Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

Learning Outcomes

Able to explain the types, source of water pollution.

Able to discuss the water quality parameter.

Able to discuss the effect of water pollution (human health,

ecological cycle & industry).

Able to explain Water quality requirements (In-stream Standards,

Portable Standards, Wastewater Effluent Standards)

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 OUTLINE
4.1 Introduction to water pollution

4.2 Types and source of water pollution

4.3 Water quality parameter

4.4 Effect of water pollution (human health, ecological cycle

& industry)
4.5 Water quality requirements (In-stream Standards,
Portable Standards, Wastewater Effluent Standards)

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.1 INTRODUCTION

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (rivers, lakes, oceans, aquifer and
groundwater) usually as a result of human activities. Water pollution results when
contaminants are introduced into the natural environment.

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.1 INTRODUCTION
• Water pollution, the release of substances into subsurface groundwater or
into lakes, streams, rivers, estuaries, and oceans to the point where the
substances interfere with beneficial use of the water or with the natural
functioning of ecosystems. In addition to the release of substances, such
as chemicals or microorganisms, water pollution may also include the
release of energy, in the form of radioactivity or heat, into bodies of water.

• The substances or pollutants include fertilizers and pesticides from

agricultural runoff; sewage and food processing waste; lead, mercury, and
other heavy metals; chemical wastes from industrial discharges; and
chemical contamination from hazardous waste sites.
HELP!!

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.2 Types and source of water pollution
TYPES OF WATER POLLUTION
Nutrients Pollution When too many nutrients (for example, fertilizers), mainly phosphorus and nitrogen, are added to the water, causing
excessive growth of algae. When the algae die, the levels of oxygen decrease, and aquatic animals die.

Surface Water When harmful substances invade water bodies such as oceans, rivers, seas, and lakes.
Pollution

Oxygen Depletion When too much biodegradable materials promote microorganism growth, and they use almost all oxygen in the water.
All aerobic microorganisms die because of the lack of oxygen, and anaerobic organisms start producing harmful toxins
such as sulfides and ammonia.
Groundwater When humans use chemicals, pesticides and other pollutants on soils, they are washed deep into the ground by
Pollution rainwater. With time, groundwater becomes completely contaminated.

Sewage Pollution When untreated wastewater (soaps, detergents, toilet paper, cooking oil, human waste) from urban regions is
discharged into a body of water such as a river, lake, stream, ocean or bay.

Chemical Water When the chemicals used by farmers and industrials to control pests, weeds, and insects enter water bodies.
Pollution

Suspended Matter Many chemicals, biodegradable matter and other pollutants contain molecules that are not soluble in water. These
Pollution molecules, called particulate matter, when released in water bodies such as rivers or lakes, sooner or later settle down
on the river bed.
Oil Spillage When major offshore oil and gas drilling-related accidents result in the release of crude oil, and refined petroleum in
large marine areas. Oils spills have a brutal impact on fauna, flora, and human beings.

Microbiological Water-borne bacteria and viruses are known to cause severe and sometimes epidemic outbreaks of diseases such as
Pollution typhoid, cholera etc. These are usually caused by naturally occurring microorganisms that end up polluting the water
and infecting the marine life as well as humans who consume seafood or drink the contaminated water.
Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering
4.2 Types and source of water pollution
SOURCE OF WATER POLLUTION

POINT SOURCE
Point sources release pollutants from NON-POINT SOURCE
discrete conveyances, such as a discharge
Nonpoint source pollution is a combination
pipe, and are regulated by federal and
of pollutants from a large area rather than
state agencies. The main point source
from specific identifiable sources such as
dischargers are factories and sewage
discharge pipes.
treatment plants, which release treated
wastewater.

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

4.2 Types and source of water pollution

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.3 Water quality parameter

PHYSICAL PARAMETER

Total suspended
Color Turbidity Taste and odor Temperature
solid

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

4.3 Water quality parameter
Color

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

4.3 Water quality parameter
Turbidity

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

4.3 Water quality parameter
Taste & Odor

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

4.3 Water quality parameter
Temperature

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

4.3 Water quality parameter
Total Suspended Solid

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

4.3 Water quality parameter
Total Suspended Solid

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.3 Water quality parameter

CHEMICAL PARAMETER

Biochemical Chemical
Dissolved Ammonia,
oxygen demand oxygen demand pH Hardness
oxygen (DO Nitrate & Nitrite
(BOD) (COD)

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.3 Water quality parameter
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

The quantity of oxygen utilized by a mixed population of micro-organisms to

biologically degrade the organic matter in the wastewater under aerobic condition. It
is used as a measure of organic pollution as a basis for estimating the oxygen needed
for biological processes, and as an indicator of process performance.

BOD test: 5-day at 20⁰C

3-day at 30⁰C

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

4.3 Water quality parameter
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

4.3 Water quality parameter
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

4.3 Water quality parameter
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

4.3 Water quality parameter
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
To calculate Ultimate BOD

To calculate BOD rate

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

4.3 Water quality parameter
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.3 Water quality parameter
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

• Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is a measure of the capacity of water to

consume oxygen during the decomposition of organic matter and the
oxidation of inorganic chemicals such as Ammonia and nitrite.
• Chemical Oxygen Demand is related to biochemical oxygen demand
(BOD), another standard test for assaying the oxygen-demanding strength
of waste waters. However, Biochemical Oxygen Demand only measures
the amount of oxygen consumed by microbial oxidation and is most
relevant to waters rich in organic matter.
• Unit SI for COD = mg/L

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.3 Water quality parameter
Difference Between BOD and COD
BOD
Definition BOD is the amount of oxygen consumed
by bacteria while decomposing organic
matter under aerobic conditions.
Decomposition BOD is a biological oxidation process.
Test Procedure BOD is determined by incubating a
sealed water under specific
temperature sample for five days and
measuring the loss of oxygen from the
beginning of the test.
Time Taken for Determination Five days are taken for the
determination of the BOD.
Values of Measurement BOD value is lower than the COD value.
The main difference between BOD and COD is that BOD is the amount of oxygen which is consumed by bacteria
while decomposing organic matter under aerobic conditions whereas COD is the amount of oxygen required for the
chemical oxidation of total organic matter in water.
Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering
COD
COD is the amount of oxygen required
for the oxidation of total organic matter
in water.
COD is a chemical oxidation process.
COD is determined by incubating a
closed water sample with a strong
oxidant like potassium dichromate
(K2Cr2O7) in combination with boiling
sulfuric acid (H2SO4) under specific
temperature for a specified period of
time.
COD measurement can be taken from
few days.
COD value is always greater than the
BOD value. Therefore, the more organic
material can be oxidized by COD.
 4.3 Water quality parameter
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

• Dissolved oxygen (DO) is a measure of how much

oxygen is dissolved in the water - the amount of
oxygen available to living aquatic organisms. The
amount of dissolved oxygen in a stream or lake
can tell us a lot about its water quality.
• Dissolved oxygen enters water through the air or
as a plant byproduct. From the air, oxygen can
slowly diffuse across the water’s surface from the
surrounding atmosphere, or be mixed in quickly
through aeration, whether natural or man-made
7. The aeration of water can be caused by wind
(creating waves), rapids, waterfalls, ground water
discharge or other forms of running water. Man-
made causes of aeration vary from an aquarium
air pump to a hand-turned waterwheel to a large
dam.
• Dissolved oxygen is also produced as a waste
product of photosynthesis from phytoplankton,
algae, seaweed and other aquatic plants.
• Unit SI for DO = mg/L
Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering
 4.3 Water quality parameter
pH

• pH stands for “potential of hydrogen,” referring to the amount of hydrogen

found in a substance or water.
• pH is measured on a scale that runs from 0 to 14. Seven is neutral,
meaning there is a balance between acid and alkalinity. A measurement
below 7 means acid is present and a measurement above 7 is basic (or
alkaline).

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.3 Water quality parameter
Hardness

• Hardness is most commonly expressed as milligrams of calcium carbonate

equivalent per litre.
• Hard water is usually defined as water, which contains a high
concentration of calcium and magnesium ions.
• Water hardness is the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the
water.
• Hardness is most commonly expressed as milligrams of calcium carbonate
equivalent per litre. Water containing calcium carbonate at concentrations
below 60 mg/l is generally considered as soft; 60–120 mg/l, moderately
hard; 120–180 mg/l, hard; and more than 180 mg/l, very hard (McGowan,
2000).

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.3 Water quality parameter
Ammonia, Nitrate & Nitrite

• All aquatic organisms excrete wastes and aquatic plants and organisms eventually die. These activities create
ammonia. Some bacteria in the water change this ammonia to produce nitrite which is then converted by
other bacteria to nitrate. Nitrates (NO3-) are an oxidized form of nitrogen and are formed by combining oxygen
and nitrogen.
• Nitrates also come from the earth. Soil contains organic matter, which contains nitrogen compounds. Just like
the ammonia in water, these nitrogen compounds in the soil are converted by bacteria into nitrates.
• Although nitrates occur naturally in soil and water, an excess levels of nitrates can be considered to be a
contaminant of ground and surface waters. Most sources of excess nitrates come from human activity. The
source of excess nitrates can usually be traced to agricultural activities, human wastes, or industrial pollution.
• It has the chemical formula NH4NO3, simplified to N2H4O3.

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.3 Water quality parameter

BIOLOGICAL PARAMETER

Bacteriological aspects Viral aspects of water Parasitological aspects

of water pollution
Algae
pollution of water pollution

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.3 Water quality parameter
Indicator organisms are
Bacteriological aspects of water pollution microorganisms whose presence in
water indicates probable presence of
pathogens (disease-causing
• Some pathogenic bacteria found in water includes: organisms).

Yersinia
Salmonella Shigella Vibrio Cholera
Enterocolitica

• These bacteria are only present in drinking water if source of water is contaminated with
faeces.
• Some indicator organism are faecal coliform ( E. coli), faecal Streptococci (Enterococcus),
Clostridium perfringens.
• Escherichia coli (abbreviated as E. coli) are bacteria found in the environment, foods,
and intestines of people and animals. E. coli are a large and diverse group of bacteria.
Although most strains of E. coli are harmless.
• Enterococci are part of the normal intestinal flora of humans and animals.
• Clostridium Perfringens (C. perfringens) is a spore-forming gram-positive bacterium that
is found in many environmental sources as well as in the intestines of humans and
animals. C. perfringens is commonly found on raw meat and poultry.
Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering
 4.3 Water quality parameter
Viral aspects of water pollution

Some intestinal pathogenic viruses which are transmitted through contaminated

water are- Rotavirus, Poliovirus, Hepatitis A and E, etc.

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.3 Water quality parameter
Parasitological aspects of water pollution

• Drinking water should be free from disease causing parasites.

• Many species of protozoa and helminthes that causes water borne disease
contaminates water through stool of infected patients.
• Some pathogenic parasites are- Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia, Balantidium coli,
etc.

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.3 Water quality parameter
Algae

• Growth of algae in water affects the quality of water by various ways.

• Algae gives characteristic color, odor and taste to water. Also algae prevent
penetration of light to bottom of water system affecting photosynthetic
organisms.
• Various algae produces toxic compounds. For examples, Microcystis produces
hepatotoxin, Similarly Anaebaena and Nostoc produces neurotoxin. Therefore,
drinking water should be free from algae.

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.4 Effect of water pollution (human
health, ecological cycle & industry)
Human Health

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.4 Effect of water pollution (human
health, ecological cycle & industry)
Hamburger disease is an infection caused by E. coli bacteria,
which are naturally present in the digestive tracts of both
humans and animals. Certain strains of this bacteria can lead
to an intestinal infection causing severe vomiting and
Human Health

diarrhea.

Typhoid fever, also known simply as typhoid, is a bacterial

infection due to a specific type of Salmonella that causes
symptoms. Symptoms may vary from mild to severe, and
usually begin 6 to 30 days after exposure. Often there is a
gradual onset of a high fever over several days.

Cholera is an infectious disease that causes severe watery

diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and even death if
untreated. It is caused by eating food or drinking water
contaminated with a bacterium called Vibrio cholera.

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.4 Effect of water pollution (human
health, ecological cycle & industry)
Human Health

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.4 Effect of water pollution (human
health, ecological cycle & industry)
• Enteric viruses are a type of virus that infects the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and
animals and are excreted in their feces. One common type of virus that infects humans
through drinking water is rotaviruses. These viruses cause stomach flu (gastroenteritis),
especially in children. In fact, rotaviruses are the main cause of stomach flu in children and
Human Health

“traveler’s diarrhea” in adults.

• Norovirus and Rotavirus are viruses that can be food or waterborne (and can also be spread
person-to-person). Infections are characterized by abrupt onset, gastrointestinal illness with
diarrhea and vomiting. Vomiting predominates in Norovirus infections. Both diseases are
short-lived and while the serious impacts of dehydration in small children is always a concern,
fluid replacement in severe cases is the only treatment available.

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.4 Effect of water pollution (human
health, ecological cycle & industry)
Human Health

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.4 Effect of water pollution (human
health, ecological cycle & industry)
• Giardiasis (Beaver Fever) is caused by a single-celled protozoan
parasite Giardia intestinalis/lamblia. Animals, including beaver, can carry
some species and the disease was named following waterborne outbreaks
Human Health

in which beaver contaminated drinking water. Watery diarrhea, often with

abdominal cramps, can become chronic (going on for weeks to months with
intermittent symptoms). Some children may show Failure-to-
Thrive. Giardiasis is treatable with antimicrobial drugs.
• Amebiasis is not spread in Canada but can cause illness in travelers who
have been exposed to parasite cyst contaminated food or water. Unlike
giardiasis in which diarrhea is watery, amebiasis can present with bloody
diarrhea and cramps. This parasite can also invade through the
gastrointestinal wall resulting in amebic hepatic abscesses with abdominal
pain and high fever. Antimicrobial treatment is always used and if invasive
disease is suspected, urgent treatment warranted.

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

 4.4 Effect of water pollution (human
health, ecological cycle & industry)
• Malaria is one of the top threats to human health and well being, worldwide. It kills
millions globally every year, most being children. Deaths are due to one (of four) species
of Plasmodium falciparum. Transmission occurs when mosquitos (the insect vector of
Human Health

malaria) reproduce in standing fresh water and then bite human hosts injecting the
parasite. This parasite then invades the liver from the blood stream where it multiplies
then reinvades the blood, this time causing serious illness characterized by high
fevers. Preventing mosquito reproduction or preventing humans being bitten (treated
mosquito nets for sleeping) are major strategies being used worldwide. Travellers to
areas where malaria occurs may take prophylactic treatment with antimalarial drugs.
Many strains of the life-threatening species, Plasmodium falciparum, have become drug
resistant.
• Schistosomiasis is another infection with major impacts on the public health. Like
malaria its spread requires a vector (in this case a snail which resides in fresh water).
Once reproduction in the snail host occurs, larvae are excreted into fresh water and
persons coming into the water are infected. The parasites (depending on the species)
migrate in the body causing either urinary tract disease (affects the bladder) or
gastrointestinal disease (chronic intestinal symptoms). Sometimes severe and acute
disease can occur. Treatment is available but prevention is by avoiding fresh water in
areas where this infection occurs.

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

4.5 Water quality requirements (In-stream Standards,
Portable Standards, Wastewater Effluent
Standards)

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

4.5 Water quality requirements (In-stream Standards,
Portable Standards, Wastewater Effluent Standards)

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

4.5 Water quality requirements (In-stream Standards, Portable Standards,
Wastewater Effluent Standards)

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering

Nur Shafieza Azizan, Faculty of Civil Engineering