TOPIC 1:

WATER RESOURCES AND QUALITY

INTRODUCTION

Water quality refers to the basic chemical and physical characteristics of water that determine its suitability for life or for human uses Importance of water usage

SOURCES OF WATER SUPPLY

Surface water resources -rivers, lakes, reservoirs, dams Ground water resources - Aquifer

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTIC

Turbidity Taste and odor Colour Temperature

Water Quality: Turbidity

Turbidity is a measure of water clarity which is how much the material suspended in water decreases the passage of light through the water. Suspended materials include soil particles (clay, silt, and sand), algae, plankton, microbes, and other substances. These materials are typically in the size range of 0.004 mm (clay) to 1.0 mm (sand). Turbidity can affect the colour of the water.

Low levels of turbidity may indicate a healthy, well-functioning ecosystem, with moderate amounts of plankton present to fuel the fuel the food chain.
However, higher levels of turbidity pose several problems for stream systems. Turbidity blocks out the light needed by submerged aquatic vegetation. It also can raise surface water temperatures above normal because suspended particles near the surface facilitate the absorption of heat from sunlight.

Water Quality: Colour, Taste & Odour

Colour

Although colour in raw water can be present in groundwater due to certain minerals, it is primarily a concern for surface water sources. This is due to the decomposition of organic material.

Taste and Odour

Taste and odour in water can be due to factors such as chemicals, minerals, decaying organic matter, and dissolved gases. The most common causes of odour in drinking water are the presence of hydrogen sulphide, iron, or sulphur-reducing bacteria. Even though taste and odour are considered more of an aesthetic concern, they can also indicate the presence of contaminants that are harmful to a persons health.

Water Quality: Temperature

Temperature is a basic water quality variable Temperature determines the suitability of water for various forms of aquatic life For example, trout and salmon require cool temperature for survival and reproduction whereas bass and sunfish do better at warmer temperatures Temperature in water bodies generally follows mean daily air temperature

CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTIC

pH Acidity Alkalinity Hardness Sulphates Iron Solid Nitrate

Water Quality: pH

pH is a measure of the acidic or basic characteristics of water Specifically, pH = -log [H+] So a pH of 7 means the [H+]=10-7 A pH of 7 is considered neutral, below 7 is acidic and above 7 is basic

Water Quality: pH

Organisms generally prefer a pH of 5-9 with some being even more picky A near neutral pH will allow the greatest diversity of life

Water Quality: pH

Precipitation in our area has a pH of 4-4.5 and is called acid rain This is due to air pollution by NOx and SOx from vehicles and power plants Even where there no pollution rain has a pH of about 5.4 because of dissolution of CO2 from the air Many species are vulnerable to acid rain

Water Quality: Alkalinity

The ability of a water body to resist acidification is called alkalinity Alkalinity is generally attributable to the amount of carbonate (CO3-2) and bicarbonate (HCO3-) in the water Alkalinity is generally measured in units of mg/L as CaCO3

Water Quality: Alkalinty

Streams, lakes and wetlands with moderate to high alkalinity are not subject to acidification whereas low alkalinity waters are very vulnerable Development tends to increase alkalinity somewhat due to the mobilization and washin of carbonates and bicarbonates

Water Quality: Hardness

Hardness is a measure of the amount of calcium (Ca+2) and magnesium (Mg+2) ions in the water Hardness determines how hard or easy it is to lather soap The units are, like alkalinity, mg/L as CaCO3 Hardness also affects the toxicity of heavy metals Hardness also tends to increase somewhat with increasing watershed development

Ca++

Mg++

Water Quality: Dissolve Solid

Solids in water occur either in solution or in suspension. The solids in the water that remain after filtration and evaporation as residue are called total dissolved solids, or TDS. Dissolved solids can be removed from water by filtration and evaporation, and also by electro dialysis, reverse osmosis, or ion exchange. Dissolved solids may be organic or inorganic, and come from water's contact with substances in soil, on surfaces, and in the atmosphere. Organic dissolved constituents come from decayed vegetation, and from organic chemicals and gases. These dissolved minerals, gases, and organic constituents may cause physiological effects, as well as color, taste, and odor problems.

BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTIC

Fecal coliform Total coliform Virus protozoa

Water Quality:Total Coliform

Total coliform is a group of several species of bacteria with similar characteristics. They all may be found naturally in the environment; in the soil, in plants and animals. Most coliform bacteria can be found in the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals. Total coliform are indicator bacteria. Their presence indicates the possible presence of disease-causing organisms; other bacteria, viruses or protozoa, such as Giardia, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium, and Shigella. These pathogens cause diseases like typhoid fever, cholera, and gastroenteritis.

Water Quality: Fecal Coliform

Fecal coliform bacteria are non-disease causing organisms which are found in the intestinal tract of all warm-blooded animals. Each discharge of body wastes contains large amounts of these organisms. The presence of fecal coliform bacteria in a stream or lake indicates the presence of human or animal wastes. The number of fecal coliform bacteria present is a good indicator of the amount of pollution present in the water.

Water Quality: Protozoa

Protozoa are single-celled organisms that live mainly in water. Many protozoa we know as parasites, but like bacteria, they can be classified as helpful or harmful. At times, drinking water can become infested with certain protozoa which are not disease causing, but will give the water a fish taste and odor. Protozoa are often found in groundwater that has being influenced by surface water sources. Usually 2 to 50 microns in diameter, much larger than bacteria.

Water Quality:Viruses

Viruses are the smallest of the infectious microorganisms. They cannot be seen under a microscope, as they are only 0.004 to 0.1 micron in diameter, and thus can pass through porcelain filters capable of screening out bacteria. Viruses are a unique kind of parasite that are incapable of growth unless they are in the presence of living cells. They can survive both freezing and drying. While viruses are more difficult to directly detect in a water source, they can be carried in feces of both animals and humans. This is why fecal coliform bacteria is a good indicator of sewage contamination. The presence of coliform bacteria in sewage may mean that the water source itself is contaminated with other parasites. It is important to note, however, that the absence of coliform bacteria in a water source does not necessarily indicate the absence of parasites in that water source.

Water Contamination

Contaminants that may be in untreated water include: microorganisms (viruses and bacteria) inorganic contaminants (salts and metals) pesticides and herbicides sediments organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes and petroleum use radioactive contaminants. Water quality depends on the local geology and ecosystem, as well as human uses (sewage dispersion, industrial pollution, use of water bodies as a heat sink

Malaysian Laws & Regulations

Parliamentary Acts National Policies of Government of Malaysia - Third National Agricultural Policy (1998 - 2010)

Federal Constitutions Ministerial Functions Act (1969) (Perintah Menteri-Menteri Persekutuan 2004) : DID Role In River Management In On Flood Mitigation and River Conservancy Other Legislations

Land Acts National Land Code 1965 And Waters

Land Conservation Act 1960 Flood Mitigation Drainage Works Act 1954 (1988) Local Government Act (1976): (Peninsular) Earthworks Bylaws Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (1994) Town and Country Planning Act 1976

Malaysian Laws & Regulations

River Management Waters Act 1920 (Act 418) & Water Supply (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) Act 1998 (Act 581)

Mining Enactment 1962 (F.M.S. Cap 147) Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127) & Subsidiary Legislation Ministerial Functions Act 1969 (Act 2) National Forestry Act 1984 (Act 313) & Wood-Based Industries (State Legislatures Competency) Act 1984 (Act 314) Fisheries Act 1985 (Act 317) and Regulations Water Act 1989 - Chapter 15 Sewerage Services Act 1993 (Act 508) & Regulations And Orders

Coastal Management

Town and Country Planning Act 1976 Environmental Quality Act 1974: (1985) Environmental Quality Order 1987 (Environmental Impact Assessment - Prescribed Activities) Mining Enactment 1936 (F.M.S. Cap 147)

Fisheries Act 1963 (1985) / Inland Fisheries Act

Malaysian Laws & Regulations

Hydrological & Water Resources

Drainage Works Act 1954 (1988) Waters Act 1920 (Cap 146) (1989) Street, Drainage and Building 1974 (Act 133) - Section 70A(9) Street, Drainage and Building 1974 (Act 133) - Section 71

Urban Stormwater

Agriculture Drainage Third National Agricultural Policy (1998-2010)

Irrigation Areas Act 1953 (1989) Drainage Works Act 1954 (1988) Waters Act 1920 (Cap 146) (1989) Fisheries Act 1963 (1985) / Inland Fisheries Act

References

Source: Water Treatment Dealer, July/August 2002, What are bacteria, protozoa and viruses? by Lou Smith, Water Quality Consultant, Canadian Water Quality Association) The official portal of DID Malaysia