TOPIC 2

WATER
Types of Water

Surface water (River, lakes, stream, wetland)

 Atmospheric water Ocean, Inland sea, coastal zones and estuaries

 Groundwater  Glaciers, icebergs and ground

 Soil water ice
WATER CYCLE
Water Resources Engineering

 Supplying water for human use

 Removing water when humans are finished
using it
 Developing methods of avoiding damage
from excess water (floods)
 Watershed
Groundwater
recharge Area

River
basin

Tributaries
Water table
DRINKING WATER
TREATMENT
Aeration :
To remove dissolved gas such as
hydrogen sulfide
To precipitate Fe and Mn by oxidation
Pre-sedimentation:
To precipitate suspended matters through
force of gravity. Depends on detention
time (theoretical amount of time water
remains in tank)
Operate by low flow of water from inlet to
outlet
Coagulation and flocculation :
To remove suspended matters that cannot
be precipitated by gravity alone
Use of coagulant (eg : alum) and
flocculation (slowly mixing and stirring)
Sedimentation:
Filter bed To precipitate coagulated matters through
force of gravity.
Filtration:
Jar Test to determine Removal of suspended particles by
coagulant dosage, pH passing it through layers of porous
and mixing and granular materials. Maintenance of
stirring rate filtration bed by using by backwashing
 FLOOD CONTROL AND BARRIERS

Levees / embankment

FLOOD CONTROL
Reforestation, dams, levee, weir,
Weirs floodway and reservoirs
 FLOOD CONTROL AND BARRIERS

The Thames Barrier, England

Eastern Scheldt Storm Surge Barrier, The Hagestein Weir , Netherlands

Netherlands

Watergates , Japan
Waste Management (Control &
Treatment)
INDIVIDUAL SEPTIC TANK (IST)

Solids from the incoming sewage settle forming a "sludge", while greases and oils float to the surface
forming a "scum" layer.

The liquid in between the scum and sludge layers then either pass to a second compartment where
similar settling process occurs or discharged into a drain or allowed to percolate into the soil

IST are usually designed for a 24-hour retention time. The sludge in the tank undergoes anaerobic
digestion and is converted into more stable organic compounds and gases such as carbon dioxide
(CO2), methane (CH4) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Sludge can be deposited in the tank for up
two years after which it must be de-sludged to keep the tank operating satisfactory.
 Microorganism utilize the
organic matter
 Oxygen needed for the
microbes to grow
 Fermentation. Without oxygen
 Similar to human eating and
digesting food
 Use to degrade complex
waste
 Microbes that can live in
extreme condition will do the
fermentation
IMHOFF TANK
Oxidation pond
1. There are normally at least two ponds
constructed.
2. Sewage enters a large pond after passing
through a settling and screening chamber
3. Oxygen is supplied from natural surface
aeration, by algal photosynthesis or assisted.
Bacteria present in the wastewater use the
oxygen to feed on organic material, breaking
it down into nutrients and carbon dioxide.
These are in turn used by the algae. Other
microbes in the pond such as protozoa
remove additional organic and nutrients to
polish the effluent.
4. After retention for several days, the flow is
often passed into a second pond for further
treatment polishing the effluent and reduces
the pathogens present in sewage before it is
discharged into a drain.
5. BactOxidation ponds need to be de-sludged
periodically in order to work effectively.
 Carbon Footprint

What is ….
Go to website 
and calculate your
individual carbon
footprint
http://web.stanford.edu/group/inquiry2insight/cgi-bin/i2sea-r3b/
i2s.php?page=fpcalc

14
Conventional
Sewage and Waste Water
Treatment Process
SCREEN FOR COURSE
MATERIAL

VORTEX GRIT
REMOVAL
SEDIMENTATION or SETTLING
TANK

• Skimmer
• Coagulation and
flocculation for suspended
solids
• Settling sludge
 Coagulation and Flocculation
 Waste water contains particulates and this
particles can be classified depending on size
 Coagulation

 A colloid also known as non-settleable

solids is a solution that has particles
ranging between 1 nanometer to 1
micrometers in diameter. They do not
dissolve in water although they are
electrically charged. The particles are so
small that they will not settle out of the
water and remain evenly distributed
throughout the solution

 The fine particulates in water normally

have a negative (-) charge. These
particles all have the same charge, they
repel each other, keeping each other
from settling.
 Coagulation
 Adding a coagulant which is normally positively charge, neutralize the negative
charges. As the particles becomes neutral, van der Waal's forces started
acting on it and naturally forcing the particle to come together.
 Flocculation
 Flocculation defined as the uses gentle
stirring (mechanical or air) to bring the fine
particles formed by coagulation into contact
with each other so they will form larger
clumps (groups) called FLOC.

 Another method of flocculating is to by using

organic polymer that form bridge between the
coagulated particles

 FLOC can be sedimented or floated

 Coagulation and Flocculation

Over the years a number of different substances have been used as coagulants. The
most common ones are:

1.Alum(Al2(SO4)3.18H2O).
2.Ferrous Sulfate(FeSO4.7H2O).
3.Lime Ca(OH)2.
4.Ferric Chloride (FeCl3)
5.Ferric Sulfate (Fe2(SO4)3). 

Recently, bio-coagulant such as chitosan, Moringa Oleifera seeds has becoming popular
as it

1) Reduced expenditure on processing of costly chemicals.

2) Reduced dependency on chemical coagulants.
3) Process is very economical for developing countries.
4) The bio-coagulants are eco-friendly.
5) Development of a new industry of bio-coagulant production.
SEDIMENTATION or SETTLING TANK

 In general settling tank is a tank for holding liquid until

particles suspended in been settle.

 A settling tank is a very effective method of allowing the

larger, heavier chips to settle out through gravity.

 A settling tank removes settle able and floatable solids

and reduces treatment problems
 to collect and remove as much of the settleable solids
and floating material as possible in order to reduce the
biological load on subsequent treatment units.

 can remove as much as 50 to 60 percent of the

suspended solids and 25-40 percent of the BOD in the
waste stream.
SEDIMENTATION or SETTLING TANK
 A settling tank requires regular maintenance.
 Once the tank becomes filled with solids it is more difficult to
empty than if serviced on a regular basis.
 The tank should be pumped when it is about half full of solids.
 The wastes from the tank should be spread on suitable land
for incorporation into the soil.
 Adequate tank size is necessary for effective separation of
solids
 For daily volumes of waste water of approximately 500
gallons or less, immediate land treatment should be used.
 For larger volumes, a lagoon may be used to store the
waste water.
Aeration tank

Common biological treatment of wastewater using natural processes that

require oxygen and removal – by feeding bacteria into water
Aeration tank
Removes iron, manganese, zinc and other metals
 through oxidation and precipitation.
 Metals are oxidized and drop out of suspension because they
become heavier.
Removes sulfur and other poisonous gases (methane,
ammonia, nitrogen)
 by phase distribution.
 SO2 and other gasses are more soluble in air than water so are
transferred to the rising air bubbles and then to the atmosphere
via a tank vent.
Removes hydrogen sulfide and anaerobic bacteria which
produces methane.
Leaves all beneficial minerals intact
 removes only metals, phosphates and gasses.
2nd Clarifier
 SEDIMENTATION
 Sedimentation is the
separation of suspended
solids particles from a liquid
by settling.
 Sedimentation can be
divided into two operational
processes, clarification
and thickening.
 The objective of the thickener
is to increase the suspended
solids concentration;
 whereas the objective of the
clarifier is to produce a clear
effluent.
CHLORINATION
 Chlorination is a process of adding chlorine into water to keep it
from spreading disease.

 Even though it has greatly reduced the prevalence of waterborne

disease as it is effective against almost all bacteria, chlorine reacts
with naturally occurring organic compounds found in water and
produce dangerous by-products such as trihalomethanes (THMs),
which include chloroform (CHCl3)

 Chlorine demand is the amount of chlorine required to kill

bacteria, oxidize iron or other elements in the water, and oxidize
any organic matter that may be present.

 Free available chlorine residual is the amount of chlorine

remaining in the water after the chlorine demand has been meet.

 Contact time is the amount of time that the chlorine is present in

the water. The combination of chlorine residual and contact time
determines the effectiveness of the chlorination treatment
NUTRIENT REMOVAL
 Excess nutrient (N &
P) from waste water
stimulates algae and
plant growth
 Creates dissolved
oxygen issues
leading to
eutrophication
NUTRIENT REMOVAL
Chemical Removal Biological Removal

 A soluble metal (M) is

added which combines
 By using bacteria,
with phosphate or nitrate fungi or algae to
to form an insoluble
compound (precipitate) accumulate and
digest the excess
 Chemical Options
nutrients
Aluminum– Alum, Aluminate,
PACl  Iron– Ferric
Chloride, Ferric Sulfate,
Ferrous Sulfate/Chloride ,
Calcium--Lime
Sources and Effects of Water
Pollution
What is Water Pollution?
 occurs when a body of water is adversely affected
due to the addition of large amounts of materials to the
water

 “ the loss of any of the actual or potential beneficial

uses of water caused by any change in its composition due
to human activity”
Types of water pollution
 Toxic substance  chemical pollutant that is not a
naturally occurring substance in aquatic ecosystems e.g herbicides,
pesticides, ind compound

 Organic substance  occurs when an excess of organic

matter, such as manure or sewage, enters the water.

 Thermal pollution  occur when water is used as a

coolant near a power or industrial plant and then is returned to the
aquatic environment at a higher temperature than it was originally.

 Ecological pollution  chemical pollution,

organic pollution or thermal pollution are caused by nature
Point Sources
 Causes
Illegal release
Unplanned changes in
manufacturing
Unavoidable accurance

Factories, sewerage
system, power plants,
mines, oil wells.

Contaminants that enter

waterway from a single,
identifiable source
Non-point Sources
 Causes
used oil, antifreeze,
grease and metals on
streets and driveways
emit nitrogen and other
contaminants, which flow
to surface water
car washing detergents
contain phosphorus and
other chemicals
Non-point sources
 Causes
Fertilizers
weed killer
Insecticides and fungicides
poorly maintained septic
systems & common
household cleaners
improper disposal of paint,
oil and other chemicals
Non-point sources
 Causes
Runoff from barnyards,
feedlots and cropland
carries away manure,
fertilizers, ammonia,
pesticides, livestock
waste, oil
toxins from farm
equipment, soil and
sediment
Non-point sources
 Causes
Runoff water from buildings,
streets and sidewalks carries
many pollutants
industries do not dispose of
waste properly and dump
pollutants directly into waterways
cities are built, the natural
watershed is changed
Wetlands are often filled in with
dirt and concrete and natural
streams are redirected by man-
made channels
(This takes away nature's ability
to filter out contaminants before
they end up in river)
Non-point sources
 Causes
Construction and
clearing land often
put sediment in rivers
and bodies of water.
Oil, debris, paint and
other harmful
chemicals also can
runoff with water and
sediment from
construction sites
Non-point sources
 Causes
Toxins come from
vehicles, machinery,
cleaning products,
garbage, septic
systems, toxic waste
and several other
pollutants used by
businesses
Effects of water pollution
1) Spreads Disease
2) Affects Vital Body Organs
3) Causes Toxic Buildup in the Food Chain
4) Kills Aquatic Life
5) Causes Flooding
6) Causes Algal Bloom
7) Deformities of fish, birds, and other wildlife
8) Differences in color & taste  beach closing
9) Raised and new added costs to agriculture and
industry for clean-ups
Assessment and Monitoring Water
Pollution
Water
Type of water commonly monitored in
Malaysia:

Surface / Inland water (River, lakes,

stream, wetland)
Marine water
Groundwater
Waste water
Assessment and Monitoring
Physical properties
 Temperature

 Colour

 Odour

 Turbidity

 Total dissolved solids

 Total suspended solids

 Oil & grease

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 TDS comprise inorganic salts and
some organic matter that are
dissolved in water

Total Suspended Solids (TSS)

 Includes varieties of materials organic
and inorganic that is suspended in
water
Oil & Grease in Water

Oil & Grease can cause surface films and

shoreline deposits. It interfere with aerobic and
anaerobic biological processes
Assessment and Monitoring
Chemical properties

 pH and alkalinity,  Phosphates,

 Dissolved oxygen  Sulphates,
 Biological oxygen demand (BOD),  Nitrates,
 Chemical oxygen demand (COD),  Phenol,
 Salinity,  PCB (polychlorinated
 Total and ammoniacal nitrogen, biphenyl)
 Conductivity,
 Pesticides
 Carbonates,
 and heavy metals
 Magnesium, Calcium and Total
hardness,
pH Value
 The level of water acidity

H2O

H2CO3
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
 DO is the amount of oxygen dissolved
in water.
 DO is essential for aquatic life.
 High DO indicate better water quality
 DO also affected by temperature
salinity and pressure changes
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
The amount of dissolved oxygen needed
by aerobic biological organisms to break
down organic material present in a given
water sample at certain temperature over
a specific time period
BOD5 -The difference between Initial and final reading is 5 days
(the time it takes for water to reach the sea)

BOD3 -The difference between Initial and final reading is 3 days

(the time it takes for water to reach the sea)
Sewage and Waste Water Treatment Process

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
 Is the oxygen required to oxidize soluble
and particulate organic matter in water.
 A fixed volume of oxidant(potassium
dichromate) is added to the water sample.
 The organic matter present in the water sample
is oxidized by the oxidant when the sample is
heated
organic matter + oxidant ⇒ CO2 + H2O
 The excess oxidant will be measured to
determine the amount of oxidant that has been
used, base on mole to mole, the amount
organic matter is calculated.
Total Nitrogen in Water
Total Nitrogen is the sum of ammonia, organic nitrogen,
reduced nitrogen, nitrate and nitrite in water. Ammoniacal
Nitrogen is NH3 in water in the form of NH3 and NH4

Phosphorus in Water
Phosphorus is essential for plant growth but similar with nitrogen, if escape to nature will cause
Eutrophication
Heavy metals
Metals with high density, high molecular weight and high
atomic number
Assessment and Monitoring

Biological properties of water

 Fecal coliform,

 Total coliform

 E.coli
Coliform
Rod shape bacteria, present in large
numbers in the feces of warm blooded
animals
is used to indicate that
other pathogenic organisms of fecal
origin may be present

E.coli
 a rod-shaped member of the coliform
group
their presence is confirmation of fecal
contamination
Awareness of regulation for
environmental protection
Awareness of regulation for
environmental protection

Malaysia’s Regulations for Water

Quality under Environment Act 1974
• Environmental Quality (Sewage) Regulations 2009 - P.U.(A)
432/2009 
• Environmental Quality (Industrial Effluent) Regulations 2009 -
P.U.(A) 434/2009
• Environmental Quality (Prescribed Premises) (Crude Palm Oil)
(Amendment) Regulations 1982 - P.U.(A) 183/82
• Environmental Quality (Prescribed Premises) (Raw Natural
Rubber) (Amendment) Regulations 1980 - P.U.(A) 74/80
• Environmental Quality (Delegation Of Powers On Marine
Pollution Control) Order 1994 - P.U.(A) 537/94
• Interim National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia 
Current Issues on Industrial Waste
and Major Polluters in Malaysia
Current Issues on Industrial Waste and Major
Polluters in Malaysia

Rubbish Clogging up
Malaysian Rivers

Contract workers clearing the trash trapped by the log

boom situated downstream of Sungai Batu in
Selangor, one of the tributaries of Sungai Klang
Illegal Logging  Landslides