A study of drinking water quality in Perlis

Abstract

Quality drinking water is an important aspect that needs to be emphasized. Realizing the importance of drinking water quality, the study of drinking water quality in Perlis was conducted. This study focuses on the quality of treated water that supplied for domestic use in Perlis. Sample of treated water are taken from the selected end user in Perlis. Four sampling points have been selected which is at Kuala Perlis, Kg. Padang Malau, Chuping, and Arau. All four listed sampling points are representing difference raw water resources which Kuala Perlis from Timah Tasuh Dam, Kg. Padang Malau from Semadong groundwater borewells, Chuping from groundwater borewells and Arau from Muda and Pedu Dam that mix with Arau groundwater. The sample of Reverse Osmosis (RO) water at Kuala Perlis was also taken for testing. All the sample of drinking water were tested in situ and ex situ for selected parameter. In situ parameters measured are temperature, pH, nitrate (NO3 −), turbidity and Total Dissolves Solid (TDS). The parameters for ex situ are Total Coliform, E.coli, Zinc (Zn), Chromium (Cr 6+ ) and Manganese (Mn). Most of the testing procedures carried out for this research followed the Standard Method for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, American Public Health Association (APHA). The tested drinking water are categorize with excellent, satisfactory, less satisfactory and poor based on their quality. According to the acquired data, the quality of water in Arau, Chuping and RO water is in satisfactory circumstances, while Kuala Perlis and Semadong is in poor circumstances.