SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN BACHELOR OF QUANTITY SURVEYING (HONOURS)

BUILDING SERVICES 1 (BLD 60403)

WATER TREATMENT FOR DOMESTIC WATER SUPPLIES

NAME STUDENT ID

PHON KIT POI 0328435

LIEU XUE QI 0327523

SEW YUE LING 0327032

HONG LI VIAN 0327007

LEE LIN HUI 0322797

FONG KAH YAN 0322815

1

CONTENT PAGE

Introduction 3-4

Management System 5-11

Installation Process 12-28

The Advantages and Disadvantages 29-30

Possible Problems to the System 31-33

Case Study 34-37

Recommendations for the Future Improvement 38-41

Learning from the Group Work Project 42-43

References 44-45

2

INTRODUCTION Water Treatment for Domestic Water Supplies is the topic that we had chosen for our Building

Services 1 assignment. This topic is talking about the process of contaminated water that had to

treated into a drinkable and useable water. All living things need water to survive. Once the

surface water and groundwater are contaminated, we have to provide water treatment to ensure

the water is clean and safe for drinking purpose. Poor quality of water can cause health problem

to the living organisms. Water can consider as one of the main resource in the Earth. At the

same time, water is reuse over and over again and this process is name as water cycle.

The water cycle explain the movement of water in the Earth through the surface of the earth or

rises into the atmosphere. While the sun rise up, the temperature of the earth will increase. So

the water will evaporate .While the water cool down, it will form clouds. When the cloud get

heavier, it will drop on the ground as rain or snow. Snow will be melt while the temperature get

warmer and the liquid will flow into lakes and rivers.

Due to the water cycle process, we know that the amount of water is always remain the same.

From a research tell us that about 97% is sea water and only 3% is the freshwater in lakes and

rivers. Unfortunately, the 3% of water may contaminated by pollution or human activities.

3

Therefore, we have to go through a process called water treatment. This process will makes

water become more acceptable to utilize. In this treatments process, the impurities or solid

compound will be remove from the water. The aim of water treatment is to render the water safe

and clean and to ensure the treated water quality meets the drinking water requirement and

reduce the percentage of these impurities to a level which will not harm us. Untreated water will

cause infectious diseases, which may cause epidemics and can be fatal. The types of treatment

required depends on the characteristics of the untreated water. For the raw water can purified

by some steps as shown below:

In addition, they have several steps to go through such as screening, aeration, coagulation and

flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection. The water sources can divided into two

categories, surface sources and underground sources. Surface sources are lakes, rivers and

reservoirs. Underground sources are shallow and deep well.

4

WATER TREATMENT PROCESSThe major process of water treatment includes intake, screening, aeration, coagulation,

flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection and distribution.

Intake

Clean and safe water is essential to our daily life. Water is essential for healthiness, cleanliness

and the productivity of our community. However, how do we get the water? Raw water is

obtained from the river, lake or reservoir through pumps. At this stage, those big and large

objects such as wood, leaves, algae, fish and other objectionable suspended matter are

prevented from entering the intake with the water. Intake can be classified into three categories.

The following table shows the details.

Category 1

5

Submerged intake It is constructed entirely under water and also commonly used

to obtain water from lakes.

Exposed intake It is in the form of oil or tower constructed near the river bank

and are more common due to the ease of operation.

Category 2

Wet intake The water level in the tower is same as the level of the water

supply sources. 

Dry intake Water enter the port directly into the conveying pipes in case

there is no water in the water tower.

Category 3

River intake It may located inside the river or near the river bank where it

reaches the required depth of water to prevent where there is

shortage of water.

Reservoir intake It is similar to river intake, a dam is constructed across it to store

water in the reservoir when the flow of river is not guaranteed

throughout the year.

Lake intake It is constructed in the bed of the lake as to draw water during

dry season.

Canal intake It is located in the bank of canal and it is used in small town as

an irrigation canal. In Malaysia, Sungai Perak obtained

untreated water supply. Untreated water is pumped from the

river and it will go through some stages of the treatment process

before being offered for domestic water and consumption.

Screening

Screening is the first treatment station. Screen is a device with openings that use to filter the

water by removing and blocking the larger particles that carried by the water. At this stage,

floating objects and other suspended material are removed from the water. There are three

types of screens: Coarse screen, Fine screen and Microstrainer. Coarse screen is to prevent

large objects from entering the conveyance system. Fine screen normally fits after the coarse

screens to remove smaller objects that may cause operation and maintenance to the system.

6

Very fine suspended matter such as algae and plankton are removed from the fabric by high

pressure water jets through Microstrainer screen.

Aeration

A device called aerator is used in this process. This is the process that brings air and other

gases in contact with water in order to remove dissolved gases and metals such as carbon

dioxide, iron and manganese in an aeration tank. There are two methods of aeration. Water-fall

aerator is a method of aeration and it is most common used in industry. Gas transfer by causing

the water to break into drops of thin films. Air is diffused into a vessel containing counter-current

flowing water through air diffusion aerator.

 

Coagulation

Generally, coagulation is a procedure to form a “floc” by attracting small particles in water. The

main purpose of this stage is to increase the settling velocity for the functions of water filtration

and purification. Sometimes, coagulant-aid is used to enhance the procedure of the primary

coagulant.

In this process, a chemical such as liquid aluminium sulfate also called alum and/or polymer

which produces positive charges to counteract the negative charges on the particles is added to

untreated water during coagulation. Then and there the particles cling together and forming

bigger particles which are more easily removed.

7

Flocculation

After rapid mixing, the particles are under a neutral charge and can be clung together. After that,

the water flows into the flocculation tank. The flow of water is slowed and brings the small

particles together to form heavier particles in the tank with paddles. Mixing is made quite slowly

and moderately during the flocculation step. If the mixing is too fast, the flocs will break apart

into small particles and will occur the problem that difficult to remove in sedimentation or

filtration. Under most situations, a flocculant is essential to begin the flocculation process. The

most common flocculants are calcium, aluminum, iron, and magnesium. When ‘flocs’ are fully

formed, they can be entirely removed through the process of filtration.

Sedimentation

Before the process of coagulation, sedimentation is used to reduce the concentration of

particles in suspension and also to decrease the sum of coagulating chemicals required. After

the process of flocculation, the water flows into sedimentation tanks where the water moves

8

gently and the heavier and larger floc particles to settle to the bottom and are removed as well

as the clear water moves off the top of the filtration chamber. Floc which is collected from the

bottom of the tanks is called sludge and it is piped to drying lagoons. Small particles settle more

gently than larger particles. It would take a long period of time for all of the particles to settle out

and that would mean we would need a massive sedimentation tanks. Thus the clear water with

most of the particles removed moves off the top to the filtration chamber.

Filtration

After that, the water flows into the filtration apparatus made of layers of sand which does the

filtering, gravel which possess the sand from getting out and an underdrain where the crystal

clear water exits to remove particles in the water. After the filter is managed for a moment, the

sand becomes clogged with particles when water flows through the sand filter and must be

backwashed. Flow through the filter is reversed as well as the sand and particles are

suspended. The particles rise up and are flushed from the system because they are lighter than

sand. Crystal clear water that has been filtered will be received by the pipes underneath the

sand. When backwashing is completed, the sand settles down onto the gravel, flow is reversed

and the process begins again. Filtration gathers the suspended contaminations in water and

gets rid of any remaining microscopic particles and microorganisms as well as increases the

effectiveness of disinfection.

9

Disinfection

Last but not least, the water with particles removed is disinfected in order to protect it against

bacteria so that no pathogens remain in the water. Clear water flows into the clear water tank

where enough chlorine is added so that some residues are allowed to go out in the water

distribution system which makes it safe to drink and to protect the public after the water departs

from the plant. Chlorine can kill germs and microorganisms and it is a very effective disinfectant

and the remaining concentrations can be retained to guard against possible biological

contamination in the water distribution system.

10

Distribution

Finally, water is pumped from the clear water tank into reservoir or a closed tank where it flows

through pipes to homes. Pumping of the clean water produced at the process of water treatment

to the community is known as distribution. This can be done directly or by firstly pumping the

water to water storage tanks or reservoir. The water can flow down because of gravity to the

people if it is stored on a hill.

11

WATER SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION

The purpose of water distribution system is to deliver water to consumer from the water

treatment plant to storage then to the house. There are two types of water treatment system in

house. They can improve the overall taste, smell and appearance of water, remove chemicals

and minerals.

Point-of-use systems: Installed on a single tap and treat for drinking and cooking water only.

Most common is reverse osmosis system.

Point-of-entry systems: Installed on the main water supply line, treat the whole house water.

Most common is water softener and water filter.

Point-of-use system and point-of-entry system can work together to meet the requirement of

water needed.

Advantages of these systems:

I. No chemicals are added into water.

II. The process is not affected by ammonia and pH.

12

13

Water Pipes Distribution

Water pipes is a pipeline to deliver water to house.

The distribution pipes basically are laid below the road pavements, and there are four different

types of pipe network.

Grid-iron system

It is suitable for cities with rectangular layout.

Ring system

The water main supply is laid all along the peripheral roads and the sub mains branch out of the

mains. The water flow is similar to grid system but the character is same as the dead end

system.

14

Radial system

The area is divided into different zones. The reservoir is at the middle of the zone and the water

is pumped from it. The sub main water pipes are distributed around the reservoir.

Dead end system

It is suitable for old towns and cities having no different pattern of roads.

15

Method of Water Distribution

Depending on the level of the source, water is supplied by different type of pressurized

distribution system.

Gravity system

It is suitable to use when the source is at sufficient height. It is the most economical distribution

system.

Pumping system

It also called pumping without storage system, high lift pumps are required.

16

Combined gravity and pumping system

Most common system, treated water is pumped and stored in an elevated reservoir and supply

by action of gravity.

Distribution Reservoir

It is used to store the treated water for emergency used. There are two types of reservoirs.

Surface reservoirs: It is also called ground reservoir. It is in rectangular or circular shape. It is

commonly used in large areas of city. It is constructed at high natural ground.

Elevated reservoirs: it is used when the area of the city is not suitable for under gravity. It is

economical than surface reservoir because of reduce pumping requirements. It is in rectangular,

circular and elliptical shape.

17

Material Used for Piping

Ductile cast iron pipe

Gray cast iron pipe

Asbestos pipe

Steel pipe

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe

Concrete pipe

Material Advantages Disadvantages

Ductile cast iron pipe Long life span Resist bending and

twisting without breaking

Heavy Easily to corrode

Gray cast iron pipe High level of stability Resistant to corrosion

Low tensile strength Brittle

Asbestos pipe High tensile strength Light weight Easy to handle

Difficult to locate when buried

Low flexural strength

Steel pipe High tensile strength Lighter than ductile iron or

concrete pipe

Subjective to corrosion Require maintenance

PVC pipe Inexpensive Corrosion free Wide range of sizes

Strength affected by sunlight

Require special bedding

Concrete pipe

Easy to installed Low maintenance Less expensive than

others pipe

Heavy May deteriorate in

corrosive soils

18

Connecting Pipes in House

Communication pipe

Pipe from water main or other source of portable water supply to the water distribution system.

Distribution pipe

A pipe which convey water from the water service pipe or meter to the point of utilization.

Riser

Water supply pipe that convey water to branches or to a group of fixtures.

Fixture branch

Water supply pipe between the fixture supply pipe and the water distributing pipe.

Fixture supply pipe

Water supply pipe connecting the fixture with the fixture branch.

19

Water Supply to Residential Building

Indirect system

Direct system

20

Water Filtration System

Water filtration system work to remove the chemicals and impurities in water. It is to provide

clean and clear water for drinking, shower and washing.

21

Installation of water filter:

Step 1: Turn off water supply

Turn off the water supply, then turn on a faucet to release pressure and drain he water from the

system at the lower point in the house.

Step 2: Choose a location for filter

You need to choose a suitable location for the installation of water filter. Choose a place that is

near the shutoff value.

Step 3: Cut the pipe

Use a pen to mark down the location that had selected to install the water filter on the pipe. Use

a pipe cutter to make two cuts on the selected section and remove it. Place a bucket

underneath to catch the remaining water. Clean the just-cut pipe with emery cloth so that we

won’t be cutting off.

Step 4: Attach the fittings

Place a compression nut, small end first, on one of the cut pipe ends. Wrap Teflon tape around

the thread of the outlet fitting then tighten it. Screw an adapter in to the inlet of the filter. Wrap

Teflon tape around the threaded fitting on the other side. Then tighten it with a piers and pipe

wrench.

Step 5: Mount filter bracket

Pick a location to install the filter mounting bracket. Mark, measure and cut it to the require

length. Use a lag bolts supplied with the mounting board.

Step 6: Position the filter

Ensure that all the filter fittings is connected and tighten. Fasten it to the mounting bracket by

using lag bolts. Do not over tighten. The mounting bracket can be adjusted as needed. The

filter need to be install in a proper way, if not it won’t function. The “in” port should be connected

to the end closer to the water meter, the “out” port should be point toward to water heater.

Step 7: Turn on water supply

Turn the water supply on once the filter had positioned. Open both valves. Check the filter for

leaks. If you detect leaks at the filter housing, tighten it until dripping stops.

22

The most common type of water filter system include

Ion exchange

Activated carbon

Reverse osmosis

Ultra-violet sterilization

Ion Exchange

Ion exchange also called water softening, obviously it is use to soften the water. A common

problem that exist in our water supplies is hard water that contain magnesium and calcium ion.

This systems is to soften the hard water by replacing the magnesium and calcium ions to

sodium ions.

Process:

Hard water enter the water softener. Magnesium and calcium ions are attracted to the tiny

beads. Sodium ions on the exchange resin replace the magnesium and calcium ions. Once the

beads are saturated with magnesium and calcium ions, it will enter a 3 phase cycle.

23

First is the backwash cycle, it is to remove dirt from the water.

In the recharge phase, the concentrated sodium rich salt solution is carried from the brine tank

to the softener tank. The sodium ions collect at the beads replace the calcium and magnesium

ions.

The final phase is rinse cycle, the softener tank is rinse with fresh water and the brine tank is

refilled. And is ready for the next cycle.

Installation of water softener:

Step 1: Turn off the water supply, turn on all the faucet in house to drain the water lines.

Step 2: Mark down the water pipe where you want to install the pipe of water softener

Step 3: Cut the water pipe by using a pipe cutter

Step 4: Clean the pipe ends with emery cloth

Step 5: Position the water softener

Step 6: Make the pipe connection from main water pipe to the pipe of water softener

Step 7: Welded the pipe together

Step 8: Attach a discharge pipe to water softener near the drain and run it to the drain

Step 9: Fill the tank with salt

Step 10: Turn on the water supply and check for the leaks

24

Activated Carbon

Activated carbon filters absorb impurities from water through the carbon cartridge. This process

is called adsorption. Basically it is used to reduce unwanted taste, odour and chemicals in the

water. Activated carbon also can reduce radon gas and residual chlorine. Carbon filters will not

remove or reduce major chemicals.

There are four types of activated carbon filters:

Faucet-mounted: Attach to the faucet where drinking water comes out

In-line: Installed beneath the kitchen sink

Line bypass: Attach to the cold water pipe, install a separate faucet at the sink in kitchen for

cooking and drinking

Point of entry: Treat all the water in the house

25

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis is a process that reduces suspended and dissolved matter such as salts,

bacteria and organic compounds from water. It is a process that the water flow from high

concentration of solute to low concentration of solute. Mechanical filters and activated carbon

filters are always used with reverse osmosis unit.

26

Process:

Reverse osmosis is the reverse process of osmosis. It used a membrane under high pressure to

obtain clean water. The microscopic holes allow water to flow through. If enough of pressure is

exerted on the concentrated side, the flow of water will be reversed. As the concentrated

solution enters the reverse osmosis membrane, the salts and contaminants are not allow to

pass through and is discharge to the reject stream. The water that pass through the membrane

is called permeate water.

27

Ultra-violet system

This is a system using ultraviolet light to kill the microorganisms in the water. This is a non-

chemical method to destroy the microorganisms in water so it is safe for drinking and cooking.

There are three different wavelength of ultraviolet system

Long-wavelength ultraviolet: Wavelength range 3250 to 3900 Angstrom, occur naturally in

sunlight.

Middle-wave ultraviolet: Wavelength range 2950 to 3250 Angstrom, occur naturally in sunlight.

Short-wave ultraviolet: Wavelength range 2000 to 2950 Angstrom, does not occur naturally in

Earth’s surface.

Process:

A special lamp is used to emit the UV light into the water. UV light has the ability to disrupt the

DNA/RNA of microorganisms. The frequency used to kill the microorganisms is 254 nm. When

the water pass through the UV system, the microorganisms in water are attack by the UV light

and the genetic code are rearrange and the microorganisms had malfunction. It cannot replicate

and reproduce, therefore the amount of microorganism will reduce and remove.

28

Advantages of UV system

I. Cost effective

II. Clean

III. Environmentally friendly

IV. Chemical free

29

Nowadays, most of the households especially those living in the urban area relies on water

treatment process to receive clean water which is important for their daily activities. Water

treatment is a process that water passes through several stages before the clean water can be

supplied to the domestic water tap. It is undeniable that water treatment process for domestic

supply really brings a lot of benefits to the society but it also has its bad side.

ADVANTAGESi) Clean and mineral-rich water

Water treatment process can provide us clean and mineral-rich water. The process helps to

remove harmful microorganisms like copper and magnesium which can cause diarrhea,

vomiting and even death, so that the water sources safe for us to drink. However, it keeps the

natural elements in the water such as minerals which are vital for our body health.

ii) Convenient

Everyone can easily get clean water once they turn on the fixture water supply pipe that had

been installed in their houses as the water supply company delivers water to housing area with

the main public service pipe. They don’t need to get water from the well, river or lake.

iii) Control of water quality

Water of good quality is guaranteed as the water goes through a series of water treatment

processes. Large pieces of contaminants in the untreated water from reservoir are screened

before they are diverted into treatment plant while smaller contaminants are removed at the

other stages. Chlorine is also added to kill bacteria and microorganisms. Therefore,

contaminants like suspended solids, chemical substances, fine particles and other impurities

which give adverse effects to our health can be removed. The final product is safe for us to

carry out our daily activities.

iv) Less risk of being without supply

Water is pumped to a huge storage tank which is normally elevated after all the treatment

processes. The purpose of storing water in a tank is to ensure that the water supply is enough

to accommodate the demand present high population. Storing water in elevated tank also has

the benefit of creating high flow rate in the water distribution system.

30

DISADVANTAGESi) High expenses

To completely make the water clean, there are five processes which are coagulation,

flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection that the water has to go through. Many of

the water treatment plants for those processes can be very expensive to purchase as well as

the installation fees. Skilled labours are needed for frequent monitoring also. Coagulation is a

process that alum and other chemicals are added, these coagulant can effectively remove dirt

particles and viruses by forming tiny sticky particles called floc. Chlorine and fluoride are also

added in the filtration process. All the chemicals are another reason that causes the expenses

to increase.

ii) Regular cleaning and maintenance needed

Problem like blockage always happen due to the sedimentation of silt, sand and other dirt

particles in the untreated water to the bottom of the water treatment plants. Other than that,

moss or lichen is likely to grow on the wall of those water treatment plants when they are

exposed to the sunlight. Thus, frequent cleaning and maintenance is a must.

iii) Risk of water pollution

If there is any dangerous chemical from the nearby factory accidentally enter into the river, the

water in the following water treatment plants will be affected as well. Thus, many residential

areas will experience water disruption as the water in the tank is polluted and cannot be used. It

needs to take a long time for the workers to remove the chemical and clean the water again.

31

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS TO THE SYSTEM Three general categories, physical, biological and chemical can describe water quality. The

effects on water quality in each category are described below.

1. Physical

Problem: Taste and Odor

Taste and odour can affect the quality of water by tainting certain foods and vegetables and by

reducing the palatability of foods cooked in water. The main sources of odour- and taste-bearing

substances are harmless organic materials like iron bacteria, and certain inorganic chemical

constituents such as hydrogen sulphide.

Hydrogen sulphide is the primary cause for the "rotten egg" taste and odour in water. Hydrogen

sulphide is derived from the decomposition of organic matter or sewage.

Besides, acidic (low pH) water can leach copper out of pipes causing a metallic taste. An odour

problem may occur with the presence of iron bacteria, which may cause a musty or swampy

smell in the water.

These problems can be solved by eliminating the substances that cause the problem.

Treatment techniques such as activated carbon filtration and/or oxidation using chlorination,

potassium permanganate, ozonation or ventilation.

Problem: Turbidity and Colour

Turbidity is a visual haziness in water caused by the presence of insoluble suspended particles.

Discoloured water may contain substances such as organic compounds derived from the decay

of plant and animal matter. Other than that, discoloured water may contain certain metallic ions,

such as iron and manganese, causes the water looks yellowish, brown or red after contact with

air or heat.

Treatments for turbidity and colour usually involve settling or filtration.

32

2. Biological

Problem: Pathogenic Organisms

Pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms occurring in water range from ultra-small viruses to

microscopic bacteria to relatively large protozoa. Bacteriologic and protozoan pathogens can

cause typhoid, dysentery, cholera, and some types of gastroenteritis. Viruses can cause human

maladies including polio, infectious hepatitis, and some forms of gastroenteritis.

A chemical disinfectant should be effective on many types of pathogens regardless of their

quantity and it should be able to kill all pathogens within a reasonable contact time. The

chemical should also be safe and easy to handle and it should not make the water toxic or

unpalatable.

In addition, the concentration of disinfectant in the water should be easy to monitor and the

disinfection should provide residual protection against possible recontamination.

3. Chemical

Problem: Hardness

Hardness, which is very common in water supplies, is caused by calcium and magnesium in

water. Hardness at a moderate level (3 to 7 grains per gallon [gpg] or 50 to 120 milligrams per

liter [mg/L]) may be beneficial because water becomes acidic at low hardness levels, which may

cause plumbing corrosion or leaching of lead from soldered plumbing joints into the drinking

water.

Hard water is disadvantageous because soap does not clean efficiently and may leave an

insoluble curd on bathtubs, sinks, clothing, and skin. Hard water also deposits a scale inside

pipes, boilers, and hot water tanks, reducing their capacity and heat-transfer properties.

The condition is commonly treated with water softeners.

Problem: Iron

Iron compounds, common in rocks and soil, are easily dissolved in water, particularly acidic

water. The earth's crust is a major source of iron; hence, iron mainly exists in many ground

33

water supplies. Water that contains iron can cause corroding metal in pipes, pumps, and other

water-related fixtures. It may also leave iron stains on sinks, tubs, showers and other water

using appliances that makes water smell bad.

A water-test can determine how much iron is present in the water pipes and types of iron it is.

Problem: Radon

Radon is a colourless, odourless and tasteless radioactive gas. It is formed during the decay of

naturally occurring minerals containing radioactive elements such as uranium. Radon gas may

enter a home through two primary pathways: cracks in the foundation and release from the

water supply used inside the home.

Radon in water is commonly treated through ventilation.

Problem: Industrial Chemicals

This is a general term for a broad range of hazardous or regulated substances and waste

products that are not naturally occurring. They may end up in the ground water supply if they

are improperly handled.

A few examples of these types of materials include organic compounds (e.g., benzene, MTBE),

heavy metals (e.g., cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, etc.), pesticides and herbicides,

polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), petroleum hydrocarbon fuels, and polycyclic aromatic

hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Treatment methods may include activated carbon filtration, ion-exchange, neutralization and

others.

34

CASE STUDY

SYARIKAT BEKALAN AIR SELANGOR SDN. BHD.

History of SYABAS

Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (SYABAS) is a water supply company that supply water

to Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Currently Tan Sri Rozali Ismail is the CEO of

SYABAS. This company is a backup of Puncak Niaga Holdings Berhad (PNHB) was

consolidated on eighth of July 1996 under the Malaysian Companies Act, 1965 to embrace the

privatization of water supply benefits in the State of Selangor and the Federal Territories of

Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. SYABAS' key business is to give quality administrations to the

purchasers. In this manner, it endeavours to address the issues and requests of its customers

all together to guarantee that the administrations gave are of most elevated standard.

The administrations incorporate providing continuous clean water to shoppers and separated

from that, SYABAS performs periodical and standard support of foundation and water-related

resources, for example, supplanting maturing funnels and water meters. SYABAS likewise does

35

its part in CSR exercises through different projects to make customer mindfulness on water-

related issues to guarantee the standard personal satisfaction is supported.

Management of SYABAS

SYABAS has invested millions in its Information Communication Technology (ICT) so that the

services that provided by them can meet the present requirement and quality that meets the

international acceptance standards. They ensure their critical departments and personnel are

equipped with advanced technology to meet and if possible exceed, the increasing complex

demand of its consumers in terms of turnaround reaction time as well as providing solution to

resolve every single incoming problems.

Computer Data Centre Redundancy Infrastructure that is equipped with fault-tolerance high

availability system is another system that is developed and deployed by SYABAS. Their

frameworks and PC servers are upheld by the Data Centre’s fiber optics so that their systems

are always up and running 24 hours without failed, which in turn enable the Data Centre to

resolve future computer catastrophe involving loss of information and operation down-time.

SYABAS also has VPN Network Infrastructure that runs on 1.5 mega-bits per second bandwidth

speed that can connect all district offices with the HQ for a better work correspondence and

synchronization.

SWIMS which stands for SYABAS Water Management Information System is a computerised

framework that is deployed by SYABAS, the purpose of SWIMS is to support Company’s

business strategies and to centralise the computer system with integrated architectural design.

SWIMS has three major management systems which are integrated that comprised other

components apart from GIS mapping system. They are SCADA/Telemetry; Network modelling,

Water Quality, Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and Operation and Maintenance systems which are

under Engineering systems. Commercial systems that comprise Billing and Collection system,

Customer Service and Development Plan approval systems while Support systems comprise

Procurement, Accounting, Store Inventory, Human Resource & Administration and Enforcement

& Legal systems.

After SYABAS took over the water treatment system, they collected maps and asset information

from Districts and various Departments which were not centralized. Most of them are paper-

intensive documents, centralized mapping in a digital and database format was non-existent.

36

SYABAS first started to carry out a GIS-based (Geographical Information System) mapping and

water distribution asset registration system. GIS-based system is used to facilitate asset

inventories and asset management and assist in the planning and expansion of the water

supply system to meet rapid development in the state. It also helps to improve the efficiency and

effectiveness of the operational control and management of the complex water distribution with

centralized information on the water distribution system.

The SWIMS framework focuses on five major SYABAS Value Chain management process.

The 5 management processes are:

1. Supporting process: that comprises Finance, Administration, Legal, and Human

Resource, procurement, technology and R&D Management

2. Process Management: that comprises Program and Project & Contract Management.

3. Core Business Process: that comprises Supply, Operations & Maintenance, Billing &

Collections, Development Plan Approval and Customer Service

4. Quality Management: that comprises Training and Client Charter Compliance

Management

5. Product Information: that comprises Distribution Infrastructure Assets.

Water Quality of SYABAS

1. Quality Assurance Programme by Ministry of Health (MOH)

When SYABAS took over in 2005, water quality becomes more clean and safe to drink. The

water supplied by SYABAS is comply by the “National Standard For Drinking Water Quality”

(NSDWQ) issued by the Ministry of Health (MOH). Water quality of SYABAS is monitored by

MOH and is testing under its Quality Assurance Programme (QAP).

To ensure water quality, MOH collect an average 1000 water supplies throughout Kuala

Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya. From year 2010 to year 2014, the water quality of SYABAS is

recorded by MOH. The water quality is 100% complied with the Mandatory Level of Service

(MLS).

37

2. In-House Water Quality Assessment

From June 2006, SYABAS has started the in-house Water Quality Testing Programme. The

personnel from Districts’ Water Quality Units had collected some samples and sent to third party

for microbiological and chemical analysis.

From year 2010 to year 2014, the water quality is 100% complied with the Mandatory Level of

Service (MLS).

Responsibility of SYABAS

I. Supply treated, quality and clean water to consumers

II. Provide periodical and regular maintenance of replacing aging pipes and water meters.

III. Promotes consumer awareness on water-related issues

IV. Provide convenient payment method to consumer

38

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE WATER TREATMENT PROCESS IMPROVEMENT

Healthy Natural Systems

A. Healthy natural systems are essential for human and environmental well-being and

economic prosperity. Diligently inform citizens about potential health effects of water

resource problems. The state should monitor and report accurate information on water

quality issues affecting public health, making such information promptly available via

print and electronic media and at places where the public regularly uses the waters of

the state or seeks information about those waters. Local emergency responders must

also receive timely information about water quality threats.

B. Adopt and implement a final in stream flow policy that protects natural seasonal flow

patterns. The state should adopt a final in stream flow policy that restores, maintains,

and preserves natural seasonal flow patterns for streams and rivers. The finalized flow

policy should minimize the biological disruption caused by barriers to flow for all waters

— for water quality, ecology, and economic benefits, including recreation. The final

policy should be science-based, protective of in stream needs, and should account for

seasonal flow variations. Until a final policy is developed, site-specific in stream flow

studies should be required of all new projects including reservoirs that have the potential

to significantly alter natural stream flow. The results of these studies should be used to

establish flow requirements downstream of such projects.

C. The low flows in the river’s system in west central and southwest Malaysia illustrate the

result of the current lack of protections for minimum flows in many rivers throughout

Malaysia. Though recent droughts have garnered headlines for their intensity and

economic effects, current water withdrawal levels are forcing many waterways into a

permanent drought state, even when rainfalls are at normal levels. In addition to that,

other rivers throughout Malaysia exhibit a downward trend in flow level. While climate

change (as evidenced by shifts in rainfall patterns) may explain some of this result, over

39

permitting of water withdrawals from these economically valuable and diverse river and

creek systems, and systematic lack of returns, is the major cause.

D. Protect Malaysia’s remaining free-flowing streams and river segments from dams.

Malaysia’s remaining free-flowing streams and stream segments are vital for people and

wildlife of Malaysia. Therefore, the state should consider the construction of reservoirs

and dams only as a last resort for water supply. When evaluating whether to construct

new reservoirs and dams, the state should first consider water conservation and

efficiency, as well as optimizing operations of existing impoundments and expansion of

existing reservoirs in order to minimize further impacts to rivers and streams. Malaysia

should prohibit the construction of water supply reservoirs for private uses such as

amenity lakes for residential developments. EPD should promptly initiate rulemaking on

reservoir permitting that was outlined in the 2008 Comprehensive State-wide Water

Management Plan. Furthermore, a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement

should be prepared for every new reservoir project in Malaysia.

E. Minimize the adverse impacts of power plants on Malaysia’s waters. Coal-fired and

nuclear power plants withdraw and consume significant amounts of water from our

waterways and are the largest water-use sector in the state. Water that is not lost

through evaporation is heated and discharged back into streams, resulting in warmer,

oxygen-depleted water that harms ecosystems. Power plants emit mercury, sulfur

dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and other toxins, which are deposited in our streams and

consumed by the fish and shellfish which many people eat. Residue coal ash ponds leak

harmful toxins into our waterways and pose significant risk. The state should enact and

enforce protective coal ash disposal regulations. Additionally, new energy supply options

or technologies that are less water intensive should be researched and developed

before new water intensive power plants are permitted. Old, inefficient, dirty power

plants in Malaysia should be retired, and water budgets should be established and made

public for all thermoelectric plants.

40

F. Protect and restore groundwater resources and aquifer recharge areas. The state must

protect and restore groundwater resources, including significant recharge areas,

concentrated recharge areas, and aquifers, by increasing legal and regulatory

protections and enforcing existing laws and regulations. The state should broaden

restrictions on land activities above aquifer recharge areas. We cannot allow

contaminants to enter aquifers through these areas. The state should expand its

monitoring and assessment of groundwater resources throughout the state, and should

specifically focus on increasing our understanding of the relationship between

groundwater and surface water. The state should also increase protections for private

wells.

G. Preserve and restore vegetated buffers adjacent to all of Malaysia’s state waters,

including small streams, freshwater wetlands, coastal marshlands, floodplains, and

reservoirs. Natural buffers protect water quality, filter stormwater, provide flood control,

prevent erosion, preserve native flora and fauna, and serve as wildlife habitat.

Implementation of vegetated buffers on wetlands should be strengthened to reflect the

value of all of these functions and to reflect scientific understanding of what is needed to

protect water quality. The state must enforce stream buffer regulations uniformly and

minimize the granting of variances. The state must provide sufficient funding for

meaningful enforcement, and create and apply effective penalties that include buffer

repair and restoration when violations are committed. The state also should provide

financial incentives for the creation and retention of green infrastructure, including

riparian buffers, wetlands, floodplains, living shorelines, and other pervious green space,

which are costeffective means of enhancing both water quality and quantity and

preventing floods.

H. Ensure protection of freshwater wetlands and restore degraded wetlands. Malaysia’s

freshwater wetlands recharge aquifers, improve water quality, filter pollutants, provide

flood control, and serve as habitat for wildlife. Protections for, and restoration of,

freshwater wetlands, including the use of buffers, should reflect the value of all of these

functions. Additionally, federal Section must adequately provide for wetland mitigation

requirements, and these requirements need to be enforced.

41

I. Develop and implement a comprehensive plan for headwaters protection. All of

Malaysia’s fourteen river basins have their headwaters in Malaysia. Safeguarding these

headwaters, including springheads and stream buffers, is vital to the protection of water

quality, water quantity, and the health of our aquatic resources. Protecting water quality

upstream can save money downstream. Focus should also be on minimizing

segmentation of protected stream reaches.

42

LEARNING FROM GROUP WORK PROJECTIn this assignment, our group consists of 6 members, with 6 brains put together, there were

plenty of ideas and opinions that come out with. Group leader is Phon Kit Poi, and the group

members are Sew Yue Ling, Hong Li Vian, Lee Lin Hui, Lieu Xue Qi and Fong Kah Yan. The

group members are in team work and we had a leader to guide us on what we need to do. Our

assignment topic is “Water Treatment for Domestic Water Supplies”. We distribute the task

evenly and we started our work after the first meeting. In this assignment, we had gained a lot of

knowledge about the water supplies.

To obtain a clean, clear and safe water to drink and use, it is not easy. The raw water must go

through several steps and processes to ensure that the water is safe to drink and use. Other

than that, in completing this assignment we are now able to know how the water treatment

process is carried out, the importance of water supplies and the device and system used for

water treatment. Apart from that, we get to know more detail about Syarikat Bekalan Air

Selangor Sdn. Bhd. (SYABAS). From this case study, we know the history of SYABAS,

management system of SYABAS and of course the water quality and responsibility of SYABAS.

We know that water is not easily to obtain so we will have to treasure on the water supply.

In this assignment, we had developed quite number of skills in completing it. First of all, we had

gained improvement in our communication skill. We discussed our ideas with our group mates,

because communication help us to express our thoughts. Moreover, we had learnt to

understand each of the group mates through their communication and this can strengthen our

team work in completing the assignment. Having the communication skills, we could face fewer

difficulties to speak out confidently during upcoming interviews or presentation.

Through discussion, we also able to develop thinking and problem solving skills. When one of

the members expressed an idea, we can also tried to think and make better solution,

recommendations or even improvements. Problems could occur everywhere. So thinking and

problem solving skills is very important to help us detect its source and ways to resolve it

effectively.

On the other hand, this is the most important skill in completing this assignment. We had

developed the discipline and specific knowledge skills. We are able to put theories into practice.

People said “practice makes perfect” and in this assignment, it is a challenge for us in the

43

beginning, but we took it as a practice for us to gain more knowledge in this “Building Services

1” subject.

In addition, we had also developed intrapersonal skills. In competing this assignment, we had

learnt different moral value from each of the members such as patient, team work, hard-working

and problem solving. These will be a useful skills for us in the future to become a qualified

Quantity Surveyor. In our life, we can use these skill to solve many problems in our study or

even working fields.

Last but not least, we had gained interpersonal skills. We learnt to work with different types of

people, we tried to adapt, tolerate, accommodate and care about each other when working with

them to ensure that this assignment can go well and everyone can works well together in a

team. In conclusion, there are more benefits in a group assignment than individual.

44

REFERENCES

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,U.S. Department of Health & Human

Services (2014). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/home-water-

treatment/household_water_treatment.html

2. Chris Woodford (2016). How do water filters work? Retrieved from

http://www.explainthatstuff.com/howwaterfilterswork.html

3. Disclaimer Sitemap (2011). Water treatment processes. Retrieved from

http://www.hunterwater.com.au/Water-and-Sewer/Water-Supply/Water-Treatment-

Processes.aspx

4. Domestic Water Treatment for Homeowners. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2016, from

https://agwt.org/content/domestic-water-treatment-homeowners#WATER

5. Ejad. (2015). Retrieved from

http://www.lap.com.my/bi/index.php/community1/perkhidmatan-khas/loji-pembersihan-air

6. Georgia Water Coalition Partners (2014). Retrieved from

http://www.garivers.org/gawater/pdf%20files/GWC%20Reports/2013GWCReport.pdf

7. IWA Publications (2016). Sedimentation processes. Retrieved from

http://www.iwapublishing.com/news/sedimentation-processes

8. Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum (2003). Drinking Water Treatment-

Coagulation. Retrieved from

http://techalive.mtu.edu/meec/module03/WastewaterRegulations.htm

9. Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum (2003). Drinking Water Treatment –

Disinfection. Retrieved from http://techalive.mtu.edu/meec/module03/Sources-

SurfaceWater.htm

10. Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum (2003). Drinking Water – Distribution.

Retrieved from http://techalive.mtu.edu/meec/module03/Flocculation.htm

11. Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum (2003). Drinking Water Treatment –

Flocculation. Retrieved from

http://techalive.mtu.edu/meec/module03/DrinkingWaterProcess.htm

12. Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum (2003). Drinking Water Treatment –

Filtration. Retrieved from http://techalive.mtu.edu/meec/module03/Sources-

Groundwater.htm

45

13. Minimum Cost Housing Group, McGill University (2016). Retrieved from

https://www.mcgill.ca/mchg/student/sanitation/chapter7

14. Rainwater Cisterns: Design, Construction, and Water Treatment, Penn State College of

Agricultural Sciences (2016). Retrieved from http://extension.psu.edu/natural-

resources/water/drinking-water/cisterns-and-springs/rainwater-cisterns-design-

construction-and-water-treatment

15. Seawater Reverse Osmosis, seawater desalination Malaysia, Lyndsey Gilpin (2014).

Retrieved from http://www.techrepublic.com/article/10-ways-technology-is-changing-the-

future-of-water/

16. Syarikat Bekalan air Selangor Sdn. Bhd. (n.d). Retrieved November 19, 2016, from

https://www.syabas.com.my/consumer/water-quality-monitoring

17. Syarikat Bekalan air Selangor Sdn. Bhd. (n.d). Retrieved November 22, 2016, from

https://www.syabas.com.my/corporate/about-us-ict

18. The National Academies Press (2006). Drinking Water Distribution Systems. Retrieved

from https://www.nap.edu/read/11728/chapter/3

19. Valerie Webber (2015). How does drinking contaminated water affect our health?

Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/459061-how-does-drinking-

contaminated-water-affect-our-health/

20. VertMarkets (1996). Water distribution system challenges and solutions. Retrieved from

http://www.wateronline.com/doc/water-distribution-system-challenges-and-solutions-

0001

21. Water in our daily lives. Retrieved 19 November 2016, from http://www.english-

online.at/geography/water/water-cycle-treatment.htm

22. Water Treatment Plant (2015). Retrieved from

http://www.lap.com.my/bi/index.php/community1/perkhidmatan-khas/loji-pembersihan-air

23. Water Treatment Processes. (n.d). Retrieved November 16, 2016, from

http://www.hunterwater.com.au/Water-and-Sewer/Water-Supply/Water-Treatment-

Processes.aspx

24. World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Water Facts and Trends Update.

(WBCSD, Geneva, Switzerland, 2009). Retrieved from

https://www.thesolutionsjournal.com/article/improving-the-sustainability-of-water-

treatment-systems-opportunities-for-innovation/

46