FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

pH
DISCUSSION

1. Based on the pH parameter in National Water Quality Standards

for Malaysia, water sample from Sungai Pertama and Sungai
Pinang tested are classified into Class II. Class II is the class where
the river still needs a conventional treatment process and there are
sensitive aquatic species lives in the water. While Titi Kerawang
was in the class IV which this class of defining the water irrigated.
Irrigation here means the supply of water help growth agricultural
produces.

2. From the results measured, the highest pH was Sungai Pertama

(6.44), follow by Sungai Pinang (6.04) and the lowest is Titi
Kerawang waterfall (4.81). pH value for Sungai Pertama was quite
high which is 6.44. As the value was lower than 7, it can be
indicated acidity. One of the reasons that cause the result for
Sungai Pertama is carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon dioxide is the
most common causes of acidity in water. Photosynthesis by the
aquatic plants, respiration by aquatic species and decomposition
by microorganism all contribute to pH variations due to their
influence on CO2 level. This means that there are high rates of
respiration and decomposition in Sungai Pertama. While CO 2 exists
in water, it can react with water to form carbonic acid. Generally,
organic material decomposition to form acidic substances.

3. For Sungai Pinang, the pH also indicates acidity which is 6.04. As

we all know Sungai Pinang has been contaminated as it is located
less than 10 meters from the construction site, stall, and cow cage.
All the excess chemical materials from the construction can fall into
the river and have caused the alkalinity of the river to lessen.
Chemical can come from either construction or other industrial
waste and runoff. Mining operations produce acid runoff and acidic
groundwater seepage if the surrounding soil is poorly shielded.

4. Titi Kerawang waterfall shows the lowest reading of pH which is

4.81 also indicate acidity. Titi Kerawang was known as leisure
place for a holiday. But recently as Teluk Bahang and Batu
Feringgi are demanding with construction to improve Penang
Island, all those man-made constructions has effected this
waterfall. Acid rain is one of the best-known causes of human
influence on the pH of the water. As the construction need so many
chemical substances and release many chemical products, such as
sulphur and nitrogen oxides, it will reacts with water and form
precipitation and lastly fall down into the earth as the acid rain.
Terrifically, high level of CO2 can lower the pH of rain.

WATER AND WASTEWATER ENGINEERING (ECW351)

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

5. Determination of pH is one of the important objectives in biological

treatment of the wastewater. In anaerobic treatment, if the pH goes
below 5 due to the excess accumulation of acid, the process is
severely affected. Shifting of pH beyond 5 to 10 upsets the aerobic
treatment of the wastewater. pH generally can be adjusted by
addition of suitable acid or alkali. Chemical coagulation, disinfection
is some process for pH adjustment. A lower value of pH below 4
will produce sour taste and higher value above 8.5 will produce a
bitter taste. Generally, pH of neutral water is 7.0 and the
acceptable value of pH of potable water based on the standard is
6.5 to 9.0.

WATER AND WASTEWATER ENGINEERING (ECW351)

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

Turbidity

1. Based on the turbidity parameter in National Water Quality

Standards for Malaysia, water sample from Sungai Pertama tested
are classified into Class II. While Sungai Pinang and Titi Kerawang
were in Class I.

2. From the results measured, the highest turbidity was Sungai

Pertama (16.10 NTU), follow by Sungai Pinang (5.77 NTU) and the
lowest is Titi Kerawang waterfall (4.12 NTU). Turbidity value for
Sungai Pertama was highest; 16.10 NTU because of cloudiness of
the water which cloudy than other water samples. Titi Kerawang
has the lowest turbidity value because the water was really clear
which means Titi Kerawang has lesser dispersed or suspended
materials that obstructing the transmitted of light.

3. For Raw Water Quality Standard, all their water bodies were
approved according to standard. But for Raw Water Quality
Standard, only Titi Kerawang waterfall can be used to drink as the
value less than 5 NTU. Which mean Titi Kerawang water has less
amount of suspended materials such as clay, silt, finely divided
organic materials plankton and other inorganic materials. This
might be because Titi Kerawang was located on the hill and it was
treated and conserved well. While Sungai Pertama and Sungai
Pinang were located at an industrial and open area, so runoff easily
enter the water bodies and suspended materials also easily enter.

4. In natural water bodies, turbidity may impart a brown or another

colour to the water and may interfere with light penetration and
photosynthesis reaction in streams and lakes. Turbidity increases
the load on a slow sand filter. When turbidity in a water was high,
colloidal materials were present. Colloidal materials are materials
which exert turbidity provides adsorption sites for chemical and
biological organisms that may not be harmful. They may cause
undesirable taste and odour.

5. Measurement of turbidity in settled water prior to filtration is useful

in controlling chemical dosage so as to prevent excessive loading
of the rapid sand filter. Turbidity also important to determine the
optimum dosage of coagulants to treat domestic and industrial
wastewater and evaluate the performance of wastewater plant.

WATER AND WASTEWATER ENGINEERING (ECW351)

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

6. Generally, turbidity was measured based on the light scattering

property and directly affect the colour of the water. Turbidity can
affect aquatic life as high turbidity will prevent light from transmitted
to them thus photosynthesis and transpiration cant occurs.

Conductivity

1. Based on the conductivity parameter in National Water Quality

Standards for Malaysia, water sample from all water bodies was
classifies in Class I. Conductivity was known as the ability to
conduct or transmitted heat, electricity, and heat. Conductivity was
proportional to its ion concentration. This means there is less ion in
the water sample from all water bodies as the value was less than
1000 µs/cm yet so small number of results. The ion in water act as
electrolytes that conduct electricity.

2. The conductivity of water depends on the value of the pH,

temperature and the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) which has
been dissolved in the water to forms ions. The conductivity is also
affected by the concentration of ions already present in the water
such as chloride, sodium, and ammonium. The chemical
composition of water determines the conductivity.

3. High concentration of conductivity usually found in the sea as the

high level of salt. The freshwater bodies only have minimum
amounts of salts and have moderate conductivity.

4. Basically, conductivity measurement was important to environment

as;
 Conductivity is used to monitor purification plant.
 Useful to excess pollution data
 Conductivity can be used to decide the extent of intrusion of
seawater into groundwater
 Useful in determining the suitability of water and wastewater for
disposal on land.
 Help indirectly to find inorganic dissolved solids.

WATER AND WASTEWATER ENGINEERING (ECW351)

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

Hardness

1. Based on the hardness parameter in National Water Drinking

Standards for Malaysia, water sample from Sungai Pertama,
Sungai Pinang, and Titi Kerawang waterfall tested pass the
requirement needed for Recommended Raw Water Quality which
all the values are lower than 500 mg/L. For Drinking Water
Standard all the values are lower than 500 mg/L yet so far from the
value. All those the water samples taken from the water bodies are
classified as soft water.

2. Calcium is one of the principal cations involved in water hardness.

Calcium usually found in highest concentrations in natural water.
The presence of calcium in water results from deposits of limestone
and gypsum. From the results for Titi Kerawang waterfall, there are
absent in calcium in the water which indicates the water was really
soft water. As calcium was absent, this water body was really
effective for cleaning without leaving yellowish effect but corrosive.
But the water can’t be used as potable water as potable water
needs to be a hard water.

3. The hardness of water is a measure of a total concentration of the

calcium and magnesium ions expresses as calcium carbonate.
Absolutely, soft waters are corrosive and dissolve the metals. More
cases of cardiac disease came from soft water area.

4. The hardness of water also can affect our skin, especially for the
face skin. Hard water contain dissolved mineral (Ca and Mg) which
make it harder for water to form a solution with soap or cleanser
and it leaves behind a scummy residue. While soft water makes it
easier to form a sudsy lather and it makes it easier to rinse the
soap away which means the soap works more efficiently.

5. The hardness of a good quality water should not exceed 300 mg/L
measured as calcium carbonate equivalent. Water softer than
range 30 – 75 mg/L may be corrosive to piping depending on pH,
alkalinity and dissolved oxygen. Plus, soft waters are corrosive and
dissolve the metals.

6. The calcium salts are useful for the growth of bones in the human
being. So, it is good to drink water with the high amount of calcium

WATER AND WASTEWATER ENGINEERING (ECW351)

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

according to standard for body development and health.

7. In environmental significance term of hardness;

 Determination of hardness in water serve as a basic control of
softening processes,
 Soft water are corrosive and dissolve the metals.
 Hard water contain high concentration of Calcium and
Magnesium which interfere with the use of the water for many
functions.
 Hard water is useful to growth of children due to presence of
calcium.
 Hard water cause excessive consumption of soap used for
cleaning purpose.
 Scale form due to carbonate hardness act as insulations and
cause massive loss of fuel in boiler.

8. In this experiment, some indicators are used. There are;

 Erichrome Black T (EBT) solution
When this indicator added to the water sample containing Ca
and Mg ion, the colour of the solution will turns to purple.

 Murexide Indicator
This indicator will turn colourless water sample into pink colour.
This colour changes due to the Ca content present in water
sample

WATER AND WASTEWATER ENGINEERING (ECW351)

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

SAMPLING METHOD

Eventually, preservation of a sample was not practical. Because

biological activity will continue after a sample has been taken. But
changes may occur as we collect the sample too early. Sungai Pinang
sample was collected of 6 days earlier before the test while Sungai
Pertama and Titi Kerawang waterfall sample were collected 5 days
before the test. The content may have slightly changed due to
decomposition in it. The oxygen amount in the water sample can
reduce drastically. The best sample collection is 2 hours before the
test, or keep the sample at 4 ºC temperature. Sample bottle should not
be open before the test to avoid errors.

PRECAUTONS

1. While doing pH and Conductivity test, the electrodes need to be

rinse cleanly by using distilled water before use or to use with other
water sample. This to avoid any error in reading as the electrode
was sensitive.

2. The vial use to located water sample in Turbidity test need to be

dry and free from water particle. The vial need to be clean with the
distilled water before use with another water sample. The vial need
to be wipe before insert into the apparatus as the turbidity meter
was sensitive and lead to apparatus performance.

3. For Total Hardness test, while handling ammonia solution proper

precaution and handling are necessary to prevent form inhalation.
This is because it can cause irritation if inhaled. We must not put
our face near to the ammonia while dropping it into the conical flask
filled with sample.

WATER AND WASTEWATER ENGINEERING (ECW351)

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

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

CONCLUSION
the water quality characteristic of sample water (raw) in term of
physical, chemical pollutants based on the Water Quality Index (WQI)
and Interim National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (INWQS)
was achieved. pH, turbidity and conductivity was in the physical
category, and Total Hardness was in the chemical category. All these
properties have been done during this laboratory activities.

The pH value for Sungai Pertama is 6.44, Sungai Pinang is 6.04

while Titi Kerawang waterfall is 4.61. Sungai Pertama and Sungai
Pinang pass the requirement for the Raw Water Quality Standard.

The Turbidity value for Sungai Pertama is 16.10 NTU, Sungai

Pinang is 5.77 NTU and Titi Kerawang waterfall is 4.12 NTU. All of
the water bodies pass the requirement for the Raw Water Quality
Standard but none of them qualified for Drinking Water Quality
Standard.

The Conductivity for Sungai Pertama is 416 µs/cm, Sungai Pinang

is µs/cm and Titi Kerawang waterfall is µs/cm. Based on the river
classification, all this three raw water bodies was classify in Class I
because the amount of conductivity was less than 1000 µs/cm.

While for Hardness, total hardness for Sungai Pertama is 50 mg/L,

Sungai Pinang 66 mg/L and Titi Kerawang waterfall is 20 mg/L.
Whereas for calcium hardness, Sungai Pertama is 14 mg/L, Sungai
Pinang is 30 mg/L and 0 mg/L for Titi Kerawang waterfall. All water
sample taken from these three water bodies was categorised as soft
water.

Overall, from the problem statement which we decide to investigate

three potential sources of water which are Sungai Pertama, Sungai
Pinang and Titi Kerawang waterfall that can be used as water supply
for a new treatment plant was achieved.

WATER AND WASTEWATER ENGINEERING (ECW351)

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

WATER AND WASTEWATER ENGINEERING (ECW351)