental Ethics

Corporation is defined as a legal entity designed to operate at a profit. Ethics are

involved when it cuts corners in production quality or waste disposal to maximize profit.
These corporate decisions involve only minimal considerations to the public interest,
while every effort is exerted to maximize profit. Thus, each corporation/ company is
required to take up their Environmental Corporate Responsibility and to evaluate these
responsibilities are the following tools:

a) Valdez Principles
 have been formulated to guide and evaluate corporate conduct towards the
environment
 the Valdez Principles support a wide range of environmental issues.
 Protection of the biosphere and encouragement of industries to minimize
or eliminate the emission of pollutants.
 Protection of biodiversity and insuring the sustainable development of
land, water, forests, and other natural resources

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 Advocate of the use of recycling whenever possible, support safe

disposal methods, and encourage the use of safe and sustainable energy
sources
 Energy efficiency
 Marketing of products that have minimal environmental impact.
 They are named after the Exxon Valdez, an oil tanker which ran aground off the
Alaskan coast in 1989, causing considerable environmental damage

b) ISO 14000 (International Standard Organization)

 certification for environmental management, i.e., on meeting environmental
responsibilities, controlling risks and reducing liabilities
 a family of standards related to environmental management that exists to help
organizations in the ff:
 minimizing the negatively impacts of their operations, processes, etc. in
the environment (i.e. cause adverse changes to air, water, or land)
 complying with applicable laws, regulations, and other environmentally
oriented requirements

2.Societal Environmental Ethics

Societies tend to continue to consume natural resources as if the supplies were never
ending. Growth, expansion and domination remain the central socio-cultural objectives
of most advance societies. On the other hand, economic growth and exploitation is the
common attitudes shared by developing societies.

3.Individual Environmental Ethics

Recognition of individual responsibility must then lead to real changes in individual
behavior. In other words, our environmental ethics must be reflected in changes in the
ways we all live our daily lives
There have been environmental movements organized by an organization or a group
of people to influencing public opinion and they have been effective in moving the
business community towards environmental ethics.

4. Global Environmental Ethics

Industrialized countries contain only 23% of the world’s population and yet they control
80% of the world’s goods and are responsible for a majority of its pollution. While
developing countries struggle to catch up with developed countries, the result seems to
be the destruction of their forests and the depletion of their soils. To avoid further
exploitation of natural resources, International Protocols have been established.

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 International Protocols are international conventions where nations can work together
to solve common environmental problems. To name a few of these protocols are as
follows:

a. The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer

 a landmark international agreement designed to protect the stratospheric ozone
layer. Originally signed in 1987 and substantially amended in 1990 and 1992,
the Montreal Protocol stipulates that the production and consumption of
compounds that deplete ozone in the stratosphere--chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),
halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform--are to be phased out by
2000 (2005 for methyl chloroform).
* The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (1985), which outlines
states' responsibilities for protecting human health and the environment against the
adverse effects of ozone depletion, established the framework under which the
Montreal Protocol was negotiated

b.Kyoto Protocol, a Convention on the Global Climate Change

 an international agreement that sets a target reduction of GHG emissions for 37
industrialized countries and European communities starting from 2008 to 2012.
Specifically, it requires an average reduction of five percent from the GHG
emission recorded in 1990
 Participating countries that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol have committed to cut
emissions of not only carbon dioxide, but of also other greenhouse gases, being:
o Methane(CH4)
o Nitrousoxide (N2O)
o Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
o Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
o Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)

EVALUATE
Activity 3: Environment, My Neighborhood and My Future Profession
Graded Assignment #4

Answer each of the following in not more than five sentences:

1. You were raised by your grandparents who worshipped nature and was instilled
with values of holding nature with high reverence. When you enrolled in a
university, you moved to a neighborhood in the city. The people are friendly and
very sociable however you noticed that they have no respect for their environment.
Litters are everywhere and even their household water discharges are directed to
the river. Caught in this dilemma, what can you do for your new environment

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 without compromising your personal belief or your relationship with your
neighbors?
2. You were able to land your dream job in your dream company. In your first day,
you were given a tour and you observed that their waste management and
disposal is far from the required standards. Your job gave you an opportunity to
look in the company’s records and you found out that they have been faking their
reports to the environmental agency for years. You tried clarifying it with your boss
and he offered to triple your salary if you keep it a secret or else they will be
blacklisting your own professional record to their associate companies. What will
you do?

Activity 4: ANALYSIS BOOST – DAY 2 WRAP UP

(OPTIONAL)

Examine each statement below. All of them are false. Interchange two words in each
statement to make it true. You might want to challenge yourself by completing the
activity in three minutes. This activity is solely up to you. Just remember honesty is the
best policy!
1. Preservation balances absolute conservation and developmental ethics.
2. Recognition of individual behavior must then lead to real changes in individual
responsibility.
3. The Vienna Convention outlines the states' responsibilities for protecting human
health and the ozone against the adverse effects of environment depletion.
4. Environmental engineers must collaborate with environmental scientists,
planners, environmental waste technicians, engineers, and other specialists,
and experts in law and business to address hazardous problems.
5. Modern engineers now realize that there are also negative and long-term
impacts of ecology on engineering project as well as on human health.
6. Industrialized countries contain only 23% of the world’s goods and yet they
control 80% of the world’s population.
7. Environmental engineers inspect industrial and municipal facilities and
programs in order to ensure operational effectiveness and evaluate compliance
with environmental regulations.
8. Protection of forest and insuring the sustainable development of land, water,
biodiversity, and other natural resources is stipulated under Valdez Principles.
9. Ethics are involved in a corporation when it cuts corners in profit or waste
disposal to maximize production quality.
10. Ethics dwells on right or wrong based on the code of people that a group of
society adhere to.

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 Unit 5: Environmental Legislations
UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Identify violations against environmental legislations in a given scenario

ENGGAGE
RISE AGAINST COLLAPSE
Some of you may be familiar with the American punk band “Rise Against”. To introduce
our lesson for this unit, we listen to their one of their song “Collapse (Post Amerika)”.
As you listen, try spotting the environmental offenses the song is implying. You may
even want to relate the lyrics to the different environmental ethics previously discussed.
You may listen to the song repeatedly at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCq-
x5RHsJA if you want.

EXPLORE
Before we discuss the different legislations, we first define some of the terminologies
that will be repeatedly used in this unit:
-a piece of legislation used to create policy in order to carry out
the principles of the Constitution
R. A. Republic Act
- crafted and passed by the Congress of the Philippines and
approved by the President of Philippines
Presidential - an innovation made by President Ferdinand E. Marcos with the
P.D.
Decree proclamation of Martial Law
-acts of the President providing for rules of a general or
Executive
E.O. permanent character in implementation or execution of
Order constitutional or statutory powers
DENR - enforceable order issued by the Department of Environment
DAO
Administrative and Natural Resources to the public to take certain corrective
Order action or to refrain from any activity
-laws that are meant to control and regulate the use and disposal
Chemical
CCO of asbestos into the environment to avoid the adverse
Control Order consequences
Implementing - very specific policies and often address highly technical details
IRR Rules and of legislation.
Regulations - facilitate the implementation of a legislation

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 Environmental legislation includes all laws pertaining to the management of natural
resources and the regulation of discharge of materials into the environment. It plays a
critical role in promoting environmental protection through:
- Sustainable use of natural resources
- Pollution prevention
- Integration of environment and development objectives
Environmental legislations provide an important framework for regulating social
behavior and transforming sustainable development policies into enforceable norms of
behavior. Environmental laws assist the government in adhering to international
protocols and building national capacities to address major global, national, regional
and local environmental issues and problems in the context of sustainable
development.

I. POLLUTION CONTROL LEGISLATIONS

1) Republic Act No. 3931 (July 10, 1967)

 An act creating the National Water and Air Pollution Control Commission
2) Presidential Decree No. 1251
 Imposing a fee on Operating Mining Companies to be known as Mine Wastes
and Tailing Fee to compensate for Damages to Private landowners and for other
purposes
3) Presidential Decree No. 1151 (June 6, 1977): Philippine Environmental Policy
 Defines the general policies on the pursuit of a better quality of life for the
present and future generations
 Mandates the undertaking of Environmental Impact Assessment for all projects
which may significantly affect the environment
4) Presidential Decree No. 1152: Philippine Environmental Code
 Defined the objectives of the policy and strategies for various aspect of
environmental management, such as air, water quality, natural resource
development, land and waste management
 Tells about how to implement /enforce PD 1151
 IRR of PD 1151
5) Presidential Decree No. 825 (November 7, 1985)
 Providing penalty for improper disposal of garbage and other forms of
uncleanliness and for other purposes
6) Presidential Decree No. 984 (August 8, 1976): Pollution Control Law

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  Seeks to prevent, abate, and control pollution of water, air, and land for a more
effective utilization of the resources of the country
7) Presidential Decree No. 1181
 Providing for the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution from motor
vehicles and other purposes (installation of pollution control device)
8) Presidential Decree No. 1160
 Vesting authority in Barangay captains to enforce pollution and environmental
control laws and for other purposes
9) DENR Administrative Order No. 34
 Revised water usage and classification / water quality criteria
 As to how the water usage was classified, you may visit http://www.wepa-
db.net/policies/law/philippines/dao34_1990.htm.

10) DENR Administrative Order No. 35

 Revised effluent regulations
 For the effluent standards for the different water quality parameters, you may check http://www.wepa-
db.net/policies/law/philippines/dao35_1990.htm.

11) Republic Act No. 6969

 An act to control toxic substances, hazardous, and nuclear wastes
12) DENR Administrative Order 29 series of 1992 (DAO 92-29)
 IRR of RA 6969
 regulate the importation, manufacture, processing, distribution, use and disposal
of chemical substances and mixtures that present unreasonable risk and/or
injury to health or the environment
12) DENR Administrative Order No. 14A series of 1993
 Revised air quality standards from DAO 14
13) Republic Act 8749: Clean Air Act of 1999
 Provides for a comprehensive air pollution control policy
 Stipulates the development of an integrated air quality improvement framework,
standards on ambient air quality from mobile and stationary sources and
mitigation of all sources of air pollution
14) DENR Administrative Order 81 series of 2000
 IRR of RA 8749 laying down the functions and powers of concerned agencies
15) Republic Act 9003: Ecological Solid Waste Management Act

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  An act providing for an ecological solid waste management program, creating
the necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives
 Reduce, Reuse Recycle was tackled in this act

II. EIS (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT) REGULATIONS

Environmental Impact Statement - a government document that outlines the impact of a
proposed project on its surrounding environment
1) Presidential Decree No. 1586: Environmental Impact Statement System
 declares the policy to ensure the attainment of environmental quality that is
conducive to a life of dignity and recognizes the right of the people to a healthy
environment
2) DENR Administrative Order No. 08 series of 1991
 Guidelines on the issuance of Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) or
 Environmental Clearance (EC) for the conversion of agricultural lands to non-
agricultural uses
3) DENR Administrative Order No. 21 series of 1992
 Amended the revised rules and regulations implementing PD 1586
4) DENR Administrative Order No. 11 series of 1992
 Supplementing DAO 21 series of 1992 and providing for Programmatic
Compliance Procedures within the EIS

III. PRESERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

1)PD 705: Amended Forestry Reform Code
 Codifies, updates and revises all forestry laws & emphasizes sustainable
utilization of forest resources
2) PD 953 & 1153
 Laws penalizing illegal cutting of trees
 PD 953 – planting of trees on certain areas and restriction of illegal
logging
 PD 1153 – requires all citizen to PLANT A TREE PER MONTH FOR FIVE
CONSECUTIVE YEARS (Did you abide with this law already?)
3) PD 331
 Requires all public forests to be developed on a sustainable yield basis
4) PD 1067: Water Code of the Philippines

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  Integrates all laws governing the ownership, appropriation, use, exploitation
development, conservation and protection of the country’s water resources
5) PD 1198
 Reinforces restoration of mined-out areas to their original condition to the extent
possible
6) RA 8550: Fisheries Code of the Philippines
 Defines policies on the protection, conservation, and effective management of
fisheries stock as well as identifying allowable fishing methods in the country’s
coastal waters.
7) RA 9275: Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (PCWA)
 An act providing for a comprehensive water quality management and for other
purposes
8) RA 9147: Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001
 An act providing for the conservation and protection of wildlife resources and
their habitats
9) DAO 90-15
 Regulations governing the utilization, development and management of
mangrove resources
10) DAO 2000-29
 Guidelines regulating the harvesting and utilization of forest products within
community-based forest management areas
11) RA 7586: National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 (NIPAS)
 Set forth in detail the processes by which DENR and other concerned
institutions and agencies will establish and manage the NIPAS
12) DAO 2019-05 and DAO 1992-25
 IRRs of RA 7586
13) RA 7942: Philippine Mining Act of 1995
 An act instituting new system of mineral resources exploitation, development,
utilization & conservation
14) DAO 2010-21, DAO 96-49
 IRRs of RA 7942
15) RA 7076: People’s Small-scale Mining Act of 1991

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  Small-scale mining as source of employment but must comply with the pertinent
rules and regulations on environmental protection and conservation
16) PD 1219: Coral Resources Development and Conservation Decree
 A decree providing for the exploration, exploitation, utilization and conservation
of coral resources
17) RA 8048: Coconut Preservation Act of 1995
18) RA 9168: Philippine Plant Variety Protection Act of 2002
 An act providing protection to new plant varieties, establishing National Plant
Variety Protection Board
19) RA 3571
 An act to prohibit the cutting, destroying or injuring of planted or growing trees,
flowering plants and shrubs or plants of scenic value in public places
20) RA 3572
 An act to prohibit the cutting of tindalo, akle or molave trees

IV. OTHERS
1) Executive Order No. 259
 An act to rationalize the soap and detergent surfactant industry and thereby
promote and expand the utilization of chemicals derived from coconut oil and for
other purposes
2) DAO 2000 -02: Chemical Control Order (CCO) for asbestos
3) RA 9175: Chainsaw Law
 Regulates ownership, possession, sale, importation and use of chainsaw
 Chainsaw must be registered before using
4) DAO 97-39: CCO for cyanide and cyanide compounds
5) DAO 2019-17: CCO for arsenic and its compounds
6) EO 542 of President Ferdinand Marcos
 Creation of the “Taskforce for Pawikan”
7) RA 3983
 An act to protect wild flowers and plants in the Philippines prescribing conditions
under which they may be collected, kept, sold, exported & for other purposes
8) RA 9792: Climate Change Act of 2009

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  An act mainstreaming climate change into government policy formulations,
establishing the framework strategy and program on climate change, creating
for this purpose the Climate Change Commission and for other purposes
9) RA 9367 – Biofuel Act of 2006
 A mandatory biofuels standard which requires a 5% ethanol blend for gasoline
within two years, increasing to 10% within 4 years under the approval of a new
National Biofuels Board. A 1% biodiesel blend for diesel is required within 3
months, to be increased to 2% within 2 years

EXPLAIN
Activity 1: Rising Against Collapse
Self-Assessment #7

Listen to the song once again and try to pinpoint some violations of environmental
legislations implied by the lyrics of the song. Express your thought in not more than six
sentences.

ELABORATE AND EVALUATE

Activity 2: Case Study
Graded Assignment #5

Read the following scenarios and answer the questions that follow. Limit your answer
to three sentences each.
A manufacturing company imports process water from the river and discharges it back.
It has a stack for its atmospheric discharges.
1.Give two possible violations the company is committing and what could be done to
avoid these.
2. Their manufacturing involves Cacodylic acid and sodium cyanide. Name four
legislations that they need to take into consideration.
3. They want to increase their yield by expanding their plant but its immediate
surrounding is a forest. Suggest an environmental legislation and how can they avoid it.

Activity 3: MEMORY BOOST – DAY 3 WRAP UP

(OPTIONAL)

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 Match Column A with Column B and Column B with Column C. You might want to
challenge yourself by completing the activity in a minute. This activity is solely up to
you. Just remember honesty is the best policy!
A B C (IRR)
1. PD 1151 A. National Integrated Protected Areas (6.) A. PD 1152
System
2. RA 6969 B. Philippine Mining Act (7.) B. DAO 29 series of 1992
3. PD 1586 C. Environmental Impact Statement (8.) C. DAO 21 series of 1992
System
4. RA 7942 D. Toxic Substance Control (9.) D. DAO 25 series of 1992
5. RA 7586 E. Philippine Environmental Policy (10.) E. DAO 49 series of 1996

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 Module 1 Evaluative Assessment

Your EVALUATIVE ASSESSMENT will be

posted on our GOOGLE CLASSROOM
on DATE.

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 References

Enger, E. D. (2013). Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships (13th ed.).

n.p.: McGraw-Hill Education.
Cornwell, D. A. & Davis, M. L. (2012). Introduction to Environmental Engineering (5th
ed.) n.p.: McGraw-Hill Education.
Lutgen, F. K. & Tarbuck E.J. (2005). Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (8th
ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. (n.d.). Retrieved June 5, 2020 from
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/.
DENR Administrative Order No. 34 Series of 1990. (n.d.). WEPA. Retrieved June 6,
2020 from http://www.wepa-
db.net/policies/law/philippines/dao34_1990.htm.
DENR Administrative Order No. 35 Series of 1990. (n.d.). WEPA. Retrieved June 6,
2020 from http://www.wepa-
db.net/policies/law/philippines/dao35_1990.htm.
Beck, E. C. (1979, January). The Love Canal Tragedy. US Environmental Protection
Agency. Retrieved June 3, 2020 from
https://archive.epa.gov/epa/aboutepa/love-canal-tragedy.html.
African Savanna. (n.d.). National Geographic. Retrieved June 4, 2020 from
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/african-savanna-illustration/.
What is Biosphere 2?. (n.d.). Biosphere 2 Where science lives. Retrieved June 4, 2020
from https://biosphere2.org/visit/what-is-biosphere-2.
alisWebsite. (2016, June 29). Occupational Video – Environmental Engineer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyZw4ni1DE0.
Disney. (2016, July 9). Pocahontas | Colors of the Wind | Disney Sing-Along.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9MvdMqKvpU.
themightychickens. (2008, Oct 8). Rise Against – Collapse (Post Amerika) (with lyrics).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCq-x5RHsJA.

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means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.