WQIS

WATER QUALITY INFORMATION SYSTEM

WATER QUALITY STANDARDS

There are two (2) criteria to be met by any treatment process discharging effluent to an
inland waterway; one concerns the receiving water and the other the discharge water.

■ Receiving Water Quality Standard

Under the Interim Water Quality Standard (INWQS), Malaysian rivers are classified
according to the six Classes and as described in Table 1.

● Note:
The Department of Environment (DOE) initiated
the development of Receiving Water Quality
criteria for Malaysia in 1985 which aimed at
developing a water quality management approach
for the long term water quality of the nation's
Updated water resources. The Water Quality Consultancy
27.08.2005 Group of the Institute of Advanced Studies,
University of Malaya was commissioned in 1985
to undertake Phase I Study for the development
of water quality criteria and standards for
Malysia. The study recommended that Malaysian
rivers be classified according to the six classes
and described in Table 1.

■ Discharge Quality Standard

The effluent quality of any discharge from a sewage treatment process to an inland
water (that is, other than one having an ocean outlet) shall meet the minimum
requirements of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and the limits set down by the
Environmental Quality (Sewage Industrial Effluent Regulations, 1979 which are
presented in Table 2.

● Note:
Standard A criteria applies only to catchments areas
located upstream of drinking water supply off-takes.

Table 1 - Receiving Water Quality (from INWQS)

Classes
Parameters (Units)
l llA llB lll lV V

DO mg/l 7 5-7 5-7 3-5 <3 <1

COD mg/l 10 25 25 50 100 > 100

BOD mg/l 1 3 3 6 12 > 12

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Total Dissolved Solids mg/l 500 1000 - - 4000 -

Total Suspended Solids mg/l 25 50 50 150 300 > 300
Faecal Caliform counts/100ml 10 100 400 5000 5000 -
Total Coliform counts/100ml 100 5000 5000 5000 5000 >50000

Table 2 - Environmental Quality (Sewage and Industrial Effluents) Regulations, 1979.

Maximum Effluent Parameter Limits Standards A and B.

Standard
Parameters (Units)
A (1) B (2)
1 Temperature oC 40 40
2 pH - 6.0 - 9.0 5.5 - 9.0
3 BOD5 @ 20oC mg/l 20 50
4 COD mg/l 50 100
5 Suspended Solids mg/l 50 100
6 Mercury mg/l 0.005 0.05
7 Cadmium mg/l 0.01 0.02
8 Chromium, Hexalent mg/l 0.05 0.05
9 Arsenic mg/l 0.05 0.10
10 Cyanide mg/l 0.05 0.10
11 Lead mg/l 0.10 0.5
12 Chromium, Trivalent mg/l 0.20 1.0
13 Copper mg/l 0.20 1.0
14 Manganese mg/l 0.20 1.0
15 Nickel mg/l 0.20 1.0
16 Tin mg/l 0.20 1.0
17 Zinc mg/l 1.0 1.0
18 Boron mg/l 1.0 4.0
19 Iron (Fe) mg/l 1.0 5.0
20 Phenol mg/l 0.001 1.0
21 Free Chlorine mg/l 1.0 2.0
22 Sulphide mg/l 0.50 0.50
23 Oil and Grease mg/l Not detectable 10.0

Standard A for discharge upstream of drinking water

1.
take-off
2. Standard B for inland waters

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Class Uses
l represents water bodies of excellent quality. Standards set for the
conservation of natural environment in its undisturbed state.
Water bodies such as those in the national park areas, fountain
heads, and in land and in undisturbed areas come under this
category where strictly no discharges of any kind is permitted.
Water bodies in this category meets the most stringent
requirements for human health and aquatic life protection.

ll represents water bodies of good quality. Most existing raw water

supply sources come under this category. In practise, no body
contact activity is allowed in this water for the prevention of
probable human pathogens. There is a need to introduce another
class for water bodies not used for water supply but similar
quality which may be referred to as Class IIB. The determination
of Class IIB standards is based on criteria for recreational use and
protection of sensitive aquatic species.

lll is defined with the primary objective of protecting common and

moderately tolerant aquatic species of economic value. Water
under this classification may be used for water supply with
extensive/advanced treatment. This class of water is also defined
to suit livestoick drinking needs.

lV defines water required for major agricultural activities which may

not cover minor applications to sensitive crops.

V represents other water which do not meet any of the above uses.

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