DISCUSSION

For this experiment, the water sample from Sungai Dua was taken to determine the
class of the river, and it was tested to evaluate the water sample based on the 6 parameter of
Water Quality Index (WQI) and to determine the Volatile Suspended Solid (VSS).

The first parameter of WQI is pH. pH is one of the most important parameter of water
quality. It is defined as the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration. pH of water
is indicating the strength of acidic or alkaline of a water. pH of less than 7 indicates acidity
and pH greater than7 indicates alkaline solution. In this experiment, the average reading of
pH values of Sungai Dua is at 6.729. By referring to water quality parameter, the value 6.729
for the pH is considered safe for drinking water as the safe ranges of pH for drinking water
are from 6.5 to 8.5 for domestic use and living organisms need. As the pH values rise, the
amount of oxygen in water increase. But, the effectiveness of the chlorine disinfection will be
decreases.

Ammoniacal Nitrogen is a component of nitrogen, which is adopted as an indicator to

determine pollution by sewage. It is a natural product of decay of nitrogen compounds and
one of the many contaminants in water supplies. In this experiment, the value of ammonicial
nitrogen of Sungai Dua is at 0.503 mg/L. For this value, by referring to National Water
Quality Standards for Malaysia, it’s been classified in Class III as it extensive treatment
required. Excessive ammoniacal nitrogen in waterways can cause taste and odor problems,
apart from introducing a psychological problem to consumers.

Chemical oxygen demand (COD) is a measurement of the oxygen required to oxidixe

soluble and particulate organic matter I water. COD can be measured in real-time with our
COD analyzers to improve waswater process control and plant efficiency. In this experiment,
the average values of COD of Sungai Dua is at 24.1 mg/L. By referring to National Water
Quality Standards for Malaysia, the COD values of Sungai Dua is classified to Class II. For
the class II of National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia, it shows that if this water
sample used as water supply, it need to follow a conventional treatment first. COD in water
cannot be to high as the amount of oxidizable organic material in the sample, which reduce
dissolved oxygen levels. A reduction in disoolved oxygen can lead to anaerobic conditions,
which is deleterious to higher aquatic life forms.
 Dissolved Oxygen (DO) refer to the level of free, non-compound oxygen present in
water or other liquids. It is an important parameter in assessing water quality because of its
influence on the organisms living within a body of water. In the study of lakes, dissolved
oxygen is an essential factor second only to water itself. A dissolved oxygen level that is too
high or too low can harm aquatic and affect water quality. In this experiment, dissolved
oxygen is

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) determination is an empirical test in which

standardized laboratory procedures are used to determine the relative oxygen requirements of
wastewaters, effluents, and polluted waters. The test has its widest application in measuring
waste loadings to treatment plants and in evaluating the BOD-removal efficiency of such
treatment systems. The BOD5 value that get from this experiment is at 6 mg/L. BOD values
been calculated from the different of dissolve oxygen of diluted sample immediately after
preparation and the value of dissolved oxygen of diluted samples after 5 days’ incubation
divided by the decimal volumetric fraction of sample used. Based from National Water
Quality Standards for Malaysia, the BOD value for Sungai Dua is classified at Class I as this
water is conservation of natural environment and thus no treatment necessary for water
supply.

Total suspended solid (TSS) is a measurement of the total solids in a water or

wastewater sample that are retained by filtration. In this experiment, the total suspended solid
that contain in Sungai Dua is at 9.32 mg/L. At the value of 9.32 mg/L, the water of Sungai
Dua classified in Class I by referring to National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia. TSS
is an important water quality parameter measure for wastewater treatment operations and
environmental health. If TSS is not removed properly through treatment, high concentrations
can lower the water quality in the receiving environment. The suspended solids absorb light,
causing increased water temperature and decreased oxygen which creates an unfavourable
environment for aquatic life.

VSS
 Last but not least, some precautions or recommendations can be made to ensure the
experiment can run smoothly, and also, we could get the accurate value of the result. First, for
taking the pH value, the pH probe need to be fully rinse by distilled water thus that will affect
the reading. For taking the pH value, need to wait until the pH meter truly find the value
before take the reading. While conducting COD measurement, always remember to clean the
vials before measure the COD.

https://realtechwater.com/parameters/tss/

https://realtechwater.com/parameters/chemical-oxygen-demand/

https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/water-quality-parameters

https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/water-quality-parameters

https://www.iwk.com.my/do-you-know/ammonia