The chemical, heavy metal and microbial quality of well water in an urbanised village in the Klang Valley
- Author:
Stephen Ambu
;
Stacey Foong Yee Yong
;
Yvonne Ai Lian Lim
;
Mak Joon Wah
;
Donald Koh Fook Chen, Soo Shen Ooi, Sau Peng Lee, Ti Myen Tan
;
Mei Yen Goh
;
Danapridha Nyanachendram
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
well water;
microbial;
heavy metal;
chemical;
urbanised village;
public health
- From:International e-Journal of Science, Medicine and Education
2014;8(3):28-44
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:
The public health issue of consuming
groundwater is a major concern because people often
extract groundwater directly from the aquifers either
through wells or boreholes without treating it with
any form of filtration system or chlorine disinfection.
Based on the Malaysian National Drinking Water
guidelines the current study was designed to provide a
better understanding on the variable factors that are
influencing the quality of well-water in an urbanised
village in Malaysia. Well water quality assessment
of heavy metals, chemicals, microbial and physical
parameters were carried out for Sungai Buloh Village
in the Klang Valley to ensure it was safe for human
consumption.
Materials and Methods:
Water samples were collected
from wells at four sites (Sites A,B,C,D), a river and a
tap inside a house in Sungai Buloh village. Soil was
sampled from the riverbed and area surrounding the
wells. Samples were collected every two months over
a one year duration from all sites. The water samples
were processed and examined for viruses, coliforms and
protozoa as well as for heavy metal contaminants.
Results:
The turbidity and colour ranged in the average of 0.57-0.13 Nephelometric Turbidity (NTU) and 4.16-
5.00 Total Conjunctive Use (TCU) respectively for all
sites except Site C. At Site C the turbidity level was
2.56 ± 1.38 NTU. The well-water was polluted with
coliforms (1.2 to 2.4 x 10
3
CFU/100 ml) in all sites,
E. coli
(0.12 - 4 x 10
2
CFU/100 ml CFU/ 100 ml) and
Cryptosporidium
oocysts (0.4 cysts/100 ml). All the
heavy metals and chemical parameters were within the
Malaysian Guidelines’ limits except manganese. The
average pH ranged from 5.44 - 6.62 and the temperature
was 28 ºC.
Conclusion:
In summary, the well water at Sungai
Buloh is considered unsafe for consumption due to
pollution. Therefore the major thrust will be to provide
better quality of drinking water to the residents of the village.
