Characteristics of the effluent wastewater in sewage treatment plants of Malaysian Urban Areas

Abstract

Recently, a lot ofdomestic wastewater is being generateddue to therise in the population in most urban areas in Malaysia. Thisimplies that more contaminations are being producedwhich are likely to affect human health. The purpose of this research was to analyzethe level of contaminants in the final treated wastewater from the sewage treatment plants in Malaysian urban areas and compare it with Malaysian standard A and B effluent discharged. The specimens used for the analysis were obtainedfrom three wastewatersewage treatment plants in Johor (A), Kuala Lumpur (B), and Penang(C). Specimens were examined usingchemical oxygen demand (COD) Vials, Nitrate Nitrogen ammonia vial, and total Phosphorus vial. The Hach DR 5000 UV-V Laboratory Spectrophotometer was used to measure the amount of COD, Nitrate, Nitrate, and Phosphorus. Also, the pH, turbidity, and BOD5 were done utilizingdissolved Oxygen machine and Lovibond Turbidity Meters. The level of BOD, COD weretreated well and discharged according to the used standards. The findings revealed that phosphorus in plant c with 12 mg/Lin February, Nitrate in plant A 22 mg/Lin January, Nitrite in plant A with 18.2 mg/Lin February, 19.4 mg/Lin February in plant B and16 mg/Lin February were found little greater than the prescribed effluent standard of Malaysian wastewater.It was recommendedthat the final treated water should be frequently and thoroughly treatedfor the purpose of reusingit for secondary intent. This study has importantimplications forprotecting human health and the environment by identifying the effluent sewer treatment plant that has no proper treatment capability to produce water that is fit for domestic and irrigation purpose.