UM RESEARCHERS AND PERSATUAN MENINGGIKAN AKHLAK CHE THAI KHOR LABIS JOHOR CONDUCT RESEARCH ON WATER QUALITY STATUS IN 6 SELECTED WATER SOURCES AROUND LABIS

In 2006, the Labis River was subjected to a serious aluminium dross dumping, which led to negative environmental and social impacts. Over 300 residents of Kampung Sungai Gatom evacuated their homes due to the emission of ammonia fumes produced from the waste. Six schools, namely SK Labis, SK Sri Labis, Sekolah Agama Labis, SMK Jalan Muar, SMK Labis and SJK(T) Labis, were afffected due to this incident. The closure of these schools had affected more than 3,000 students. The incident was widely reported in the media at the time.

Little information was available about the change of aluminium dross level in environmental matrices and the long-term effect of this pollution incident on human health, aquatic ecosystem as well as the quality of the nearby water sources. For this reason, UM and Persatuan Meninggikan Akhlak Che Thai Khor Labis Johor have formed a partnership to  analyse the water quality status of the surface water at the selected sampling points within the Labis area that were affected by the aluminium dross dumping in 2006.

According to Dr. Fathiah Mohamed Zuki, Faculty of Engineering Universiti Malaya, the partnership began in 2019 - in which UM provided expertise in water sampling analysis while Persatuan Meninggikan Akhlak Che Thai Khor Labis Johor provided funding and logistical support. Water samples from six selected water sources around Labis was taken from the upstream (Juaseh dam) to the downstream area: Sungai Juaseh, Sungai Gatom, Intersection of Sungai Gatom-Sungai Labis, Sungai Labis, and the water from a selected well.

“The water quality parameters measured in this survey includes the Water Quality Index parameters, namely the Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solid (TSS), pH, and Ammoniacal Nitrogen (AN).  In addition, turbidity, bacteria, nutrients, and heavy metal contents have also been analysed. Based on the standard Water Quality Index (WQI), the selected locations are registering WQI in  Class 2 and 3 categories,” she said.

“In general, the results indicated that the concentration values of the measured parameters are in the acceptable range. Physical and biological parameters have also presented satisfying values. The results also indicated that some chemical parameters, such as BOD, COD, and pH do have high concentrations at certain locations and needs to be periodically monitored.

“All six sample locations have aluminium content lower than the standard limit of 0.06 mg/L. This  provides some  indication that the long-term impact   from past aluminium dross dumping in the area is rather negligible.  Nevertheless, periodical samplings and analysis can be helpful to ascertain this issue,” Profesor Ir. Dr. Faridah Othman, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya said.

Relatively high concentrations of phosphorus, copper, and manganese were found at some locations;  namely Sg. Labis, Sg. Juaseh,  Sg. Gatoms, and the well water. However, based on the national water quality standards, these concentrations level is not critical and can be removed with proper treatment methods.

The findings were also summarized in the map below. The “mini heart shape” icons in the map represents the water quality of the sampled water sources within the Labis area, based on the Eco-Heart Index. This is an index that has been produced by UM researchers (UM Water Warriors) that uses the heart shape (full or broken) as symbolic representation of water quality scientific data. This provides a simpler data visualisation and communication for the community.

Eco Heart Index represent the water quality conditions of various water resources in Labis area (Empangan Juaseh, Suangai Juaseh, Sungai Labis, Sungai Gatom and the intersection).

Findings from the study has led to the following recommendations for the community of Labis:

• The community is advised not to consume water directly from the river and the well water due to the relatively high COD, BOD, and some metal contents. However, the non-potable usage such as cleaning, watering, and planting purposes may be utilised.  
• In order to enhance the long-term quality of water resources in Labis, periodic testing and monitoring can be conducted by the community with support from relevant partners. For instance, a partner like UM can further collaborate with Persatuan Meninggikan Akhlak Che Thai Khor to initiate a citizen science-based monitoring programme to promote both community and stakeholder participation in water quality monitoring and to increase awareness on water conservation.

The UM’s research team is led by Dr. Fathiah Mohamed Zuki and supported by Prof. Ir. Dr. Faridah Othman, Associate Prof. Dr. Ng Boon Kwee and Associate Prof. Dr. Zeeda Fatimah. This project is an example of UM’s commitment in supporting local community, especially in the spirit of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). More specifically, it exhibits how researchers in Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Science, UM able reach out to local community in forging a more impactful and meaningful university-community collaboration in localising SDG6 (Clean water and sanitation), SDG 3 (Good health and wellbeing) and SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities)