FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

DISCUSSION SUSPENDED SOLID

1. Based on the Suspended Solid parameter in National Water Quality

Standards for Malaysia, the all water sample tested are classified
into Class V. Class V is the class where the river or the water
quality was apparently polluted and required intense treatment.
There are so many suspended solid (organic and inorganic) in it
which containing harmful microorganism and others.

2. From the results calculated, the value for suspended solid at

Kampung Pertama (495.00 mg/L) was higher than Sungai Derhaka
(425.64 mg/L) while UiTM sewage treatment plant (322.22 mg/L)
show the lowest values but still in the Class V. Clearly we can say
that Kampung Pertama drain was very dirty and it is full with
suspended solid such as dry leaves, twig, pieces snail shells,
animal waste, algae, plastic, straw and many others. Plus, the area
where the sample was taken is nearly to the place where
construction work is occurring. So, the construction material and
waste may flow into the drain and increase the rate of suspended
solids in the sample.

3. Meanwhile, for Sungai Derhaka sample, the value of total

suspended solid was not high as the Kampung Pertama drain. This
is because the sample was taken at the surface of the river. This
may cause only a few percent of the suspended solid enter the
bottle of the sample. Suspended solid found in this sample basically
organic matter such as dry leaves, twig, and tiny soil particles. The
high amount of suspended solids in the river water sample indicates
that the sample was taken at the downstream of the river. This is
because, at the downstream of the river, the condition of the river
was bad compared to the upstream part. The upstream part cared
from pollution and human activities while at downstream, the river
was exposed to many human activities which contribute to the high
amount of sediment and suspended solid especially inorganic
solids.

4. UiTM STP show the smallest values of suspended solid because

the water sample taken was currently have undergoes some
treatment process. The biggest particle of the suspended solid such
as leaves and twigs may have been removed by the screening
process used to prevent the entrance of the suspended solid. But
the fine size particle still available such as fine soil particle in the
water sample in the high values as the volume of the water sample
used for the test is the lowest.

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5. Suspended solids are mostly responsible for turbidity which define

as haziness of water caused by particles and also brings few effect
to the environment. Its can visually displeasing to our sight. Visually
we can see that Kampung Pertama drain and Sungai Derhaka was
polluted, very dirty and it’s unpleasant to our sight. It also provides
adsorption sites for chemical and biological agents. Suspended
organic solids can be degraded biologically results in objectionable
by-products. Plus, biologically active suspended solids can cause
disease-causing organisms such as toxic producing strains of
algae.

6. Suspended solid appears by some factors. The factors are :

 Decaying plants and Animals
As plants and animals decay, suspended organic particles are
released.

 Urban runoff
When surface runoff occurs due to raining or other reasons, soil
particles and debris from the land surface can be washed into
streams.

 Soil erosion
Soil erosion is caused by the disturbance of a land surface. The
eroded soil particles can be carried by stormwater to surface
water.

7. Generally, suspended solids determination is extremely valuable in

the analysis of polluted water. Solids (organic/inorganic) in water is
an important parameter to measure the quality of wastewater
influent, to monitor several water treatment processes, and to
measure the quality of the waste. Suspended Solid can be removed
by the primary treatment. This treatment will allow particles to settle
to the bottom next treatment without suspended solid can continue.

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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
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DISSOLVED OXYGEN (DO) & BIOCCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND

(BOD)

1. From the calculation by the given formula, the Biochemical Oxygen

Demand (BOD) are 78 mg/L. While the Dissolved Oxygen (DO) are
11.30mg/L.

2. DO test results shows the water is in healthy condition and fit for
aquatic life as the value was high. By referring to National Water
Quality Standard, the value of the DO was essential for the
maintenance of healthy lakes and rivers. The results show the
ability of water to sustain aquatic life was good.

3. For BOD parameter, the results calculated was really high in

number and enough to show that Sungai Derhaka was badly
polluted by referring to National Water Quality Standard. This high
value of BOD which is 78 mg/L indicates that high quantity of
oxygen was used by the microorganism to compose their organic
matter. By comparing the results to National Drinking Water
Standard, the value of BOD shows that Sungai Derhaka cannot be
used as potable water without undergo any water treatment
process. This is because, higher value of BOD show the water was
bad in quality and full with unwanted bacteria.

4. The lower value of DO can cause aquatic plant to die as the

bacteria will use DO to compose organic matter and show the river
at the high level of pollution. A Higher value of DO indicates the
river cleaned. Usually, the amount of DO used was higher at the
surface of the water because photosynthesis happens via the
microorganisms. This means, the higher the DO, the river was
clean, conservation of natural environment, practically no treatment
necessary and very sensitive aquatic live can development.

5. The increased level of BOD in water indicates that it is not fit for
portable use. The lower the amounts of BOD the lesser the rate of
pollution of the water because it decelerates the bacterial growth.
BOD can be minimized in the wastewater by increasing the amount
of oxygen in the water, the oxygen level will slowly increase
downstream. The oxygen supports bacterial growth down the
organic BOD. The rate of oxygen can be increased by introducing
oxidizing agent. The oxidizing agents will chemically attack the
organics substances in wastewater.

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6. In this experiment, the sample was incubated for 5 day ay 20ºC.

The sample was incubated with the reduction of dissolved oxygen
indicates the amount of oxygen utilizes by the bacteria. In other
words, all the organic content would be exhausted and bacteria
can’t actively to compose organic matter.

7. Manganese Sulphate (MnSO4) and Alkali-Iodide-Azide reagent was

used in this experiment. This two reagent will produce Manganese
Hydroxide where DO present in the sample will rapidly oxidized. So,
in order to produce this Manganese Hydroxide, method to add
those two reagent must practically correct. Will adding the
Manganese Sulphate (MnSO4) and Alkali-Iodide-Azide, the pipette
should be dipped inside the sample. If both reagent was added
above the sample surface, oxygen will introduce into the sample
which can affect the reading of dissolved oxygen.

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ENUMERATION OF BACTERIA (E-COLI)

1. The result of this experiment was based on the IDEXX Quanti-

Tray/2000 MPN Table (per 100ml). From the table, the number of
Total Coliforms was found to be 691 MPN/100 mL while for E-Coli
was found to be 69100 MPN/100 m. The amount of Most Probable
Number (MPN) was determined by determining the number of
positive wells of the tray by using room lighting for Total Coliform
and UV light for E-Coli.

2. The value of Total Coliform was found to pass the requirement of

the Recommend Raw Water Quality as the results, 691 MPN/100
mL was lower than standard, 5000 MPN/100 mL. In term of Total
Coliform, the river water was just accepted as Total Coliform
bacteria are common in the environment and generally harmless.
Most of the Total Coliform bacteria do not cause disease. Total
Coliform can be found easier at any place as it is one of the kind
bacteria But it can make us sick if ingested to drink as it doesn’t
pass the Drinking Water Quality Standard which required 0 in 100
mL. Total Coliform should totally absent in the water to make it is
safe to drink. Basically, Total Coliform is used as the indicator for
the E-Coli detection.

3. The value of the E-Coli which are 69100 MPN/m does not fulfill both
Recommend Raw Water Quality and Drinking Water Standard. This
positive E-Coli result is much more serious than Total Coliform
alone because it indicates that animal or even human waste is
entering the river. As the water sample was taken at the
downstream, so it is easier for animal waste and human waste also
to enter the river. This waste will contribute to the growth of this
harmful bacteria. E-Coli is bad for our health as it can cause
intestinal infection, bloody diarrhea, dehydration and even kidney
failure. This bacteria can spread if we swim into the river or water
resources that are infected by E-Coli and drink it. E-Coli should
totally absent from drinking water.

4. Infection of E-Coli can be prevented easily by regularly wash our

hand after making contact with the water that infected by this
bacteria. But this Sungai Derhaka still needs to undergo water
treatment process to make sure the water is safe for us to consume
weather to use for body contact purpose and even for a drink. All

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the bacteria in the water can be killed by the process call

chlorination. Chlorination is the term used in the last process which
is disinfection process. This process was categorized in a chemical
process as chlorine was used to kills the bacteria. Chlorine was
known to destroy the bacteria by an oxidation process.

5. Colilert Reagent is used for the detection of Total Coliform and E-

Coli bacteria in the water sample. Colilert develops a nutrient
indicator that produces colour when metabolized by Total Coliform
and E-Coli. When the reagent was added to the sample and
incubated, it can detect the bacteria within 24 hours as many as it
can.

6. In this experiment, UV light was used to detect the presence of E-

Coli. UV light is used because bacteria tend to congregate on the
surface where high levels of flavin are presence. Flavin is a material
that releases a blue fluorescent glow when exposed to the UV light.

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SOURCES OF ERROR

1. Bottle to Kept Water Sample

Supposedly the bottle used to store the sample is the HDPE
Polythene Wide-Mouth Sample Bottle. But during taking the sample
at the river, we have used an empty mineral bottle to keep the
sample. The mineral bottle cannot be used because the bottle will
allow oxygen to enter the. So, microorganisms in the sample can
use the oxygen for respiration. This matter will affect the result of
the both Dissolved Oxygen & Biochemical Oxygen Demand test
and Enumeration of Bacteria test. But the effect just minor because
the sample was taken 2 hours before the test. Within that 2 hours,
the biological activity just takes place a bit. HDPE Polythene Wide-
Mouth Sample Bottle is high safety compared to the mineral bottle.

2. Sample Incubation Method

The purpose of incubation is to maintain microbiological culture in
the bottle. We have put the BOD bottle to be tested on day 5 for
incubation at the place where light can transmitted into the bottle.
This mistakes can support photosynthesis proses occurs by the
bacteria. When photosynthesis occurs, amount of oxygen used will
affect and the result of DO and BOD also will be not precise as it
should. As the solution to this mistakes, we have placed our BOD
bottle to the dark placed where light cannot transmitted but the
temperature still in the range 20º - 27º on the second day. The DO
concentration might change drastically during the first 24 hours
because of our mistakes in this incubation process.

3. Amount of Sample Used

Theoretically, the amount of sample needs to be poured into the
BOD bottle was 25% sample and 75% dilution water. Because of
misunderstanding in our procedure, we have put only 10 mL sample
and 290 mL dilution water. This mistake has an effect our DO and
BOD results. But the results just slight. We predict our test to fail on
the day 5, but fortunately, the test was passed and the results are
acceptable. So, here as we search for the procedures and concept
from many resources, we need to refer to our lecturer and confirm it
first before running the test.

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4. Parallax Error
This error occurs during measuring water sample to be transferred
into the 100 mL sterile vessel. The one who measuring the sample
might not place her eyes perpendicular to the scale of the sterile
vessel. The amount of sample transfer was less than 100 mL, the
volume might be in the range 90 – 95 mL. The effect of this
mistakes has caused two of the wells only have a few amounts of
sample. So, the number of positive wells for Total Coliform and E-
Coli decreases by two number. The MPN values also decrease. To
avoid this error by happen again, the eyes of the students should be
90º perpendicular to the scale of the sterile vessel and read at the
bottom of a meniscus of the liquid level.

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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

CONCLUSION As the conclusion, the objectives of this laboratory activity to evaluate

the water quality characteristic of sample water (raw) in term of
physical, chemical, biological pollutants based on the Water Quality
Index (WQI) and Interim National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia
(INWQS) was achieved. Suspended Solid was in the physical category,
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in the
chemical category and lastly Enumeration of Bacteria (E-Coli) was in
the biological category. All these three properties have been done
during this laboratory activities.

The Total Suspended Solid (SS) for sample A (Sungai Derhaka) is

425.64 mg/L, sample B (Kampung Pertama drain) is 495.00 mg/L
and sample C (UiTM STP) is 322.22 mg/L. All this three sample was
classified to be in Class V which is very polluted as the amounts of
suspended solids in the water sample was high and fulfil the
requirement of Class V for National Water Quality Standards for
Malaysia

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) calculated in the water sample is 17.00 mg/L

while Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) 78.00 mg/L. Based on the
results, Sungai Derhaka doesn’t satisfy the condition of Recommended
Raw Quality Standard. While according to National Water Quality
Standard, DO value was satisfied which at the good condition while
according to BOD the river was classified to the Class V.

Total Coliform and E-Coli was proved presence in the Sungai Derhaka
in the high amount. The number of Total Coliform was found to be 691
MPN/100 mL while for E-Coli was found to be 69100 MPN/100 m. Both
parameters do not fulfil the requirement for the Drinking Water Quality
Standards but the amounts of Total Coliform qualify in the
Recommended Raw Water Quality but the amounts of E-Coli does not
pass the qualification.

Overall, from the problem statement which we decide to investigate

Sungai Derhaka to identify the river status by using results for physical
(SS), chemical (DO & BOD) and biological (E-Coli) parameter, we have

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recognise that Sungai Derhaka was classified into Class V which are
very polluted based on the National Water Quality Standard and cannot
be used as potable water according to Drinking Water Quality
Standard.

WATER AND WASTE WATER ENGINEERING (ECW351)