Title: Analysis of urban water quality trends for effective reservoir sedimentation management in Cameron Highland

Authors: Nurshahira Mohd Noh; Lariyah Mohd Sidek; Siti Humaira Haron; Amirah Hanim Mohd Puad; Zalilah Selamat; Azwin Zailti Abd Razad; Chow Ming Fai

Addresses: Sustainable Technology and Environment Group, Institute for Energy and Infrastructure, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Jalan Ikram-Uniten, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia ' Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Malaysia; Sustainable Technology and Environment Group, Institute for Energy and Infrastructure, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Jalan Ikram-Uniten, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia ' Sustainable Technology and Environment Group, Institute for Energy and Infrastructure, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Jalan Ikram-Uniten, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia ' ZHL Engineers Sdn. Bhd., No. 16A, 1st Floor, Jalan Diplomatik 2/1, Precint 15, 62050 Putrajaya, Malaysia ' Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, 50626 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' Civil Engineering and Geoinformatics Unit, TNB Research Sdn. Bhd., No. 1, Lorong Air Hitam, Kawasan Institusi Penyelidikan Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia ' Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Malaysia

Abstract: Water quality in Cameron Highlands has significantly diminished due to agricultural activities. This research aims to analyse water quality in the urban and agricultural area by conducting water sampling and in situ analysis. Water quality index (WQI), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were calculated and compared among different areas. Results for WQI shows that water quality at W7 deteriorates at class IV (33.5) compared to class II for another agriculture area. Meanwhile, another results showed that the WQ_02_AG transported significantly higher (14.9 mg/L) loads of TN than the urban area, but the phosphorus load was considerably lower (1.58 mg/L). Results for the urban area are slightly polluted and unsuitable for recreational purpose. In agricultural areas, water quality deteriorates due to sediment transport and nutrient infusion caused by agricultural activities. Therefore, powerful agricultural management practices for effective reservoir sedimentation management as one of the non-structural measures are recommended.

Keywords: water pollution; water quality index; WQI; agriculture; sedimentation; reservoir.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2019.104753

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2019 Vol.22 No.4/5, pp.276 - 290

Received: 15 Nov 2018
Accepted: 23 Feb 2019
Published online: 30 Jan 2020 *

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