Water Quality Assessment and Heavy Metal Contamination Awareness
Kishan Gunesegeran1,2*, Mohd Sofiyan Sulaiman2, Kumarason Rasiah1, Nurharniza Abdul Rahman1, Dorcas Precious Pandala1
1 Faculty of Engineering and Quantity Surveying, Inti International University, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
2 Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology and Infomatics, University Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
*Corresponding Author: [email protected] Accepted: 15 April 2022 | Published: 1 May 2022
DOI:https://doi.org/10.55057/ijarti.2022.4.1.19
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Abstract: Water is essential for all forms of life. There is a measure that is used to monitor the quality of the water called water quality. This study will show the awareness of the quality and the health of the water before starting with preliminary studies. The heavy metal awareness will bring about more understanding and ease to the public about the water bodies near their housing area. One of the benefits of the study is to ensure the water in the dams and lakes is clean and clear. The main aim of the study is to raise awareness about water quality and heavy metal pollution in dams and lakes in areas. The questionnaire was collected using an online platform. The survey form consisted of a list of questions specific to water quality and heavy metal pollution in dams and lakes. Using the PEST management analysis (Political, Environmental, Social and Technological) method to analyse and categorize the survey and how the factors affect the way of living. The social aspect of the results sums up the activities, lifestyles, cultural preference, rural-urban movement. Figures in the analysis section show most people go to the lakes and dams around them for walks. The environmental aspect deals with the influence of heavy metals and poor water quality in the lakes and dams. Most people had very limited resources for it and to sum up the topic, major awareness of water quality and heavy metal pollution was needed.
Keywords: Water Quality, Heavy Metals, Water Awareness, PEST (Political, Environmental, Social and Technological), Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)
________________________________________________________________________________
1. Introduction
Water quality referred to as the characteristics of water from the physical, biological and all the water components. Water quality condition show the properties of the water based on the collection point.
Some of the properties of the water are physical, biological, and chemical properties (Kishan Gunesegeran et al 2021). The physical properties of the water quality include temperature and turbidity. Water quality is important as if affects the health of humans, animals, plants, and majority of all living things. It also affects the day-to-day activities of people. Human being who consume water that has a low water quality have chance of having health related matters. Surface water is one in every of the largest stimulated ecosystems on earth, and its alterations have led to large ecological degradation inclusive of a decline in water high-quality and availability, extreme flooding, lack of species, and changes within the distribution and shape of the aquatic biota, thus, making floor water courses now not sustainable in presenting items and services. Local lakes and dams in Negeri
smells and has a green color in it. The research objective is to Survey on water quality and heavy metals contamination awareness at local lakes and dams. The benefits of water to the living things is endless. Water is an essential to living things.It is vital to keep it clean and safe. The study of the water quality in the area is to help keep the standard of clean water. This is also to have clean water for human, plant, and animal life. Monitoring proper water quality required to protect or water sources and our environment from heavy metals and harmful pollutants. One of the benefits of the study is to ensure the water in the Dam is clean and clear. Water quality index is the system used to test the water quality. This is a way to calculate the value from the results. The results show the water quality of the location where the water taken from like a river, dam, lake, or stream. The WQI created in the early 1970s. It created to analyze the health of the water and the people who consumed the water. It used to monitor water quality changes in a water source during a certain period (Kumar and Dua 2009;
Yogendra & Puttaiah 2008).
One of the problems of the dam is that it is green and very slimy. The cleaner the water the better quality of air in the area. It will improve the livelihood the people who live around the area.
Contamination of floor water with pathogenic organisms in wastewater could bring about transmission of waterborne illnesses for folks that use the water aid for home and other functions downstream. Heavy metal pollution is also known as heavy metal contamination. It is term used to describe high levels of toxic metals in an environment. Heavy metals density of at least 5 times of that of water and a higher atomic number. The heavy metals are very dangerous and kill humans and animals slowly. Heavy metals introduced into the environment through industrial waste, domestic processes and in very rare cases through natural cycles (Sasalova et al., 2013; Fridrich et al., 2014).
These metals leached out and in sloppy areas, carried by acid water downstream or run-off to the sea.
The effects of toxicity of the heavy metals depends on the factors such as the Heavy Metal dose, route of exposure, and chemical species, as well as the age, gender, genetics, and nutritional status of exposed individuals. The source of heavy metals contamination is finding out from human activities, such as rapid development of industrial, cities and strength station. Due to incorrect disposal of the wastage, it will produce the damaging heavy steel to the environment in which at the end it will also reach to the soil, aquatic environment even the groundwater. Main objective of this study is to establish water quality and heavy metals contamination awareness with analyze the knowledge of water quality and water pollution among respondents (AE ATPUTHARAJ, 2013).
2. Methodology
The study aimed raising awareness about water quality and heavy metal contamination in dams and lakes in the local area. This study has so many factors that affect it and how it impacts the environment.
Using the PEST management analysis (Political, Environmental, Social and Technological) method to analyse and categorize the survey and how the factors affect the way of living. The targeted population for the survey is people who live near lakes and dams. These will give us a clear view of what is going on at the places. They will give us an idea of what kind of activities that done at the places. The activities will also help us gauge what kind of pollution done at the area. The data collected refers to the responses that been done. This is also the gathering of information and making sure the target audience able to give feedback. This also gives easier information be able to formulate the questions and make sure they are in line with the research objectives. The method of data collection is through google forms. A survey questionnaire is a form consisting of specific questions formulated by a researcher to the respondents such as Demographic, Social Aspect, Environmental Aspect, Economical Aspect, Political Aspect and Technogical Aspect. It used to distinguish the research objectives and factors involved.
Figure 1.0: Flow chart
3. Results and Discussion
Demography is divided by 5 ages of range and 2 states as locations, which are Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. The main reason is that Pahang state (Bentong and Raub districts) supplies water to Selangor region. The chart below shows most of the people who responded to this survey. The majority of respondents were from the state of Selangor, with most being 63% of the total respondents as figure 2.0.
Figure 2.0: Location Demography
Figure 3.0 shows age demography; 40% shared in the 2 aged group range 30 – 39 and 40 – 49. The main reason is that they are working adults in the Klang Valley, while the lowest were aged 50 and above, because they are retired people. The 15% balance is in the age range 19 – 29. Mostly, this age group is students and graduate students.
Site Identification
Qualitative Survey
Analysis of Data obtained
Discussion of Results
Conclusion
Negeri Sembilan
37%
Selangor 63%
Location Demography
Figure 3.0: Age Demography
The social aspect of the results sums up the activities, lifestyles, cultural preferences, rural-urban movement. As seen in figure 4.0 the question were ask is “What are the activities you do at the lakes or dams in your area?” , most people go to the lakes and dams around for walks. There are about 38.5% of the people who use the lakes and dams for walks, while about 8.5%, 38% and 15% of respondents use the place for leisure time, jogging and picnics, respectively.
Figure 4.0: Social activities at local dams and lakes
The environmental aspect deals with the influence of heavy metals and poor quality of the lakes and dams. Figure 5.0 shows the knowledge people have about water quality. The respondents were questioned on what the definition of water quality was. The respondents were questioned on what the definition of water quality was; good drinking water was interpreted as free from bacterial contamination. About 69% of the respondents have minimal information about water quality. There are about 10% with the most knowledge and 20% with zero knowledge.
15%
40%
40%
5%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Age
Age Demography
50 and Above 40 - 49 30 - 39 19 - 29
15%
38%
38.50%
8.50%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Picnics Jogging Walks Leisure
Activity
What are the activities you do at
the lakes or dams in your area?
Figure 5.0: Water Quality Knowledge
Figure 6.0 shows a question asking “In your opinion, which of the pollution causes urban runoff” is where the pollution is seen in the water bodies and where it is exposed. About 50% and 30% of people think pollution comes from roads and chemical waste from factories that is swept away by rain or storm. While 17% of household waste is washed down by water or dumped near or in the river. Animal waste, Fertilizer and Soil show 1% each from respondent’s point of view.
Figure 6.0: Runoff Pollution
One of the environmental issues is heavy metals. As figure 7.0, about 30%, 25%, 20%, 10% and 5%
know about heavy metals and these metals are Zinc, Mercury, Iron, Copper, Arsenic and Lead respectively. This percentage shows the respondents aware of heavy metals.
21%
69%
10%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Zero Knowledge Minimal Knowledge Best Knowledge
What the definition of water quality was?
50%
1%
1%
1%
17%
30%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Roadside Animal Waste Fertilizer Soil Household Waste Chemical Waste
Which of the following causes urban runoff pollution?
10%
10%
30%
25%
5%
20%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
Arsenic Copper Zinc Mercury Lead Iron
Which of the following Heavy Metals
have you heard of?
The economic results deal with a series of questions that related to water quality and heavy metal pollution. Figure 8.0 shows that about 70% of respondents think that poor water quality affects the local business and the life of the people, while 30% think they can survive life affects the local business and life. The question that was asked was “Does poor water quality affect the local business and livelihood of people in the area”.
Figure 8.0: Water quality and effect on humans
Figure 9.0 shows the relationship between adding some technologies. With the addition of better water supply, sewerage, urban drainage, and better flood mitigation, 57% of respondents think these will help promote economic growth and improve the quality of water and life. This gives more information on what future steps are to be taken or can be taken in future. While 20% think the relationship between these won't create any benefit, the remaining 23% have no knowledge of this benefit. These questions were asked in figure 9.0 “With the development of public utilities such as water supply, sewerage, and urban drainage and flood mitigation programs, do you think they help the environment and the implementation of water technology will grow and improve the economy and life?
Figure 9.0: Relationship between the environment and implantation of water technology
The political aspect of the results are compiled questions in relation to politics. These may involve the government, stake holders and Non-Government Organizations (NGO). These are focused on getting information on the opinions of the group. Figure 10.0 with 74% of respondents think the government plays a major role in the rehabilitation of local dams and lakes, while 25% is the responsibility of stake holders and 1% by NGO.
70%
30%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
YES NO
Does poor water quality affect the local business and livelihood of
people in the area
20%
57%
23%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
NO YES NO IDEA
Do you think they help the environment and the implementation
of water technology will grow and
…Figure 10.0: Responsible parties in taking initiatives in the Water Quality
Figure 11 shows 84% (63% + 21%) of respondents believe that the public should pressure authorities and stakeholders to build awareness while 16% believe it should be NGO's responsibility to build more awareness of water quality and pollution.
Figure 11.0: Authorities vs pressure from public
Technology is used in our everyday lives. The technological aspect shows the relationship between water quality and heavy metal pollution through technology. Figure 12 shows 60% are not aware of any technologies or water cleaning initiatives that are being used to clean the lakes, whereas 40% are aware of the latest technology, while in figure 13, 88% of respondents suggest implementation of the latest technologies, such as river boats or any other self-cleaning machines being used in local dams and lakes. Dams and lakes.
74%
25%
1%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Government Stake Holders NGO
Do you think the following parties are taking initiatives to improve
water quality?
16%
21%
63%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
NGO Stake Holders Government
Who should build more awareness of water quality?
40%
60%
Are you aware of any technologies or water cleaning initiatives that are being used to clean
the lakes and dams?
YES NO
Figure 13.0: Implementation of technologies in lakes and dams
Water quality and heavy metal awareness in Malaysia is an essential tool to use. The effect of the various activities done near, at or in the lakes and dams. There are various ways to categorize the outcome of the survey. In the group of 100 people, with most people being between 30 – 49 years old and from Selangor state.
It is seen that the majority of people go to the dams and lakes near nearby mainly for walks and leisure time. This could be the time some of the rubbish or trash is thrown into the water or by the side. The people who live near the water bodies are affected by the water quality. This is because the water can have bad smells and attract mosquitos. The poor water quality can also affect the day-to-day lifestyle of the community, especially if there is a market or mall nearby. This tends to put off people and may in turn affect the economic growth of the community.
With low economic income, poverty can drive people to rural and urban migration. The rural urban movement also poses a danger to the water quality. Many people who move from rural areas to urban areas may be used to the rural lifestyle and may not use the water in the lake or dam for different uses.
As they move to the urban areas, there is a new culture brought about. Figure 14.0 question was asked
“The problem of population growth is particularly felt in the urban areas, due to rural and urban migration and growing urbanization. Does rural and urban migration affect the water quality in urban areas?” with a total of 77% of the respondents thinking that lifestyles, culture and poverty affect the water quality in their local dams and lakes.
Figure 14.0: Understanding migration and growing urbanization respondent knowledge 12%
88%
Should technologies such as river boats or any other self cleaning machines be used in local dams
and lakes
YES NO
23%
77%
Understanding migration and growing urbanization respondent knowledge
NO YES
As the focus of awareness of this research is heavy metal pollution and water quality, there are people who knew or were aware of the underlining issue as shown in figure 5.0 and figure 7.0. Most people had limited knowledge about this. From figure 6.0, the result is that most pollution in the water bodies comes from roads and chemical waste from factories. This pollution can easily be swept into the water bodies by rain or storm. Heavy metal pollution is one of the causes of pollution of water bodies in general. The most known by respondents were zinc and mercury. Even with this knowledge, very few people know the effects of heavy metals on humans and aquatic life.
Many parties and groups are involved in water quality assessment and awareness, with the leading factor being any country`s government. In certain third world countries, water can be affected by political events such as elections and riots. This is the case in Malaysia in the movement, but the political arena in Malaysia has little effect on the water quality. One way to boost the water quality and heavy metal awareness is by creating or joining an advocacy group or non-governmental organization to help promote the water quality scene in the area.
4. Conclusion and Recommendations
There is a need for more awareness of water quality and heavy metal pollution. The objectives have been met, which are the water quality and heavy metals awareness at local dams and lakes. This was to gauge what knowledge people have and what they can do better. With lack of exposure, the water quality can be improved and heavy metal pollution can be reduced.
Popularized awareness programs among the public, especially farmers at varied levels, ought to be created effectively so as to attain self-sufficiency in property and water resource development.
Awareness and angle amendment are an additional priority to be instilled within the authorities and therefore, society, as a full, to reinforce the clean-up method might take decades due to urbanization, population explosion and industry. These natural resources are becoming impure. Environmental degradation has become an important social problem due to unmonitored human activity. Entering into the human body by exhale or skin penetration, mainly toxic heavy metals through polluted water contribute to direct and indirect health issues.
The Water quality Index (WQI) may serve as an important way for those who live along rivers to assess water quality annually and to convey water quality knowledge and appreciation of surface water quality to the public of diverse background. The degree of education and surveillance of drinking water quality impacts public concern about health and pollination of drinking water. The information analysed by this research advised a decision to improve the monitoring of water quality in order to guarantee water protection. This also aims to increase concerns about the quality of drinking water, promote healthcare, develop information on the health of potable water, and strengthen rescue efforts for incidents involving pollution, for example, the Kim Kim River in the Johor year 2019. The importance of the water quality provided to the public by city council could increase public fulfilment.
Several recommendations have been recognized for future research. One of them is to introduce the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) from primary education up to tertiary education. By introducing the SDG goal framework from goal 1 to goal 17, it can be accomplished by bringing together their respective governments, businesses, media, institutions of higher education, and local NGOs to improve the lives of the people in Malaysia by the year 2030 and in line with the United Nations framework expertise plus collaboration or joint
Another recommendation is to use analysis tools to be able to analyse the data. This data can be analyzed based on trends due to cultural, or environmental changes or location dynamics. Analysis software that can be used can be Programmable logic controller (PLC) for example, like QUAL2K or SCADA, to simulate trends in the field of study. This will give broad knowledge for the study and an easier method to find solutions and predictions about water quality and water pollution.
References
A.Uma Elizabeth, Atputharaj (2013) The influence of service quality factors on customer satisfaction and drinking water quality in Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (SYABAS). Masters thesis, Universiti Utara Malaysia.
A. Kumar, A. Dua (2010). Water quality index for assessment of water quality of river Ravi at Madhopur Global Journal of Environmental Sciences 8(1) DOI: 10.4314/gjes.v8i1.50824 Kishan Gunesegeran. (2021). Acid mine drainage and heavy metals contamination of abandoned and
active mine site at Old Repas Dam in Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia. IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ.
Sci. 646 012047
Yogendra Kambalagere, E. T. Puttaiah. (2008) Determination of Water Quality Index and Suitability of an Urban Waterbody in Shimoga Town, Karnataka. The 12th World Lake Conference: 342- 346
Sasakova, N., Veselitz-Lakticova, K., Hromada, R., Chvojka, D., Kosco, J., and Ondrasovic, M.
(2013) Pollution of Surface and Ground Water by Sources Related to Agricultural Activities https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2018.00042Sasakova, N., Veselitz-Lakticova, K., Hromada, R., Chvojka, D., Kosco, J., and Ondrasovic, M. (2013).
Fradrich, , B., Krčmar, D., Dalmacija, B., Molnar, J., Pešić, V., Kragulj, M., et al. (2014). Impact of wastewater from pig farm lagoons on the quality of local groundwater. Agric. Water Manag.
135, 40–53. doi: 10.1016/j.agwat.2013.12.014.
