diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index da8390d6..3bc0787d 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -21,7 +21,9 @@ DB_TEST_NAME=test_imis
 # Site root that will prefix all exposed endpoints. It's required when working with openIMIS frontend
 SITE_ROOT=api
 # Should the debug be on (i.e. debug information will be displayed)
-DEBUG=True
+MODE=DEV
+# this will also show the DB request in the console
+DJANGO_DB_LOG_HANDLER=console
 # Photo path root used in insuree module. Only used if InsureeConfig value not specified. Comment out for default.
 #PHOTO_ROOT_PATH=<photo path>
 # Should the database be migrated before start (entrypoint.sh - docker setup). Will be migrated anyway if $SITE_ROOT=api. Comment out for False
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6332705a..e6351ff7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 | SITE_ROOT                   | String                               | Site root that will prefix all exposed endpoints. It's required when working with openIMIS frontend. For example, if the value is set `api` then the endpoint will appear like `your_domain_name/api/xxx`                                                                                                                                                                                              |
 | DJANGO_LOG_LEVEL            | INFO, WARNING, ERROR, DEBUG          | Define the level of logs                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
 | DJANGO_LOG_HANDLER          | console, debug-log                   | Depending on the value set, application will print the logs                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
+| DJANGO_DB_LOG_HANDLER          | console, debug-log                   | Depending on the value set, application will print the logs                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
 | PHOTO_ROOT_PATH             | String                               | Define the path for the photos of insurees. This setting is used in the Insuree module. The value set here will be overwritten by the InsureeConfig file.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
 | DJANGO_MIGRATE              | True, False                          | Based on the value set, application runs the migration command before starting up. If the SITE_ROOT value is set to api then the migration will always run regardless of the value                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
 | SCHEDULER_AUTOSTART         | True, False                          | All the modules will be searched for the scheduled tasks, if the value is set to True                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
diff --git a/openIMIS/openIMIS/settings.py b/openIMIS/openIMIS/settings.py
index f7e157dc..9da25359 100644
--- a/openIMIS/openIMIS/settings.py
+++ b/openIMIS/openIMIS/settings.py
@@ -21,9 +21,15 @@
 
 # SECURITY WARNING: don't run with debug turned on in production!
 DEBUG = os.environ.get("MODE", "PROD") == "DEV"
-
-LOGGING_LEVEL = os.getenv("DJANGO_LOG_LEVEL", "DEBUG" if DEBUG else "WARNING")
 DEFAULT_LOGGING_HANDLER = os.getenv("DJANGO_LOG_HANDLER", "console")
+DEFAULT_DB_LOGGING_HANDLER = os.getenv("DJANGO_DB_LOG_HANDLER", "db-queries")
+LOGGING_LEVEL = os.getenv("DJANGO_LOG_LEVEL", "DEBUG" if DEBUG else "WARNING")
+if DEBUG:
+    EMAIL_BACKEND = 'django.core.mail.backends.console.EmailBackend'
+
+
+
+
 
 LOGGING = {
     "version": 1,
@@ -59,7 +65,7 @@
         "django.db.backends": {
             "level": LOGGING_LEVEL,
             "propagate": False,
-            "handlers": ["console" if os.environ.get("MODE", "PROD") == "DEV" else "db-queries"],
+            "handlers": [DEFAULT_DB_LOGGING_HANDLER],
         },
         "openIMIS": {
             "level": LOGGING_LEVEL,