TABLE OF CONTENT

1.0 ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ 2

2.0 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................. 3
3.0 OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................................... 4
4.0 THEORY ............................................................................................................................ 5
5.0 MATERIALS & APPARATUS ........................................................................................ 7
6.0 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................ 8
7.0 RESULTS ......................................................................................................................... 11
8.0 SAMPLE OF CALCULATIONS ................................................................................... 12
9.0 DISCUSSION ................................................................................................................... 13
10.0 CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................. 16
11.0 RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................... 17
12.0 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................... 18
13.0 APPENDIX ..................................................................................................................... 19

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 1

1.0 ABSTRACT

Our sources of water, including municipal water systems, wells, lakes, rivers, and even
glaciers, contain some level of contamination including heavy metals. The objectives of the
experiment is to determine the levels of chlorine (total and free), iron, sulphates and
phosphorus in the lake water sample and ascertain whether they comply with Malaysia Water
Standards. The reagents used are DPD Total Chlorine Powder Pillow, DPD Free Chlorine
Powder Pillow, Sulfa Ver 4 Sulfate Reagent Powder Pillow, Phos Ver 3 Phosphate Powder
Pillow, Ferro Ver iron Reagent Powder Pillow and Chroma Ver 3 Reagent Powder Pillow.
Five sample of 10 mL lake water with different reagent is prepared in sample cell bottles to
determine the concentration of chlorine total, chlorine free, sulphate, phosphorus and iron
using hach spectrophotometer. The concentration of chlorine total, chlorine free, sulphate,
phosphorus and iron are 0.50 mg/L, 0.17 mg/L,10.0 mg/L, 1.40 mg/L and 0.59 mg/L,
respectively. The lake water does not comply with the Malaysian water quality standard,
therefore the lake water is not suitable for drinking purposes. The lake water needs to be
treated in order to be used for daily life activities The objectives are successfully obtained,
therefore the experiment is successfully done.

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 2

2.0 INTRODUCTION

Microorganisms such as bacteria are responsible for decomposing organic waste. When
organic matter such as dead plants, leaves, grass clippings, manure, sewage, or even food
waste is present in a water supply, the bacteria will begin the process of breaking down this
waste. When this happens, much of the available dissolved oxygen is consumed by aerobic
bacteria, robbing other aquatic organisms of the oxygen they need to live. Biological Oxygen
Demand (BOD) is a measure of the oxygen used by microorganisms to decompose this
waste. If there is a large quantity of organic waste in the water supply, there will also be a lot
of bacteria present working to decompose this waste. In this case, the demand for oxygen will
be high (due to all the bacteria) so the BOD level will be high. As the waste is consumed or
dispersed through the water, BOD levels will begin to decline.

The reality of today’s water quality, where most of it is contaminated by heavy

metals, such as phosphorus, iron, sulphate, lead, mercury, cadmium and chlorine. The
exposure and existence of these heavy metals are apparently one of the main threats to
human’s health. These metals have been studied extensively and their circumstances on
human health regularly reviewed by international parties such as the World Health
Organization (WHO). The perspective of people regarding the heavy metals pollution is that
it is associated only in areas where great deals of industries are operating. On the contrary,
roadways and automobiles are now considered as large possible sources for such hazardous
heavy metals.

Heavy metals can be very harmful to one’s health if a drinking water containing such
deadly metals is consumed. The adverse circumstances include disturbance in growth and
development, triggering cancer, organ damage and nervous system damage. Research shows
that youngsters are more susceptible to be affected to the toxicity of the heavy metals, as the
rapidly developing body systems in foetus, infants and young children are far more sensitive
than the adults. Heavy metal pollution is a quickly growing problem for our oceans, lakes,
and rivers. Heavy metal pollution is a threat to human health, animals, plants, and the planet
itself, and is mainly caused by industrialization and its consequences. While some of the
metal pollutants come from fertilizers and sewage, the biggest source of heavy metal
pollution definitely is industrialization.

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 3

3.0 OBJECTIVES

1) To determine the levels of chlorine (total and free) , iron, sulphates and phosphorus in the
lake water sample.
2) To ascertain whether the lake water sample comply with Malaysian Water Standards.

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 4

4.0 THEORY

Many countries that operates numerous heavy industrial factories and have records of
polluted environment, which explains lots of news and reports stating that most tap and well
water in that country is not safe for drinking purpose. It is even believed that almost all our
sources of water, including municipal water systems, wells, lakes, rivers, and even glaciers,
contain some level of contamination. The heavy metals penetrate and pollute our natural
water sources along with toxic bacteria and other chemicals, making people sick as well as
causing long term health consequences such as liver damage, cancer and other serious health
problems.

Even some brands of bottled water have been found to be polluted and harmful in
addition to plastic chemical leaching from the bottle. Polluted drinking water can be found
anywhere. Even in cities or countries that claim to have healthy water supplies, there are still
cases regarding polluted water because the local water may contain unique bacteria. Unsafe
drinking water sources can spread serious diseases, such as potential water-borne illnesses
like Hepatitis A, Typhoid Fever and other serious diseases. Most of these diseases have
different types of systems, but they all result in abdominal pain, cramping and diarrhoea.

Usually chlorine is added to water to deactivate and destroy disease-causing

microorganisms and is the most widely used as disinfectant. It can react with naturally
occurring organic compounds found in water supply, which in turns produce hazardous
compounds, known as disinfection by-products (DBPs). Trihalomethanes (THMs) and
haloacetic acids are common DBPs. It is undeniably potentially carcinogenic especially to
organs such as kidney and liver. Due to this, federal regulations in the United States of
America require regular monitoring of the concentrations of these compounds in the
distribution systems of municipal water systems. Nevertheless, the WHO states that the risks
to health from DBPs are extremely small in comparison with inadequate disinfection.

In addition, phosphorus occurs naturally in rocks and other mineral deposits.

Technically, the rocks release the phosphorus as phosphate ions which are soluble in water
and the mineralize phosphate compounds breakdown. Phosphates (PO43-) are formed from
this element. Phosphate occurs in living and decaying plants and animals as free ions or
weakly chemically bounded in aqueous, to sediments and soils, or as mineralized compounds
in soils, rocks and sediments. The phosphorus is often scarce in the well-oxygenated waters

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 5

and low levels of phosphorus results in the limitation of production of freshwater systems.
Phosphates are generally not toxic to humans or animals unless they are present in high levels
of concentration. Phosphorus pollution accelerates a process called eutrophication, which is
essentially the process of a lake’s biological death due to depleted bioavailable oxygen. The
build-up of phosphate in the lake water or any surface water ecosystem leads to
overproduction of lake or water body which results in the imbalance in the nutrient and
material cycling process. There will be massive production of phytoplankton and therefore
cause variety of problems ranging from anoxic waters to toxic algal blooms as well as
decrease in diversity, food supply and destroying the habitats. Excessive growth of algal due
to phosphorus pollution increase water treatments costs, degrades fishing and boating
activities as well as impacts tourism and property values.

Besides, sulfate is also present in almost all natural waters. Sulfate is indeed one of
the major dissolved constituents in rainwater. High concentrations of sulfate in drinking
water cause a laxative effect when combined with magnesium and calcium. Bacteria which in
fact attacks and reduces sulfate, causes the formation of hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S). Other
than that, there are also the present of iron in the natural waters. The maximum contaminant
level (MCLs) of iron is 0.3 mg/L. Iron ingestion is not generally unhealthy and absolutely
necessary in small amounts. However, research has found that exposure to high levels of iron
can lead to heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Iron is often included in supplements and
enriched products. It also contains in red meat, therefore easily to be consumed.

Thus, in this experiment, absorption spectroscopy will be used to detect the level
concentrations of chlorine, sulfate, iron and phosphorus in the lake water sample. The basic
premise of spectroscopy is that the amount of electromagnetic radiation emitted comes from
the amount of energy released during transition of an analyte from the ground state to the
excited state or vice-versa. Theoretically, colored aqueous solutions have chemical species
contents which absorb significant wavelengths of light. Similarly, heavy metals can be
identified via absorption of wavelengths of light. Absorption spectroscopy operates on the
measuring principle of light before and after it passes through an aqueous metal solution. The
amount of light absorbed by the chemical species in the sample is equivalent to the difference
in the amount of light before it enters the sample and after it exits the sample. For the purpose
of light to be absorbed by chemical species, the light must be set to a specific wavelength.
Every chemical species absorbs distinct wavelengths of light. In absorption spectroscopy, the
wavelengths of light absorbed by a metal in solution are detected.

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 6

5.0 MATERIALS & APPARATUS

5.1) APPARATUS

No. Apparatus Description

1. 10ml round sample cell bottles To keep water sample and transport it to the
spectrophotometer without contamination.
2. Measuring cylinder To measure the volume of lake water.
3. Tissue wiper To eliminate the impressions such as
fingerprint of round sample cell bottle before
measure in spectrophotometer.
4. Spectrophotometer To measure the concentration of chemical in
lake water

5.2) MATERIALS

1) Lake Water Sample

2) DPD Total Chlorine Powder Pillow
3) DPD Total Chlorine Powder Pillow
4) FerroVer Iron Reagent Powder Pillow
5) PhosVer 3 phosphate Powder Pillow
6) SulfaVer 4 Reagent Powder Pillow
7) Distilled water

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 7

6.0 METHODOLOGY

Experiment A: Chlorine, Total (0.02 to 2.00 mg/L) – Using DPD Method.

1) The hach programs was entered and the program 80 Chlor. F&T. was selected and started
the program.
2) The 10 mL of lake water sample filled in a round sample cell.
3) The content of one DPD Total Chlorine Powder Pillow was added to the sample cell. The
sample cell was swirled for 20 seconds to mix the sample.
4) From the program, the timer icon was selected and three-minute reaction period will
begin. The steps 5 and 6 were performed during this time period.
5) Another round sample cell was filled with 10 mL of distilled water. The sample cell
wiped with suitable wiper and placed it into the cell holder.
6) The zeroing program was selected and the 0.00 mg/L Cl2 was displayed.
7) The prepared sample wiped and then placed it into the cell holder within three minutes
after the timer beep.
8) The read program was selected and the result was recorded.

Experiment B: Chlorine, Free (0.02 to 2.00 mg/L) – Using DPD Method.

1) The hach programs was entered and the program 80 Chlor. F&T. was selected and started
the program.
2) The 10 mL of distilled water filled in a round cell sample.
3) The sample cell wiped with suitable wiper and placed it into the cell holder.
4) The zeroing program was selected and the 0.00 mg/L Cl2 was displayed.
5) The second round sample cell was filled with 10 mL of lake water sample
6) The content of one DPD Total Chlorine Powder Pillow was added to second sample cell.
The sample cell was swirled for 20 seconds to mix the sample and immediately proceed
to step 7.
7) The prepared sample placed into the cell holder within one minute of adding the reagent.
8) The read program was selected and the result was recorded.

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 8

Experiment C: Iron, Total (0.02 to 3.00 mg/L) – Using FerroVer Method.

1) The hach programs was entered and the program 265 iron, FerroVer. was selected and
started the program.
2) The 10 mL of lake water sample filled in a round sample cell.
3) The content of one FerroVer Iron Reagent Powder Pillow was added to the sample cell.
The sample cell was swirled to mix the prepared sample.
4) From the program, the timer icon was selected and three-minute reaction period will
begin. Notes: Sample that contains rust should react for at least 5 minutes.
5) Another round sample cell was filled with 10 mL of distilled water.
6) The sample cell wiped with suitable wiper and placed it into the cell holder when the
timer beeps.
7) The zeroing program was selected and the 0.00 mg/L Fe was displayed.
8) The prepared sample wiped and then placed it into the cell holder. The read program was
selected and the result was recorded.

Experiment D: Phosphorus, Reactive - Orthophosphate (0.02 to 2.50 mg/L) – Using

PhosVer 3 (Ascorbic Acid) Method.

1) The hach programs was entered and the program 490 P React. PV. was selected and
started the program.
2) The 10 mL of lake water sample filled in a round sample cell.
3) The content of one PhosVer 3 phosphate Powder Pillow was added to the sample cell.
The sample cell was swirled to mix the prepared sample immediately.
4) From the program, the timer icon was selected and two-minute reaction period will begin.
5) Another round sample cell was filled with 10 mL of distilled water.
6) The sample cell wiped with suitable wiper and placed it into the cell holder when the
timer beeps.
7) The zeroing program was selected and the 0.00 mg/L PO43- was displayed.
8) The prepared sample wiped and then placed it into the cell holder. The read program was
selected and the result was recorded.

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 9

Experiment E: Sulfate (2 to 70 mg/L) – Using SulfaVer 4 Method.

1) The hach programs was entered and the program 680 Sulfate was selected and started the
program.
2) The 10 mL of lake water sample filled in a round sample cell.
3) The content of one SulfaVer 4 Reagent Powder Pillow was added to the sample cell. The
sample cell was swirled to mix the prepared sample.
4) From the program, the timer icon was selected and five-minute reaction period will begin.
5) Another round sample cell was filled with 10 mL of distilled water.
6) The sample cell wiped with suitable wiper and placed it into the cell holder when the
timer beeps.
7) The zeroing program was selected and the 0.00 mg/L SO42- was displayed.
8) The prepared sample placed into the cell holder within five minutes after the timer beeps.
The read program was selected and the result was recorded.
9) The sample cells cleaned with soap and a brush

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 10

7.0 RESULTS

Table 1 – The Level Of The Substances in The Lake Water Sample

Substance Reagent Colour of Concentration of Mass of
Solution substances (mg/L) Substances
(mg)
Chlorine Total DPD Total Colourless 0.50 5x10-3
Chlorine powder
pillow
Chlorine Free DPD Free Colourless 0.17 1.7x10-3
Chlorine powder
pillow
Sulfate Sulfate ver 4 Yellowish 10.0 0.1
reagent powder
pillow
Phosphorus Phosphorus ver 3 Pale Dark Blue 1.40 1.4x10-2
Phosphate
powder pillow
Iron Ferro ver Iron Light Pink 0.59 5.9x10-3
Reagent powder
pillow

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 11

8.0 SAMPLE OF CALCULATIONS

Sample Calculation For Mass Of The Substances :-

( )

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 12

9.0 DISCUSSION

The objectives of the experiment is to determine the levels of chlorine (total and free), iron,
sulfates and phosphorus in the lake water sample and ascertain whether they comply with
Malaysia Water Standards. The lake water sample is taken from a lake located in Seksyen 7,
Shah Alam. The reagents used are DPD Total Chlorine Powder Pillow, DPD Free Chlorine
Powder Pillow, Sulfa Ver 4 Sulfate Reagent Powder Pillow, Phos Ver 3 Phosphate Powder
Pillow, Ferro Ver iron Reagent Powder Pillow and Chroma Ver 3 Reagent Powder Pillow.

Free Chlorine is the chlorine that is still available to sanitize the water. Combined
Chlorine is the chlorine that have been used up to sanitize the water. Total chlorine is the sum
of the Combined and Free Chlorine present in the water. (Morris, 2016) The presence of
chlorine in water helps in disinfect or kill possibly harmful microorganisms. The experiment
used DPD method since this method is the most accurate way to measure for free chlorine
and total chlorine. (Chlorine Residual Testing (CDC))

After the addition of the reagent, the colour of the lake water sample remained
colourless. The result obtained for free chlorine and total chlorine is 0.17mg/L and 0.50mg/L,
respectively. Based on the free and total chlorine value, the lake water sample do not comply
with Ministry of Health Malaysia which propose 0.2mg/L – 5.0mg/L (Free Chlorine) and not
less than 1.0mg/L for combined chlorine in the Drinking Water Quality Standard. Other than
drinking, in case anyone want to go swimming in the lake, the result show that it is rather not
safe for that purpose since the range is too low which is below 1mg/L. (Safe Chlorine Level
for Swimming Pools, 2016) The low chlorine value indicates that the lake water need further
chlorine treatment to ensure the harmful microorganism disinfect effectively.

Based on this experiment, the concentration of sulfate recorded is 10.0mg/L. It shows

that the amount of sulfate is acceptable since it is below the recommended limits for water
used which is 250 mg/L. But the lake water is still not suitable for drinking purpose since the
other heavy metals did not comply the standard. In humans, concentrations of 500 to 750
mg/L can cause a temporary laxative effect. However, the doses of several thousand mg/L did
not cause any long-term ill effects. Sulfate ions also are involved in complexion and
precipitation reactions which affect solubility of metals and other substances. Sulfate are not
considered toxic to plants or animals at normal concentrations.

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 13

 Theoretically, phosphorus is the eleventh-most abundant mineral in the earth's crust
and does not exist in a gaseous state. Phosphorus in water exists in either a particulate phase
or a dissolved phase. Particulate matter includes living and dead plankton, precipitates of
phosphorus, phosphorus adsorbed to particulates, and amorphous phosphorus. In this
experiment, the concentration of phosphorus recorded is 1.4mg/L. It shows that the level of
phosphates is quite higher than the EPA water quality standard, which stated that the
phosphates should not exceed 0.025 mg/L within a lake. So, the lake water sample is not
suitable for drinking and need further process to remove the heavy metals before humans or
animal can consume the water.

The concentration of iron in the lake water sample is exceeding the range
concentration of iron in Water Malaysia Standards. In fact, the maximum contaminant level
of iron is 0.3 mg/L. It is because iron ingestion is not unhealthy and absolutely necessary in
small amount. If the lake water complies to drink, it can be lead to heart disease, cancer and
diabetes. From the observation, the color of prepared solution becomes clear light pink. It is
because iron present in two forms either the soluble ferrous iron or insoluble ferric iron. So,
the lake water containing ferrous iron is clear and colorless because is completely dissolved.

In this experiment, there are five of prepared sample which have 10 mL of lake water
with their reagent for each round sample cell bottles. The prepared samples reagents are
chlorine total, free chlorine, sulfate, chromium, iron and phosphorus. From the result, the
concentration of chlorine total, chlorine free, sulfate, phosphorus and iron are 0.50 mg/L,
0.17 mg/L,10.0 mg/L, 1.40 mg/L and 0.59 mg/L, respectively. Based on the following data,
the lake water sample mostly concentrated with sulfate which have yellowish sample.
According to the Water Quality Standards For Malaysia, the range concentration of chemical
in water that can be safe to drink are 0.2-5.0 mg/L for free residual chlorine, less that 1.0
mg/L for chlorine total, 0.3 mg/L for iron and 250 mg/L for sulfate. Since the lake water does
not comply with the Malaysian water quality standard, therefore the lake water is not suitable
for drinking purposes.

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 14

 From the experiment conducted, it should be noted that absorptivity is dependent on
factors such as wavelength used and concentration of the solution, therefore, it is necessary
that the standardization of the spectrophotometer be carried out to avoid variations in the
absorptivity for the same wavelength used. However, there are some few steps that might
cause error and affect the result obtained. For instance, wrong way of handling the square
cuvette bottle used to contain the diluted solutions might affected the result obtained. This is
because any fingerprints or smudge imprinted on outside the bottle might become the
interference for the solutions to absorb wavelength of light in the spectrophotometer. Thus,
the reading of absorbance by the instruments may not be accurate.

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 15

10.0 CONCLUSION

Dissolved chemical that contains in lake water sample such as chlorine, sulfate, chromium,
iron and phosphorus was determined. It is determined whether it reaches the range of the
dissolved heavy metals in lake water sample when a certain volume is taken by using
Spectrophotometer. In this experiment, there are five of prepared sample which have 10 mL
of lake water with their reagent for each round sample cell bottles. The reagents used are
DPD Total Chlorine Powder Pillow, DPD Free Chlorine Powder Pillow, Sulfa Ver 4 Sulfate
Reagent Powder Pillow, Phos Ver 3 Phosphate Powder Pillow, Ferro Ver iron Reagent
Powder Pillow and Chroma Ver 3 Reagent Powder Pillow. From the result, the concentration
of chlorine total, chlorine free, sulfate, phosphorus and iron are 0.50 mg/L, 0.17 mg/L,10.0
mg/L, 1.40 mg/L and 0.59 mg/L, respectively. Based on the following data, the lake water
sample mostly concentrated with sulfate which have yellowish sample. According to the
Water Quality Standards For Malaysia, the range concentration of chemical in water that can
be safe to drink are 0.2-5.0 mg/L for free residual chlorine, less that 1.0 mg/L for chlorine
total, 0.3 mg/L for iron and 250 mg/L for sulfate. Since the lake water does not comply with
the Malaysian water quality standard, therefore the lake water is not suitable for drinking
purposes. The lake water needs to be treated in order to be used for daily life activities. The
objective of the experiment is achieved, therefore the experiment is successfully done.

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 16

11.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on this experiment, there are many ways to improve the experiment in order to obtain
the perfect results. Firstly, in order to avoid any mistakes, conduct the experiment with the
guidance of the lecturer or lab assistant to ensure that the experiment run smoothly.

Besides, ensure that when pour the solution in the cuvette, it should be taken at eye
level which is parallel to our eyes to avoid parallax error. In addition, this experiment must be
repeated thrice to increase the accuracy of the reading. So that the average value can be
obtained and the result is more accurate and precise rather than doing an experiment without
an average.

Next, the sample must be analyzed immediately after collection and cannot be kept
for later analysis. This is because the heavy metals content of the water sample might differ
from the time it is collected until it is analyzed.

Furthermore, it is highly advised to keep the cuvettes clean, and wipe them before
placing them inside the spectrophotometer to ensure the results obtain is more accurate.
Avoid any smudged, fingers print and dirt at the wall of cuvette. It is better to use gloves. If
there are any particles at wall of cuvette, the reading will be incorrect and the light will be
distracted. Cuvettes made of quartz are also preferred since cuvettes made of plastic has been
known to contribute to the absorbance measured.

Last but not least, we must study the manual lab that have been given to us before
start up the experiment. For example, study how to use the spectrophotometer in order to
obtain the absorbance value. We also can improve our skill and knowledge to ensure that
experiment can be done smoothly.

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 17

12.0 REFERENCES

Safe Chlorine Level for Swimming Pools. (2016, October 12). Retrieved November 24, 2017,
from Grand Slam Pool: https://www.grandslampools.com/uncategorized/safe-
chlorine-level-for-swimming-pools/

Basic Water Properties 2 Experiment. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2017, from Scribd:
http://www.scribd.com/39166232

Chlorine Residual Testing (CDC). (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2017, from Center For
Disease Control and Prevention:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&cad=rja&
uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwichp_tntfXAhWGtpQKHVVQBToQFghWMAg&url=https%
3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fsafewater%2Fpublications_pages%2Fchlorineresidual.
pdf&usg=AOvVaw3AvOoqBBeSRdpsYeHq2bOb

Engineering Services Division, M. O. (n.d.). Drinking Water Quality Standard. Retrieved

November 6, 2017, from Drinking Water Quality Surveillance Programme,
Engineering Services Division, Ministry Of Health Malaysia:
http://kmam.moh.gov.my/public-user/drinking-water-quality-standard.html

Lab Manual. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2017, from http://i-learn.uitm.edu.my/

Morris, S. (2016, October 4). Understanding "free chlorine" versus "total chlorine" in pools.
Retrieved November 24, 2017, from Fibre Tech:
http://www.fibretechinc.com/blog/understanding-free-chlorine-versus-total-chlorine-
in-pools

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 18

13.0 APPENDIX

2 3 4 5 6
1

Figure 1 - Five Prepared Sample With Different Reagent and Blank Sample

1 Lake water Sample + Chlorine Total

2 Lake water Sample + Chlorine Free
3 Lake water Sample + Sulfate
4 Lake water Sample + Phosphorus
5 Lake water Sample + Iron
6 Blank sample

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 19

Table 2 – Engineering Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia Drinking Water Quality
Standard

DRINKING WATER
RECOMMENDED RAW
QUALITY
WATER QUALITY
STANDARDS
Parameter Group
Acceptable Value Maximum Acceptable
(mg/litre (unless Value (mg/litre (unless
otherwise stated)) otherwise stated))
Total Coliform 1 5000 MPN / 100 ml 0 in 100 ml
E.coli 1 5000 MPN / 100 m 0 in 100 m
Turbidity 1 1000 NTU 5 NTU
Color 1 300 TCU 15 TCU
pH 1 5.5 - 9.0 6.5 - 9.0
Free Residual Chlorine 1 - 0.2 - 5.0
Combined Chlorine 1 - Not Less Than 1.0
Temperature 1 - -
Clostridium perfringens (including spores) 1 - Absent
Coliform bacteria 1 - -
Colony count 22° 1 - -
Conductivity 1 - -
Enterococci 1 - -
Odour 1 - -
Taste 1 - -
Oxidisability 1 - -
Total Dissolved Solids 2 1500 1000
Chloride 2 250 250
Ammonia 2 1.5 1.5
Nitrat 2 10 10
Ferum/Iron 2 1.0 0.3
Fluoride 2 1.5 0.4 - 0.6
Hardness 2 500 500
Aluminium 2 - 0.2
Manganese 2 0.2 0.1
Chemical Oxygen Demand 2 10 -
Anionic Detergent MBAS 2 1.0 1.0
Biological Oxygen Demand 2 6 -
Nitrite 2 - -
Total organic carbon (TOC) 2 - -
Mercury 3 0.001 0.001
Cadmium 3 0.003 0.003
Arsenic 3 0.01 0.01
Cyanide 3 0.07 0.07
Plumbum/Lead 3 0.05 0.01
Chromium 3 0.05 0.05
Cuprum/Copper 3 1.0 1.0
Zinc 3 3 3
Natrium/Sodium 3 200 200

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 20

Sulphate 3 250 250
Selenium 3 0.01 0.01
Argentum 3 0.05 0.05
Magnesium 3 150 150
Mineral Oil 3 0.3 0.3
Chloroform 3 - 0.2
Bromoform 3 - 0.1
Dibromoklorometana 3 - 0.1
Bromodiklorometana 3 - 0.06
Fenol/Phenol 3 0.002 0.002
Antimony 3 - 0.005
Nickel 3 - 0.02
Dibromoacetonitrile 3 - 0.1
Dichloroacetic acid 3 - 0.05
Dichloroacetonitrile 3 - 0.09
Trichloroacetic acid 3 - 0.1
Trichloroacetonitrile 3 - 0.001
Trihalomethanes - Total 3 - 1.00
Aldrin / Dealdrin 4 0.00003 0.00003
DDT 4 0.002 0.002
Heptachlor & Heptachlor Epoxide 4 0.00003 0.00003
Methoxychlor 4 0.02 0.02
Lindane 4 0.002 0.002
Chlordane 4 0.0002 0.0002
Endosulfan 4 0.03 0.03
Hexachlorobenzena 4 0.001 0.001
1,2-dichloroethane 4 - 0.03
2,4,5-T 4 - 0.009
2,4,6-trichlorophenol 4 - 0.2
2,4-D 4 0.03 0.03
2,4-DB 4 - 0.09
2,4-dichlorophenol 4 - 0.09
Acrylamide 4 - 0.0005
Alachlor 4 - 0.02
Aldicarb 4 - 0.01
Benzene 4 - 0.01
Carbofuran 4 - 0.007
MCPA 4 - 0.002
Pendimethalin 4 - 0.02
Pentachlorophenol 4 - 0.009
Permethrin 4 - 0.02
Pesticides 4 - -
Pesticides - Total 4 - -
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons 4 - -
Propanil 4 - 0.02

Lab Report on Basic Water Properties II 21