Nitrate and Phosphate Contents and Quality of well water in North-Eastern Districts of Kelantan

Noor Wahida Mahasim, and Ahmad Saat, and Zaini Hamzah, and Rita Rohaizah Sohari, and Khaniza Hasliza Abdil Khali, Nitrate and Phosphate Contents and Quality of well water in North-Eastern Districts of Kelantan. In: Simposium Sains Analisis Malaysia ke-18 (SKAM18), 12-14 September 2005, Johor Bharu, Malaysia. (Unpublished)

Affiliations

Universiti Teknologi MARA, Faculty of Applied Sciences
Universiti Teknologi MARA. INTEC
Universiti Teknologi MARA, Faculty of Applied Sciences
Universiti Teknologi MARA. INTEC
Universiti Teknologi MARA, INTEC

Abstract

In the north-eastern district of state of Kelantan almost 40% of the populations are still relying on well water for their domestic uses and consumption. Generally, the wells are located within the vicinity of agricultural activities, such as tobacco, paddy, rubber plantation and orchards. There is possibility that the activities, especially related to application of chemical fertilizers, may pollute the well either through runoff or underground transportation. A study was carried out on fifteen wells in the district of Bachok, Pasir Puteh and Machang to determine the well water quality as well as the nitrate and phosphate contents of the water samples. The sampling was done twice, one in early October 2004 (representing dry season sampling), and the end of January 2005 (representing rainy season sampling). Data for turbidity, temperature, DO, and pH were determined in-situ, while the nitrate and phosphate contents, BOD and COD were determined in laboratory. Water Quality Index (WQI) of the samples was determined based on the method suggested by the Interim Water Quality Standard (INWQS) for Malaysia. The study found that nitrate contents ranged between 0.01 to 2.42 mg/L in rainy season and between non detectable to 0.3 mg/L in dry season. The corresponding phosphate contents for rainy and dry seasons are ranging between 0 – 2.2 mg/L and 0.5 – 1.5 mg/L respectively. In general, WQI of all the wells studied fall into class III or IV. However, WQI values of all the wells improved (increased) in wet season as compared to dry season. Based on the INWQS, these classes of water required extensive treatment before being regarded as suitable for public water supply.

Item Type:

Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Additional Information:

The authors wish to thanks IRDC of UiTM for providing the research grant for the study (Grant No.: 600-IRDC/ST 5/3/938).

Keywords:

Well-water, WQI, phosphate, nitrate

Subjects:

Q Science, Computer Science

ID Code:

2269