The performance of integrated groundwater treatment system in treating shallow groundwater in Parit Raja, Johor

Groundwater can be an alternative source to meet the demand for clean water supply. Unfortunately, lots of contaminant present in groundwater have made it unsafe for domestic use and drinking. Therefore, groundwater should be treated to an acceptable level before consumption. The overall aim of this study is to improve groundwater quality using Integrated Groundwater Treatment System (IGTs). The system was designed and installed in the hydro-meteorology station at UTHM. Initially, hydrochemical characterisation of the groundwater were determined using piper diagram and statistical analysis. The optimum conditions for each treatment system were identified prior to the installation of IGTs. The system consists of several treatments namely pre-aeration, post-aeration, sedimentation, filtration with customised filter tank and ceramic filter, and dilution with harvested rainwater. From the results obtained, major cation and anion found were Na and Cl, respectively. The type of water that predominates the study area is Na–Cl which indicates that the groundwater is influenced by seawater intrusion. For post-aeration and sedimentation processes, the most suitable time taken ranged between 18 hours and 48 hours. For filtration, the most suitable customised filter tank was Filter type D with brick layer as the dominant component. Meanwhile, ceramic filter was selected to be used in the candle filter. Using IGTs, the system was able to reduce concentrations of TDS, Na, Cl, Fe, and Mn by 70.3%, 23.42%, 81.81%, 90.48%, and 61.62%, respectively. Due to very high concentrations of parameters in the study area, not all parameters met the Drinking Water Quality Standard and Recommended Raw Water Quality Standard by Ministry of Health Malaysia. Overall, the study results could serve as important baseline information for authorities in Malaysia to plan and manage groundwater in the future.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

mphil

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Mohd Shahli, Fitryaliah

• GB Physical geography

Language dc:language

en