Wet market wastewater regulatory framework in Malaysia

Abstract

Wet markets are built by local government for residents to purchase their daily necessities and raw food. Many activities at the market produce large quantity of wastewater daily which adversely impacts the environment, particularly in the forms of odor pollution and water pollution as well as waterborne diseases. These problems are aggravated when there are no specific regulations to control the discharge. This study was conducted to assess the level of wastewater contamination in wet markets, propose the most effective treatment system and develop a wet market wastewater regulatory framework. In this study, wastewater from seven wet markets in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Melaka were analyzed to examine the discharge loading from the wet markets. The results from these samples were analyzed using Malaysian Sewerage Industry Guidelines (MSIG), to determine the best option of a wastewater treatment system. Interview and surveys were carried out to identify the best option for wastewater treatment. Results showed that the evaluated wastewater has exceeded the minimum requirements for Sewage Regulations 2009. Based on the MSIG approach, interview and survey, the best option for a wet market wastewater treatment system is the system with nine criteria comprising primary screen, sewage pump station, secondary screen, balancing tank, primary clarifier, biological system, final clarifier and finally disinfection stages. Results from the initial research were then used to develop the Wet Market Wastewater Regulatory Framework. In addition, questionnaire and interview were conducted with 30 selected respondents from government enforcement agencies, as well as interviews with officers from the Ministry For The Environment, New Zealand. The findings showed that the wet market Wastewater Regulatory Framework should includes six phases comprising quality inspection of effluent, check against regulatory standard, installation and maintenance of treatment system, processing, enforcement and regulations. In conclusion, it is recommended that wet markets in Malaysia adopt the framework for wastewater management to sustain the environment.