Study of point and non-point sources pollution – A case study of Timah Tasoh Lake in Perlis

Abstract

Water resources in the catchment area came from various sources. Timah Tasoh catchment is surrounded with many types of land use activities ranging from urbanization to agriculture and quarrying. Human activities, such as urbanization and agriculture, have been imblamed for the degradation of water quality in many developing countries. The results show that agricultural activities, particularly use of agro-chemicals, pesticides and livestock waste have been recognized as non-point sources pollution of surface and subsurface water contamination of lake. Domestic and industrial wastes are identified as point source in the Timah Tasoh catchment area. Study was carried out on physical parameters such as pH and Turbidity, chemical parameters including Ammonia Nitrogen, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, Dissolved Oxygen, while biological water quality parameters consists of Escherichia Coli. Based on analyzed water quality compliance with Interim National Water Quality Standard (INWQS), it can concluded that point and non point source pollution that toward Station 1 – (Tasoh River) and Station 2 – (Pelarit River), both have potential to increase pollution rate in the Timah Tasoh catchment area.