Classification of Perlis river based on water quality index

Abstract

Water is one of the important sources for all living beings on earth. However, rapid development in our country has a balance of environmental damage resulting in water pollution. This study focused on the analysis of water quality in rivers around Perlis. There are five sampling points which located at Wet Market, Pengkalan Asam, Tebing Tinggi, Kuala Perlis and Wang Ulu. Applications for the use of water quality index (WQI) and national water quality standards for Malaysia (INWQS) performed as a basis for obtaining the classification of the river. Parameters of Water Quality Index to be carried out are dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids (SS), pH value, and ammoniacal nitrogen (AN). Most of the river in Perlis were in class III, which has a range of Water Quality Index (WQI) from 53 to 67. While only Wet Market sampling points are class IV with WQI, 40.66. Thus, in addressing this river pollution , there are few technologies that have been identified. The technology that has been identified is Eco-Bio Block, Biocord and Effective Microorganism technology. EM technology is a technology that is ideal in treating water quality compared to other technologies. This is because it has a low cost which is of only RM 3000 and the efficiency in the treatment of pollution in the river like in the Sebulung river with improvement in WQI reading from class V to class III .