Zaman University

Department of Civil Engineering

No. 8, St. 315, 12151 Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Chapter 7

Water Quality

Dr. BUNRITH SENG

Department of Civil Engineering, Zaman University

Mobile : +81 (0) 80 3259 9952

No. 8, St. 315, 12151 Phnom Penh, Cambodia

E-mail: seng.bunrith@gmail.com; bseng@itc.edu.kh

Important Water Quality Parameters

Water quality parameters
Dissolved Oxygen/Oxygen demand
Solids
Nitrogen

Infectious bacteria and viruses

Dissolved Oxygen
The measurement of the rate at which this oxygen is used
by microorganisms decomposing organic matter.
Theoretical oxygen demand (ThOD)
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
Chemical oxygen demand (COD)

Dissolved Oxygen (Cont.)

Theoretical oxygen demand (ThOD)
The oxygen demand for the decomposition of pure materials can be
estimated from stoichiometry, assuming that all the organic material
completely decomposes.

CaHbOc + O2

CO2 + H2O

CaHbNc Od + O2

CO2 + H2O + NH3

ThOD = C-ThoD + N-ThOD

C-ThOD is due to the decomposition of the carbonaceous (organic) material and NThOD is due to the stabilization of nitrogenous material (NH3 to NO3-)
4

Dissolved Oxygen (Cont.)

Example1: What is the theoretical oxygen demand in mg/L for a
1.67x10-3 molar solution of glucose, C6H12O6, to decompose completely?

Solution:

C6 H12O6 6O2
1 mol

1.67 mol

6CO2 6H 2O

6 mol

x ?mol

1.67 6
10.02 mol of O 2
1

1 mol of O2 = 16x2 =32 g

mO2

mgO 2
10.02 32 321
L
5

Dissolved Oxygen (Cont.)

Example2: What is the theoretical oxygen demand in liters of air for
a 300 mg/L solution of methylamine, CH3NH2, to decompose completely?

Solution:

CH5 N 1.5O2
31 g

1.5x32 g

0.3 g

xg

CO2 H 2O NH3

1.5 0.3 32
x
0.4645 g O2 / L
31
1 mol of O2 = 22.4 L O2
1 L of Air = 0.21 L O2

1Lair
0.4645
22.4L
C ThOD
mol

32
mol 0.21LO2
C ThOD 1.55

Lair
Lsolution

Dissolved Oxygen (Cont.)

Solution (cont.):

NH3 2O2
17 g

2x32 g

0.3 g

xg

HNO3 H 2O

1Lair
Lair
0.3 2
22.4L
N ThOD
mol

2.06
1
mol 0.21LO2
Lsolution
Total Oxygen Demand

ThOD C ThOD N - ThOD

ThOD 1.55 2.06 3.61 Lair /L solution
7

Dissolved Oxygen (Cont.)

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
The measure of the amount of oxygen required by aerobic bacteria
and other microorganisms to stabilize decomposable organic matter.

A very low rate of O2 consumption would indicate:

Contamination is absent,
The available microorganisms are uninterested in consuming
the available organics, or
The microorganisms are dead or dying.

Dissolved Oxygen (Cont.)

BOD Measurement
The standard BOD test is run in the dark at 20oC for 5
days (BOD5).
Dark: algae may be presented and will produce O2 in
the bottle if light is available.
20oC: The rate of oxygen consumption is
temperature dependent.
5 days: Standard duration (it can be measured
shorter or longer than 5 days).
BOD is a difference of DO at initial and final day of the
measurement.

BOD Bottle
300 mL

BOD DOI DOF

Where:
DOI : Initial DO, mg/L
DOF : Final DO, mg/L

Dissolved Oxygen (Cont.)

BOD Measurement

BOD DOI DOF

Sample A:

BOD 8 2 6 mg/L
Sample B:

BOD 8 0 ? mg/L
Note:

DOF 2 mg/L
DO 2 mg/L

BOD of sample B is greater than

8 mg/L. It must be diluted.
Sample C:

BOD 8 410 40 mg/L

Sample B is diluted with distilled

water at a ratio 1:10.
10

Dissolved Oxygen (Cont.)

Example: The five-day BOD of an influent to an industrial

wastewater treatment plant is expected to be about 800 mg/L based on

similar wastewaters. What dilutions should be used in a five-days BOD
test?

Solution:
Assume that

o The saturation is about 10 mg/L

o The remaining at least 2 mg/L in the bottle

Then,

The drop BOD should be 10 2 = 8 mg/L

At least 2 mg/L of DO is to be used

Average

Dilution Factor

800
D
100
8
800
D
400
2

D 200

11

Dissolved Oxygen (Cont.)

The reaction in BOD bottle
Rate of DO

Rate of DO Rate of DO Rate of DO Rate of DO

ACCUMULATED

IN

OUT PRODUCED CONSUMED

Rate of DO

Rate of DO

ACCUMULATED
CONSUMED

dz
V rV
dt
First-ordor reaction

dz
k1 z
dt

Where:
z : Dissolved oxygen, mg/L
z0: Initial dissolved oxygen, mg/L
t : Time
V: Volume of BOD bottle, mL
r: Reaction rate

z z0e k1t
12

Dissolved Oxygen (Cont.)

Balance of Oxygen in the Bottle
Where:
y : DO already used or demanded at any time, t, mg/L
z : DO still required to satisfy the ultimate demand,
mg/L
L : ultimate demand for oxygen, mg/L

L z y
L y z
L y L0e
y L(1 e

k1t

k1t

13

Dissolved Oxygen (Cont.)

Chemical oxygen demand (COD)
A laboratory method that essentially determines the ThOD. This
include both biodegradable and nonbiodegradable organic matters.

Sample
+
K2Cr2O7
+
H2SO4

Heating

3 hours

14

Solids
Solid Particle Size
10-3m

Dissolved
Can be removed by a
membrane
Consists of organic
and inorganic matters
Hardly/impossibly be
removed by
sedimentation

1 m

Colloidal
Can be removed by a
membrane
Consists of organic
and inorganic matters
Hardly/impossibly be
removed by
sedimentation

Suspended
Can be removed by a
membrane or glass-fiber
with nominal pore size of
1.2m
Consists of organic and
inorganic matters
Can be removed by
sedimentation
15

Solids (Cont.)
3 type of solid determinations
o Total solids (TS)
o Total suspended solids (TSS)
o Total dissolved solids (TDS)

TS TSS TDS

Total suspended solids

o Total suspended solids (TSS)
o Volatile suspended solids (VSS)

TSS VSS FSS

o Fixed suspended solids (FSS)

Total dissolved solids
o Total dissolved solids (TDS)
o Volatile dissolved solids (VDS)

TDS VDS FDS

o Fixed dissolved solids (FDS)

16

Solids (Cont.)
Experimental Procedure

Sample
(V mL)

Filter with
Glass fiber
( = 2m)

Retained on
the filter

Filtrate

m m
VSS (mg / L)
V
`
1

`
2

m m2
VDS (mg / L) 1
V

FDS
(m2)
FSS
(m`2)

Drying
Owen
180 oC
for 1h

103-105oC
for 1h

TDS
(m1)

TSS
(m`1)

Burning
Furnace of 530-550oC for
15-20 min
17

Solids (Cont.)

Glass fiber filter

Evaporating Dish

18

Solids (Cont.)
Example: A laboratory runs a solids test. The weight of the crucible
= 48.6212g. A 100 mL sample is placed in the crucible and the water is
evaporated. The weight of the crucible and dry solids = 48.6432 g. The
crucible is placed in a 600oC furnace for 24hr and cooled in a
desiccators. The weight of the cooled crucible and residue, or unburned
solids = 48.6300 g. Find the total, volatile and fixed solids.

Solution:

48.6432 48.6212g
TS
106 220 mg/L
100 mL

48.6300 48.6212g
FS
106 88 mg/L
100 mL

VS 220 88 132 mg/L

19

Nitrogen
Overview
o Nitrogen is the largest single component of the earths atmosphere
(78.08% by volume, 75.5% by weight) and their compounds play a
vital role in water resources, in the life processes of all living
organisms
o Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for biological growth, normally
comprising about 12-14% of the mass of cell protein.
o Forms of nitrogen in the environment range from organic and
ammonium nitrogen (oxidation state minus 3), through nitrogen gas
(zero), to nitrite (plus 3) and nitrate (plus 5).
o Organic and ammonium nitrogen are the main forms present in
municipal wastewater and are often measured together as Total

Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN). Total organic nitrogen present is often

such that during biological treatment it is all used in cell synthesis.

Org-N = TKN NH4+

20

Nitrogen (Cont.)
Nitrification

Denitrification

21

Nitrogen (Cont.)
Measurement

A photometer used for measuring light

penetration through a colored sample

22

Bacteriological Measurements
Waterborne Diseases
Typhoid
Cholera
Shigellosis
Enteroviral diseases
Giardiasis
Cryptosporidiosis
Salmonellosis
Hepatitis
Others

23

Bacteriological Measurements (Cont.)

The bacteriological quality of pathogenic organisms in
water is commonly measured the Coliforms (150 strains of
E-coli).
Coliforms (E-coli) were chosen to be the indicator
organisms because:
Normal inhabitants of the digestive tracts of warm-blooded animals
Plentiful and hence not difficult to find
Easily detected with a simple test
Generally harmless except in unusual circumstances
Hardy surviving longer than most known pathogens
24

Bacteriological Measurements (Cont.)

Laboratory Testing

No coliforms
Have coliforms
The capture of gas in a tube where
lactose is fermented by coliform
organisms.

Petri dish culture (cell culture plating)

25

Drinking Water Quality Standard

Drinking water
quality by EPA
under the Safe
Drinking Water
Act (SDWA)

USA Standard

26

Drinking Water Quality Standard (Cont.)

Drinking water quality by EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA)

USA Standard

27

Drinking Water Quality Standard (Cont.)

Drinking
water
quality
standard

CAMBODIA

28

Wastewater Discharge Standard

Effluent standard for pollution sources discharging wastewater to
public water areas or sewer
No

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

Parameters

Temperature
pH
BOD5 ( 5 days at 200 C )
COD
Total Suspended Solids
Total Dissolved Solids
Grease and Oil
Detergents
Phenols
Nitrate (NO3 )
Chlorine ( free )
Chloride ( ion )
Sulphate ( as SO4 )
Sulphide ( as Sulphur )
Phosphate ( PO4 )

Unit

0C

mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l

Allowable limits for pollutant substance

discharging to
Protected public water Public water area
area
and sewer
< 45
< 45
69
5-9
< 30
< 80
< 50
< 100
< 50
< 80
< 1000
< 2000
< 5.0
< 15
< 5.0
< 15
< 0.1
< 1.2
< 10
< 20
< 1.0
< 2.0
< 500
< 700
< 300
< 500
< 0.2
< 1.0
< 3.0
< 6.0

29

Wastewater Discharge Standard (Cont.)

No
Type of pollution sources
1 Canned food and meat manufacturing
5 Flour manufacturing
6 Sugar manufacturing
7 Pure drinking water manufacturing
15 Cigarette manufacturing
16 Garment manufacturing without
chemical washing
17 Hotel
18 Restaurant
19 Animal farm
20 Slaughter house
21 Garage and car cleaning
25 Sewage treatment plant
37 Leather manufacturing
38 Soap and detergent manufacturing
40 Landfill site
41 Textile or synthetic textile
43 Pulp and paper manufacturing

Category
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
II
II
II
II
II

Pollution sources required

having a permission from
Ministry of Environment before
discharging or transporting
their wastewater
Category I
The sources of pollution of category I
that are subject to the prior permit from
the Ministry of Environment when the
amount of their effluent exceed ten
cubic meter per day ( 10 M3 /day ) but
not including the amount of water
volume used for cooling the engine.
Category II
The sources of pollution of category II
that shall be necessarily required to apply
for the permission from the Ministry of
30
Environment.

Wastewater Discharge Standard (Cont.)

Water Quality Standard in public water areas for bio-diversity
conservation

1- River

No
1
2
3
4
5

Parameter
pH
BOD5
Suspended Solid
Dissolved Oxygen
Coliform

2- Lakes and Reservoirs

No

Unit
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
MPN/100ml

Parameter

Unit

Standard Value
6.5 8.5
1 10
25 100
2.0 - 7.5
< 5000
Standard Value

pH

mg/l

6.5 8.5

COD

mg/l

18

Suspended Solid

mg/l

1 15

Dissolved Oxygen

mg/l

2.0 - 7.5

Coliform

MPN/100ml

< 1000

Total Nitrogen

mg/l

1.0 0.6

Total Phosphorus

mg/l

0.005 0.05

31

Wastewater Discharge Standard (Cont.)

Water Quality Standard in public water areas for bio-diversity
conservation (Cont.)

3- Costal Water
No

Parameter

Unit

Standard Value

pH

mg/l

7.0 8.3

COD

mg/l

28

Dissolved Oxygen

mg/l

2 - 7.5

Coliform

MPN/100ml

< 1000

Oil content

mg/l

Total Nitrogen

mg/l

1 1.0

Total Phosphorus

mg/l

0.02 0.09

32

Wastewater Discharge Standard (Cont.)

Water Quality Standard in public water areas for public health
protection
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

Parameter
Carbon tetrachloride
Hexachloro-benzene
DDT
Endrin
Diedrin
Aldrin
Isodrin
Perchloroethylene
Hexachlorobutadiene
Chloroform
1,2 Trichloroethylene
Trichloroethylene
Trichlorobenzene
Hexachloroethylene
Benzene

Unit
g/l
g/l
g/l
g/l
g/l
g/l
g/l
g/l
g/l
g/l
g/l
g/l
g/l
g/l
g/l

Standard Value
< 12
< 0.03
< 10
< 0.01
< 0.01
< 0.005
< 0.005
< 10
< 0.1
< 12
< 10
< 10
< 0.4
< 0.05
< 10

33