Department of Chemical Engineering

and Energy Sustainability

Faculty of Engineering

INDUSTRIAL TRAINING REPORT

AT
KUCHING WATER BOARD
( BATU KITANG WATER TREATMENT PLANT)
KUCHING, SARAWAK
(27 JUNE TO 4 SEPTEMBER 2016)

NURDALIANA BINTI ALIN

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

(Chemical Engineering)
2016
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK

DECLARATION OF ORIGINAL WORK

This declaration is made on the 4 day of September 2016.

Student’s Declaration:

I,NURDALIANA BINTI ALIN (43378), DEPT. OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING AND

ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY, FACULTY OF ENGINEERING hereby declare that the
work entitled, INDUSTRIAL TRAINING REPORT AT KUCHING WATER BOARD
(BATU KITANG WATER TREATMENT PLANT), KUCHING, SARAWAK (27 JUNE TO
4 SEPTEMBER 2016 )is my original work. I have not copied from any other students’
work or from any other sources except where due reference or acknowledgement is made
explicitly in the text, nor has any part been written for me by another person.

06 SEPTEMBER 2016 NURDALIANA BINTI ALIN (43378)

Date submitted Name of the student (Matric No.)

Industrial Training Coordinator’s Declaration:

I NAZERI ADBUL RAHMAN hereby certifies that the work entitled, INDUSTRIAL
TRAINING REPORT AT KUCHING WATER BOARD (BATU KITANG WATER
TREATMENT PLANT), KUCHING, SARAWAK (27 JUNE TO 4 SEPTEMBER 2016 )
was prepared by the above named student, and was submitted to the “FACULTY” as a *
partial KNF 3065 Industrial Training Course fulfillment for the conferment of
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING WITH HONOURS (CHEMICAL ENGINEERING), and
the aforementioned work, to the best of my knowledge, is the said student’s work

Received for examination by: NAZERI ADBUL RAHMAN Date: 06 SEPTEMBER

2016 (Name of the coordinator)
I declare this Report is classified as (Please tick (√)):

CONFIDENTIAL (Contains confidential information under the Official Secret Act

1972)*
RESTRICTED (Contains restricted information as specified by the organisation
Where research was done)*
√ OPEN ACCESS

Validation of Report

I therefore duly affirmed with free consent and willingness declared that this said Report
shall be placed officially in Department of Chemical Engineering and Energy
Sustainability with the abide interest and rights as follows:

 This Report is the sole legal property of Department of Chemical Engineering

and Energy Sustainability, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).
 The Department of Chemical Engineering and Energy Sustainability has the
lawful right to make copies for the purpose of academic and research only and
not for other purpose.
 The Department of Chemical Engineering and Energy Sustainability has the
lawful right to digitise the content to for the Local Content Database.
 The Department of Chemical Engineering and Energy Sustainability has the
lawful right to make copies of the Report for academic exchange between
Higher Learning Institute.
 No dispute or any claim shall arise from the student itself neither third party
on this Report once it becomes sole property of Department of Chemical
Engineering and Energy Sustainability, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
(UNIMAS).
 This Report or any material, data and information related to it shall not be
distributed, published or disclosed to any party by the student except with
Department of Chemical Engineering and Energy Sustainability, Universiti
Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)permission.

Student’s signature ________________________ Supervisor’s signature: ________________

(06 SEPTEMBER 2016) (06 SEPTEMBER 2016)

Current Address:
NO 617, LORONG 20, TAMAN SAMARINDAH PHASE 2, JLN DATO MOHD MUSA,
94300 KOTA SAMARAHAN, SARAWAK

Notes: * If the Report is CONFIDENTIAL or RESTRICTED, please attach together as

annexure a letter from the organisation with the period and reasons of confidentiality and
restriction.
 APPROVAL SHEET

This final year report which entitled “Industrial Training Report at

Kuching Water Board, Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant,

Kuching Sarawak (27 June to 4 September 2016)was prepared by

NURDALIANA BINTI ALIN (43378) as a partial KNF 3065 Industrial

Training course fulfillment for the Degree of Bachelor of Chemical

Engineering is hereby read and approved by:

_______________________________ 04 September 2016

MR. NAZERI ABDUL RAHMAN Date
(Industrial Training Coordinator)
 INDUSTRIAL TRAINING REPORT AT KUCHING WATER
BOARD, BATU KITANG WATER TREATMENT PLANT,
KUCHING, SARAWAK (27 JUNE TO 4 SEPTEMBER 2016)

NURDALIANA BINTI ALIN

Report is submitted to
Faculty of Engineering, University Malaysia Sarawak
In Partial KNF 3065 Industrial Training Course Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Engineering with Honors
(Chemical Engineering)
2016
Dedicated to my beloved parents, who always bestow me sustainable
motivations and encouragements
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, the author would like to express utmost gratitude to

Kuching Water Board (KWB) especially to Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant for

the opportunity given to undergo industrial training under Water Quality Control

(WQC) Unit. Apart from that, special thanks are dedicated to Mr. Wong Soon Sing, a

senior chemist and Mdm. Rahayu binti Ahmad Bohari, a chemist, for their guidance

in completing the industrial training.

The author would also like to toss earnest gratitude to Mr. Ngatiman bin Entol,

Mr. Ho Chin Guan, Mdm. Lo Siew Mee, , Mr John Bong, Mr. George Foreman, Mr.

Alin bin Amin, Mr. Chin Bui Phin, Mr Paul Jerry and Mr Sanusi Seman for their

willingness to share their knowledge and experiences through their warm attitude

towards the completion for the report and project. The deepest gratitude is also

extended to all staffs of KWB for their help, cooperation, knowledge and supervision

while doing this report. Lastly, the author would like to thank family and friends for

all supports and encouragement throughout the completion of the report. All

experiences and knowledge gained would not be possible without God’s permission.
 RUMUSAN EKSEKUTIF
Latihan industri adalah wajib untuk semua pelajar Kejuruteraan Kimia dan
kemampanan Tenaga Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). Ia adalah 10 minggu
latihan industri yang bermula pada 27 Jun 2016 dan tamat pada 04 September 2016.
Objektif utama latihan ini adalah untuk mendedahkan pelajar terhadap alam sekitar
kejuruteraan sebenar dan untuk meningkatkan kemahiran pemikiran teknikal dan
kritikal pelajar dalam melakukan aktiviti penyelidikan. Laporan ini bertujuan untuk
menyediakan laporan yang teratur berdasarkan pengalaman dan pengetahuan yang
diperolehi sepanjang tempoh internship di Loji Rawatan Air Batu Kitang KWB. KWB
adalah sebuah pertubuhan bukan keuntungan yang bertanggungjawab dalam
membekalkan air bersih kepada pengguna. Di bawah pengawasan Puan Rahayu binti
Ahmad Bohari, pelatih bertanggungjawab untuk melakukan penyelidikan projek
mengenai "Chlorine Residual Rendah dalam sistem pengagihan Loji Rawatan Batu
Kitang Air". Selain itu, semua aktiviti yang telah disertai oleh pelatih juga
dibincangkan dalam laporan ini
 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Industrial training is compulsory for all students of Chemical Engineering and

Energy sustainability of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). It is a 10 weeks
industrial training which started at 27th June 2016 and completed on 04th September
2016. The main objective of this training is to expose students towards real-life
engineering environment and to enhance student’s technical and critical thinking skills
in doing research activities. This report is intended to provide an organized report
based on experience and knowledge gained throughout the internship period at KWB
Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant. KWB is a non-profit organization which
responsible in supplying clean water to the consumers. Under the supervision of
Madam Rahayu binti Ahmad Bohari, the trainees are responsible to do a project
research regarding “Low Residual Chlorine in distribution system of Batu Kitang
Water Treatment Plant”. Apart from that, all of the activities that has been participated
by the trainees are also discussed in this report
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pages
DECLARATION OF ORIGINAL WORK i
APPROVAL SHEET iii
TITLE PAGE iv
DEDICATION v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT vi
RUMUSAN EXECUTIVE vii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ix
LIST OF TABLES xi
LIST OF FIGURES xi
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose of Report 1
1.2 Industrial Training Objectives 1
1.3 Industrial Training Schedule 3
1.4 Summary 4

2.0 COMPANY BACKGROUND

2.1 History 4
2.2 Company Structure 6
2.3 Company Main and Auxiliary Business 7
2.4 Water Treatment Process 9
2.5 Summary 13

3.0 INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DUTY

3.1 Main Duty 14
3.2 Other Associated Responsibilities 14
3.2.1 Water Sample Testing at WQC Laboratory 15
3.3 Summary 18

4.0 INDUSTRIAL TRAINING PROJECT

4.1 Project Involved 19
4.1.1 Low Residual chlorine in distribution 19
system at Batu Kitang Water Treatment
Plant
4.1.2 Project Suggestion 39
4.2 Activities 31
4.2.1 Site Visit to Batu Kitang Water Treatment 32
Plant
4.2.2 Visit to Raw intake station and weir 34
4.2.3 Visit to Batu Kitang’s Museum and Photo 35
Gallery
4.2.4 Visit to Santubong 37
4.2.5 Site visit to Matang Treatment Plant 38
4.2.6 International Conference on Chemistry 39
Education
 4.2.7 Go green Activity at Kuching Water board at 40
Batu Lintang
4.2.8 Water Treatment Safety Plan Audit 41
4.3 Problem Encountered and Problem Solved 42
4.4 Summary 43

5.0 CONCLUSION
5.1 Introduction 44
5.2 Experience Gained 44
5.2.1 Managerial Experience 45
5.2.2 Engineering Experience 45
5.2.3 Other Experiences 45
5.3 Summary 46

LIST OF REFERENCES 47
APPENDIX 48
 LIST OF TABLES
Table Page

1.0 Task and training schedule of activities conducted by Water 2

Quality Control (WQC) department
2.0 Development of water supply system in at Kuching, Sarawak 5

2.1 Batu Kitang water treatment plant and the location of distribution 8

tank

2.2 Monthly operating statistic for May 2016 8

3.0 Type of equipment used for each parameter testing 16

4.0 Residual chlorine and total coliform data at 15th Mile area 22

4.1 Residual chlorine and total coliform data at Kampung Santubong 23

 LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
1.1 Gantt chart of industrial training activities schedule 3
2.0 Kuching Water Board of Board of members 6
2.1 Organization chart of Kuching Water Board (KWB) 7
2.2 Complete steps of water treatment in KWB 9
2.3 Alum and lime dosing in mixing chamber 10
2.4 Sedimentation process that takes place in sedimentation tank 10
2.5 Sludge cleaning in sedimentation tank 11
2.6 Type of sand use during filtration process 11
2.7 Backwashing process 12
3.0 Arrangement of water sample 15
3.1 Type of Metro Spectrometer used in WQC laboratory 17
3.2 Testing of Aluminium Sulphate (Alum) in treated water 17
Colorimeter device used in Alum testing
3.3 17

4.0 Project methodology 20

4.1 Spectrophotometer used in determining residual chlorine 21
4.2 Preparation of sample for residual chlorine determination 21
4.3 Bacteria colonies on the membrane filter 22
Residual chlorine and total coliform in distributed water at
4.4 23
15th Mile
Residual chlorine and total coliform in distributed water at
4.5 24
Kampung Santubong
Residual chlorine and total coliform in distributed water at
4.6 24
15th Mile
Residual chlorine and total coliform in distributed water at
4.7 25
Kampung Santubong
Distance from Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant to Sampling
4.8 26
Point at Balai Polis Kampung Santubong.
Distance from Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant to Sampling
4.9 26
Point at 15th Mile Jalan Kuching Serian
4.10 Worker performing flushing procedure before water sampling 28
4.11 Treated Water Tank at Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant 29
4.12 Trichloroisocyanuric Acid (TCCA) tablet 30
4.13 Independent Chlorine Dispenser (Aqua 8) 30
4.14 Plant 1 of schematic diagram of processes 31
4.15 Plant 2 filter tank 32
4.16 Backwashing process at Plant 2 33
4.17 Batu Kitang Raw Water Intake 3 34
stirrer
4.18 35

Convectional weighing balance

4.19 35

4.20 Foot pump 35

4.21 Cambridge Transistorised Radio Telephone 36
4.22 Lime pump 36
Water sampling cabinet
4.23 37

Procedure in sample collecting

4.24 37

Trainees visiting Matang Dam

4.25 38

Sebubut Basin
4.26 38

4.27 International Conference on Chemistry Education (ICCE) 38

4.28 Trainees with industrial training supervisor and WQC staffs 39
Tree planting by Mr Wong Soon Sing, Deputy General
4.29 39
Manager
Short briefing from Mr Mohamad Sabari bin Shakeran
4.30 40

Performance by the General Manager and KWB staffs

4.31 40
4.32 During preparation and arrangement of CSDS 41
 ABBREVIATIONS
KWB Kuching Water Board

WQC Water Quality Control

DM Tank Datuk Muda Tank

TCCA Trichloroisocyanuric acid

TDS Total dissolved Solid

HOCL hypochlorous acid

OCL- hypochlorite ion

 NOMENCLATURE
MLD Mega Litre per day

pH Potential Hydrogen

ppm Parts per million

mg/L Miligrams per liter

MPN Most probable number

km kilometer
 CHAPTER 1.0: INTRODUCTION

This chapter will explains the overview and the purpose of this report including
the objectives for this 10 weeks industrial training. The schedule of the activities
participated by the trainee throughout the training period will be explain in this section.
1.1 Purpose of Report
The purpose of this report are to record all of the participated activities and the
training experiences in literature form including the opportunities to summarize their
experiences. By writing this industrial training report, students are able to practice
their writing skills and train them to write effectively for the preparation of Final Year
Project report writing. Besides that, the preparation, completion and submission of this
report helps in inculcating engineering skills in students.
1.2 Industrial Training Objectives
Industrial training is a compulsory program for all students in which it provide
supervised practical training. The training start from 27th June 2016 until 4th September
2016. The objectives of the industrial training are as follows:
i. To expose students to engineering experience and knowledge and
research activities which are not available during lecture session.
ii. To compare and practise the knowledge gained from the lecture with
the real situation.
iii. To use the experience and knowledge gained from industrial training
in the classroom.
iv. To familiarize students with the workplace environment after
graduation.
v. To gain experience in constructing reports for engineering works.
vi. To expose students toward engineering responsibility and engineering
ethics.
vii. To hope that the graduates will be able to choose an appropriate job
after graduation with the experience and knowledge gained throughout
the training period.
1.3 Industrial Training schedule
Within this 10 weeks of industrial training at Kuching Water Board at Batu
Kitang, many activities and tasks has been given by the supervisors to the trainee.
Trainee is placed under Water Quality Control (WQC) section under supervision of
Madam Rahayu binti Ahmad Bohari. Table 1.0 and Table 1.1 shows the lists of
activities and the Gantt chart of activities that has been participated by the trainee
throughout industrial training period.

Table 1.0: Task and training schedule of activities conducted by Water Quality
Control (WQC) department
Date Duration Task

27th June 2016 – 1 July 2016 1 week i. Briefing on Kuching Water

Board
ii. Briefing on the water
treatment process

4 July 2016 – 8 July 2016 1 week Understanding the safety plan of

water treatment plan at Kuching
Water Board

11 July 2016 – 15 July 2016 1 week Exposed to water analysis at WQC

laboratory bacteria analysis section

18 July 2016 -5 August 3 weeks i. Exposed to water analysis

2016 at WQC laboratory
physical and chemical
properties analysis section
ii. Practicing laboratory work
8 August 2016 – 2 4 weeks Conducting project related to low
September 2016 residual chlorine in distribution
system of Batu Kitang Water
Treatment Plant
 27-Jun 7-Jul 17-Jul 27-Jul 6-Aug 16-Aug 26-Aug 5-Sep 15-Sep

Briefing

Safety plan

Water analysis (Bacteria)

Water analysis and Laboratory work

Project

Figure 1.1: Gantt chart of industrial training activities schedule

1.4 Summary
The completion of the report help students enhancing their writing skills and
critical thinking skills in solving the problem related to water quality measurement.
Besides that, this industrial training gives valuable working experience and helps
student to enhance their practical skills and gives an opportunity to student to adapt
and understand the problems occurs while they in engineering working environment.
 CHAPTER 2.0: COMPANY BACKGROUND
This section provides all the information regarding Kuching Water Board
(KWB) plant including the history of the company, company structure and company
main and auxiliary. KWB plant was established on January 1959 under Water Supply
Ordinance from Public Works Department, located nearby with Batu Kitang Bazaar
which is about 16 km from Kuching City and 1 km away from the bank of Sg. Sarawak
Kiri (raw water supply). KWB owned two water treatment plants which located at
Batu Kitang (Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant) and Matang (Matang Water
Treatment Plant). Approximately about 97% of the whole water supplied are treated
at Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant while the remaining 3% are treated at Matang
Water Treatment Plant. (KWB, 2013).
2.1 History of Kuching Water Board
Kuching Water Board (KWB) was first established on 1st January 1959 under
the Water Supply Ordinance 1959 to take over the existing Kuching Water Supply
which charged under Sarawak Public Works Department. Then on 1st January 1995,
the existing Water Supply Ordinance was replaced with Water Ordinance 1994
followed by the rebuilt of a board under Kuching Water Board in January 2001.
KWB has been operated as a government’s organization since 1959. It is a
non-profited organization that aims in providing a clean and high quality water supply
to the consumers around Kuching and nearby areas. At the first board’s establishment,
KWB only has one small water treatment plant of 18 MLD at Batu Kitang and a supply
from Matang Dam (16 MLD) that situated at 130 metres above sea level (KWB, 2013).
In 1975, the water demand outstripped the capacity of the two existing plants. Thus in
1976, Matang Storage Basin with capacity of 270 ML was established in order to
increase the reliability supply from Matang. Then in 1977, the capacity of Matang
Treatment plant was upgraded by 16 MLD as to support the water supply from Matang
Storage Basin (KWB, 2013). Table 2.0 shows the complete development of Kuching
Water Board Water treatment plant from year 1887 until year 2009.
Table 2.0: Development of water supply system in at Kuching, Sarawak (KWB,
2013)
Year Actions
1887 Construction of the first storage system where no water treatment was
yet to be introduced (0.455 MLD)
1902 Development of reservoir at Matang
1914 Flow record system was introduced at Matang (2.27 MLD)
1919 First water supply that crosses Sarawak River from Matang to Kuching
at Fort Magherita
1925 Addition of another water supply from Matang to Kuching
1952 Research and suggestion to build Batu Kitang Treatment Plant
1957 Construction of Plant 1, Module 1 (14 MLD) at Batu Kitang, Kuching
1959 Establishment of Kuching Water Board
1960 First bacteria disinfection system introduced at Matang Plant
1965 Upgrading Plant 1. Module 1, Batu Kitang Plant to 18 MLD
1966 Construction of plant at Matang (9 MLD)
1966 Introduction to fluoridation system
1970 Construction of Plant 1, Module 2, Batu Kitang Plant (9 MLD)
1976 Construction of reservoir at Sebubut (60 MLD)
1977 Upgrading Matang Plant to 16 MLD
1978 Construction of Plant 2, Module 3, Batu Kitang Plant (41 MLD)
1986 Construction of Plant 2, Module 4, Batu Kitang Plant (55 MLD)
1994 Construction of Plant 3, Module 5, Batu Kitang Plant (100 MLD)
1999 Upgrading Plant 1 to 68 MLD
2000 Construction of Plant 3, Module 6, Batu Kitang Plant (100 MLD)
2002 New raw water pipeline from Sg. Cina to Matang Plant and upgrading
live storage of Sebubut Storage Basin to 520 MLD
2005 Construction of weir across Sg. Sarawak Kiri to increase the safe yield
of raw water to an estimated 484 MLD
2006 Construction of Plant 4, Module 7, Batu Kitang Plant (100 MLD)
2011 Construction of plant 4, Module 8, Batu Kitang Plant (100 MLD)
 Table 2.0 shows the development of Kuching Water Board treatment plant and
water treatment plant at Kuching, Sarawak started with the construction of Plant 1,
Module 1 at Batu Kitang in 1957 and followed by the construction and upgradation
the other three plants. Each plant consists of two modules in which each modules can
occupies varies water capacity.

2.2 Company Structure

This section will introduces, the chairman for board members of Kuching
Water Board (KWB) , the board members and their general manager in which as
shown in Figure 2.0.
Figure 2.0: Kuching Water Board of Board of members

KWB board member consists of four department which are Admin and Human
Resource (secretary), Deputy General Manager (planning, development and
production), Deputy General Manager (distribution) and Chief Accountant (Finance).
All this four department led by KWB General Manager, Mr. Mohd Sabari Bin
Shakeran. Meanwhile, eight units are divided under Deputy General Manager
(planning, development and production) , led by Wong Soon Sing which are
Development unit, Mechanical and electrical unit, GIS and network modelling unit,
Survey and rural water supply unit, Plant operation unit, Maintenance and transport
unit, Major development projects unit and Water quality section (WQS) unit. The
organization chart of KWB is shown in Figure 2.1.

Figure 2.1: Organization chart of Kuching Water Board (KWB)

2.3 Company Main and Auxiliary Businesses
Kuching Water Board (KWB) has provide fully treated water to about 680,000
residents in Kuching city and its surrounding. The average daily consumption in 2012
was 427 ML that rose by 5.32% to 455 ML in 2013. The maximum day consumption
was 470 MLD whereas the minimum day consumption was 354 MLD during the year.
Due to huge water consumption by the residents, KWB’s main business is indeed
selling clean water to resident at Kuching City area and its surroundings. In 2013,
water sales contributed approximately 82% or RM93,248,785 from total revenue of
RM113,039,194. The plants at Batu Kitang have their respective places to distribute
the treated water. The distribution location is shown in Table 2.1.
 Table 2.1: Batu Kitang water treatment plant and the location of distribution tank

Table 2.2 shows the operating statistic for Kuching Water Board Treatment
plant in May 2016. Each treatment plant was designed with specific capacity which
are 68, 96, 200, 200 and 16 MLD for Plant 1, Plant 2, Plant 3, Plant 4 and Matang
Plant respectively with total capacity of 580 MLD.
Table 2.2. : Monthly operating statistic for May 2016
Particular Plant 1 Plant 2 Plant 3 Plant 4 Matang Total
Plant
Design 68 96 200 200 16 580
Capacity
(MLD)
Average
Average 21.607 84.635 191.755 222.551 8.726 529.273
daily
production
(MLD)
Current 23.090 17.025 14.555 15.860 40.431 16.274
unit
production
cost

Based on Table 2.2, the total average daily production for every plant which
includes Kuching Water Board Treatment Plant and Matang Plant are 529.273 MLD
meanwhile the cost for current unit production are 23.090, 17.025, 14.555, 15.860,
40.431 for Plant 1, Plant 2, Plant 3, Plant 4 and Matang Plant respectively.
2.4 Water Treatment Process
 KWB use raw water from Sungai Sarawak Kiri and treated the water before it
distribute to all residents around Kuching. There are several processes involves in
water treatment process in Sarawak which are Coagulation and Flocculation,
Sedimentation, Filtration, Disinfection, pH corrector and Fluoridation processes. The
complete steps of water treatment are illustrated in Figure 2.2.

Figure 2.2: Complete steps of water treatment in KWB

Sungai Sarawak Kiri intakes acts as a raw water supplier for water treatment
in KWB. Raw water from Sungai Sarawak Kiri is pumped into the water treatment
plant located at Batu Kitang and then flowed to the mixing chamber where the first
chemical dosing which are Aluminium sulphate (Alum) and lime takes place. At
mixing chamber, alum and lime are injected to the raw water for coagulant formation
and pH correction (pre-lime) purposes as shown in Figure 2.3. The coagulant
formation stage is called as coagulation in which it involved hydrolysis and ionization,
specific absorption of ions occurred on particle of destabilization process and the inter-
particle collision involves the Brownian movement. Polymer which act as flocculation
aid is injected for flocculation process where all of the small flocs will agglomerate to
form bigger floc.
Next the water will flowed to sedimentation tank in which sedimentation takes
place where all of the coagulant or heavy particles will settled at the bottom of the tank
by gravitational settlement as shown in Figure 2.4. There are two different types of
sedimentation which are horizontal flow sedimentation and vertical flow
sedimentation. The performance of sedimentation process that takes place at
horizontal flow sedimentation tank can be affected by the size of the floc, the density
of the floc and the velocity of water flow. A laminar water flow are required for
sedimentation process. This is because, if the velocity of the water in the sedimentation
tank is too high, most of the suspended solids in water will not have sufficient time to
settle. Thus the suspended solids will be carried with the treated water and affect the
quality of treated water. In order to reduce the velocity of water flow before it entering
sedimentation tank, several devices such as by designing water inlet with baffles can
help to ensure a quiet flow.

Figure 2.3: Alum and lime dosing in mixing chamber

Figure 2.4: Sedimentation process that takes place in sedimentation tank

 Figure 2.5: Sludge cleaning in sedimentation tank
Figure 2.5 shows the sludge cleaning process in the sedimentation tank. The
sludge cleaning can be considered important as the accumulation of sludge in
sedimentation tank can affect the water quality especially in term of the colour and the
odour of treated water. Thus sludge cleaning must be perform at least once a year for
every modules to ensure clean water are being distributed to Kuching area residents.

Figure 2.6: Type of sand use during filtration process

Water purification or also known as filtration is the process of solid-liquid

separation of small suspended solid that are too light to settle in sedimentation tank.
The particles is called as carry-over. Rapid sand filter with 0.9 mm – 1.2 mm as shown
in Figure 2.6 are used during filtration process at Batu Kitang Plant in which the water
will moves vertically through the rapid sand to remove the solid particle. The top layer
of the rapid sand acts in removing organic compounds that can causes taste and odour
to treated water. Filtration process need to be frequently monitor since the rapid sand
were used to block all of the particles, the filter would clog quickly. Thus backwashing
need to be conducts to clean the filter as shown in Figure 2.7.

Figure 2.7: Backwashing process

Then the process continued with disinfection process. Water disinfection
process refers to the killing of pathogenic microorganism stages where all of the
microorganism or bacteria are destructed through germicidal effects. This stage
considered as crucial since failure in destroying bacteria in treated water can causes
tremendous ill to the water usage. Batu Kitang water treatment plant used chemical
type disinfection of water which is by using ammonia and chlorine as disinfectant
chemical. The mixing of these two chemicals in water will form chloramine which
then will acts as disinfection which will deactivate the growth of bacteria and other
harmful microorganism. According to Lenntech (2016), chloramine can kill bacteria
through the penetration of cell by blocking the metabolism of the microorganism.
Water treatment at Batu Kitang water treatment plant also involves the fluoridation
treatment. The purpose of water fluoridation is to reduce dental caries among children.
The optimum level of fluoride is 0.7 mg/L. The overdose of fluoride in treated water
can causes mottling of teeth in adult. Besides that, pH corrector also takes place at this
stage in which lime is added to adjust the pH of treated water before it entering cleared
water tank.
2.5 Summary
Since 1959, KWB has been operated as a non-profited organization that aims
in providing a clean and high quality water supply to the water usage around Kuching
and its nearby areas. Sungai Sarawak Kiri acted as a raw water for Batu Kitang water
treatment plant while Sungai Cina, Matang Dam and Sebubut Basin provides raw
water to Matang plant. Currently, Batu Kitang water treatment plant consists of 4
plants and 8 modules in which each of modules can occupied different capacity of
water. Each of the module consists of mixing chamber, sedimentation tank and
filtration tank. All of the treated water will be storage in cleared water tank. There are
processes take place in water treatment plant which are coagulation and flocculation,
sedimentation process, filtration process, disinfectant and pH corrector.
 CHAPTER 3: INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DUTY
This section will provides information regarding the main duty and other
associated trainee’s responsibilities throughout the industrial training period at
Kuching Water Board (KWB).
3.1 Main Duty
The main duty at KWB as a trainee were reading information, water quality
monitoring, carrying out assignment and task. During industrial training period,
reading are the most crucial part as reading can greatly increases knowledge and
understanding of a trainee regarding the organisation they currently in. Reading is
considered as a fundamental action in every works for instance the general knowledge
regarding type of processes happen in water treatment plant can be known through
reading before visiting the actual plant. Besides that, trainee has been given
responsibilities to read and understand the Safety Water Treatment Plant during the
first two weeks of industrial training.
Furthermore, carrying assignment or task is one of a great way to learn more.
One of the assignment are to do a research regarding “low residual chlorine in
distribution system at Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant”. This research was
conducted within 4 weeks by the trainees under supervision of Madam Rahayu Binti
Ahmad Bohari. Besides that, while doing the research, trainees are also required to do
an outdoor duty which is collecting water sample at specific area for water quality
analysis. Research data are gain by conducting several physical properties and bacteria
tests on water sample such as Residual Chlorine and Presence-Absence (P-A) test by
the trainee. Furthermore, trainees are also asked to inspect and analyse data related to
residual chlorine and bacteria content in water sample. By doing this research, trainees
are able to practice and enhance their practical skills and their critical thinking skills
in handling problem related to the research project.

3.2 Other Associated Responsibilities

Apart from the research project, other responsibilities has been given by the
trainee is daily water sample testing. This water sample testing helps to polish
trainee’s practical skills by practicing several physical properties test and bacteria test
which then will be apply and use in completing the research project report.
 3.2.1 Water Sample Testing at Water Quality Control Unit (WQC)
Laboratory
Within this 10 weeks of industrial training at KWB, trainee was placed at
Water Quality Control Unit (WQC) under supervision from Madam Rahayu binti
Bohari. WQC unit acts as water quality monitoring in term of the physical properties
of the water and the bacteria content in raw or treated water produce by Batu Kitang
water treatment plant. In order to ensure the quality of treated water produce from
Batu Kitang water treatment plant are preserves, daily water sample test is required. It
is important to ensure the quality of the treated water produce are within the standard
range which is safe to be consume and led no affects towards human health. Good
quality of treated water means less or no water violation occur during test. During
day time, trainees are responsible to conduct physical properties test on water sample
taken from Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant. Sample collector will collect all of the
water sample from 8 modules in Batu Kitang. Then the water sample will be arrange
according to its module and water type. The arrangement will starts with raw water,
water from mixing chamber, settled water, filtered water and treated water as shown
in Figure 3.0. Meanwhile in the afternoon, water sample from Matang Plant,
Distribution system, raw water from Sebubut basin , Sungai Cina and Matang Dam
are tested. In WQC physical properties lab, around 14 water parameters are tested such
as residual chlorine, residual alum, pH value, turbidity, haziness, fluoride, total
chloride, total ion, ammonia, alkalinity, nitrites, total hardness, total dissolved solids
(TDS) and cyanide. Trainees are responsible to conduct test related to residual
chlorine, fluoride, alkalinity, total hardness, pH value and total chloride.

Figure 3.0: Arrangement of water sample

 Each station in WQC properties lab are uses for specific parameter tests. This
is because every parameter testing uses different type of chemical and equipment.
Lists of equipment used to test each parameter are tabulated in Table 3.0. Since 14
parameters are tested in a day and it can be time consuming, thus a number of workers
a needed during water sample testing. About 4 or 5 workers are needed to conduct the
test where each of them are responsible to test specific water sample parameter. All of
the physical properties laboratory works are under supervision of Mr. Ngatiman bin
Entol. Any identified water sample violation need to be directly report to Mr.
Ngatiman as he will asks the one who in charge the water treatment plant to do double
parameter check . One kind of violation such as the residual chlorine of treated water
at water treatment plant exceeds or less than its standard requirement which is more
than 1.5 ppm or less than 0.1 ppm respectively.
Table 3.0: Type of equipment used for each parameter testing
Parameters Equipment
Residual chlorine Metro Spectrometer (wavelength
515nm)
pH Comparator
Turbidity Turbidity meter
Fluoride Metro Spectrometer (wavelength
570nm)
Alum LoviBond Photometer
Treated Alum Colorimeter

Several parameter testing such as alkalinity, total hardness and total chloride
testing are still using a conventional method which is by titration instead of using
equipment in getting the results. Thus, this three parameter testing consumed more
time compared to other parameter testing. Based on Table 3.0, same type of equipment
which is Metro Spectrometer are used to test different types of parameter, residual
chlorine and Fluoride. However this two parameters uses different wavelength value
which are 515 nm and 570 nm for residual chlorine and fluoride test respectively.
Figure 3.1 shows Metro Spectrometer equipment which uses in residual chlorine and
fluoride testing.
 Figure 3.1: Type of Metro Spectrometer used in WQC laboratory

Figure 3.2: Testing of Aluminium Figure 3.3: Colorimeter device

Sulphate (Alum) in treated water used in Alum testing

Figure 3.2 shows the Alum parameter testing in treated water. This method
are used Colorimeter device as shown in Figure 3.3 to test the amount of Alum content
in the treated water from Module 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8. However different method are
used while checking the quantity of Alum in raw water sample and mixing chamber
water sample. Figure 3.4 shows the method in testing Alum in raw water sample and
mixing chamber by using LoviBond Photometer device. Aluminium No.1 and
Aluminium No. 2 tablets are the chemicals used in Alum testing.
3.3 Summary
The main duty throughout the industrial training period is to do a research
regarding the “Loss of residual chlorine in distribution system at Batu Kitang water
treatment plant” under supervision of Madam. Rahayu binti Bohari. This research help
trainees in enhancing their critical thinking skills in solving problems and also their
practical skills in gaining data. Besides that, soft skills such as communication skills
among trainees and other staff members from other unit can also be improves while
conducting the research project. Apart from that, by doing daily water sample testing,
trainees are able to gain knowledge regarding the types of parameters and the
procedure used in parameter testing. Furthermore, the knowledge and method uses in
daily water sample testing can also be apply while doing the research project.
 CHAPTER 4.0: INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DISCUSSION
In this section, detailed discussion on project involved and the activities that
has been participate by the trainee are provided.
4.1 Project Involved
In this section, several activities that has been participated by the trainee
throughout the industrial training period will be discusses in detailed. This section will
also include details information regarding the industrial training project which related
to the low residual chlorine in distribution system at Batu Kitang water treatment plant.
4.1.1 Low Residual chlorine in distribution system of Batu Kitang Water
Treatment Plant
A project entitled “ Low Residual Chlorine in distribution system of Batu
Kitang Water Treatment Plant” is assigned to the trainees. The duration given to
complete the project was about 4 weeks under supervision of Madam Rahayu. In the
completion of the project, trainee is achieving the following objectives:
i. To investigate the low residual chlorine in distributed water at
Kampung Santubong and 15th Mile
ii. To study the relationship between the number of bacteria presence in
water and low residual chlorine
iii. To investigate factors that affect the low residual chlorine in distributed
water at Kampung Santubong and 15th Mile
iv. To propose a solution for the problem of low residual chlorine in
distributed water at Kampung Santubong and 15th Mile

Chlorination is the process of adding chlorine treated water in order to kill

certain type of bacteria for instance E.coli, Coliform and other microbes. The
chlorination process considered as one of the most crucial process as chlorination is
used to prevent spread of waterborne diseases such as typhoid fever, dysentery,
cholera and gastroenteritis (Oram,2014). The standard requirement of chlorine in
treated water is between 0.2mg/L to 5 mg/L. However the amount of chlorine during
water distribution to water user is found to be inconsistent where some of the reading
are less than the required dosage. Thus, less chlorine amount can led to high
possibilities of bacteria penetration into water distribution system.
This project covers the chlorine amount from the distribution system at Batu
Kitang water treatment plant to the distribution tanks at specific areas. In this report,
two areas has been selected which are 15th Mile and Kampung Santubong area. The
aim of this project is to analyse the amount of residual chlorine in treated water in the
distribution system as to ensure either the water distributed to the residents meets the
standard requirement of residual chlorine.
The project starts by extracting the information of residual chlorine at 15th mile
and Kampung Santubong from given literature. A six months results in which from
January 2016 to Jun 2016 water sample data and residual chlorine from both areas are
collected from WQC department. Instead of residual chlorine, the information
regarding the content of coliform in treated water also being analysed and discussed
as the amount of residual chlorine will affect the coliform contents in treated water
which can led to bacteria violation. Total coliforms are a group of bacteria that are not
harmful to humans but it can be used as an indicator of pathogens for drinking water
since pathogens can potentially affect human health when it being ingested. Thus, total
coliform considered as important parameter to determine the adequacy of water
treatment and the integrity of the distribution system (EPA,2016).

Figure 4.0: Project methodology

Figure 4.0 shows the methodology of the project in which it starts by

extracting all of related information from WQC department. Next the information was
analysed and tabulated in Table 4.0 and Table 4.1 for 15th Mile and Kampung
Santubong respectively. In this project, the data of residual chlorine and total coliform
in distributed water at 15th Mile and Kampung Santubong from January 2016 until Jun
2016 are gathered and analysed.
 In order to analyse residual chlorine in distributed water, a test are conducted
by WQC department by using spectrophotometer device as shown in Figure 4.1.
Several types of reagents which are Phosphate Buffer solution, DPD indicator solution
and Potassium Iodide 20% are used to test residual chlorine content in the distributed
water. The sample was taken four times in a month as to ensure the distributed water
follows the standard requirement of chlorine in which residual chlorine in distribution
system must in between 0.2mg/L to 5 mg/L. Since 15th Mile and Kampung Santubong
experiencing low residual chlorine issues, sample of 10 ml of distributed water are
taken for residual chlorine test. Then the water sample was added with 0.5 mL of
Buffer Reagent, 0.5 mL of DPD indicator reagent and 0.5 mL of Potassium Iodide
20% solution as shown in Figure 4.2. The wavelength of the spectrophotometer uses
for residual chlorine determination are set to 515nm. The results of residual chlorine
for 15th Mile and Kampung Santubong are as shown in Table 4.0 and Table 4.1.

Figure 4.1: Spectrophotometer used in determining residual chlorine

 Figure 4.2: Preparation of sample for residual chlorine determination

Instead of residual chlorine test, WQC department also perform a Presence-

Absence (P-A) test to determine total coliform in treated water since low concentration
of chlorine in distribution system (less than 0.2 mg/L) can leads to the increases of
bacteria found in drinking water which can causes problem to human health. WQC
department is required to monitor for the presence of coliform bacteria to avoid
customer from experiencing waterborne illness. Presence- Absence test is frequently
use in detecting the presence of total coliforms and E.Coli in treated water by using
Chromocult Coliform Agar. The number of bacteria content in treated water can be
determine by counting the number of bacteria colonies on the membrane filter under
15X microscope as shown in Figure 4.3.

Figure 4.3: Bacteria colonies on the membrane filter

Based on Figure 4.3, 2 types of bacteria which are E.coli and Coliform bacteria
can be analysed on the membrane filter. The dark-blue to violet colonies represent
E.coli bacteria. Meanwhile the number of total coliform can be determine by
calculating the number of salmon to red colonies- blue to violet colonies. The presence
of colonies considered as water violation. This shows the dosage of residual chlorine
in treated water are not sufficient in killing the bacteria. Table 4.0 and Table 4.1
shows the results of total coliform bacteria presence in distributed water at 15 th Mile
and Kampung Santubong respectively .

Sampl January Februar March April May Jun

e y

COLIFORM

COLIFORM

COLIFORM

COLIFORM

COLIFORM

COLIFORM
CL (ppm)

CL (ppm)

CL (ppm)

CL (ppm)

CL (ppm)

CL (ppm)
(MPN)

(MPN)

(MPN)

(MPN)

(MPN)

(MPN)
1 0.1 < 0.7 <1 0.1 < 0. < 0. < 1. <1
1 1 3 1 1 1 5
2 <0. < 0.1 <1 <0. < 0. 1 0. < 0. <1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3
3 0.1 < 0.1 <1 1 < 0. < 0. < 0. <1
1 1 1 1 1 1 3
4 <0. <
1 1
Mode 0.1 < 0.1 <1 <0. < 0. < 0. < 0. <1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3
Table 4.0: Residual chlorine and total coliform data at 15th Mile area [CL:
Residual chlorine, Coliform: Total coliform bacteria, : Violation ]

Based on Table 4.0, five residual chlorine violation while one total coliform
bacteria violation in 15th Mile has been investigated within 6 months. January and
May shows that three out of three water sample were analysed with low amount
of residual chlorine. Meanwhile in March, all of the treated water sample collected
at 15th Mile content less than 0.2 ppm total residual chlorine. Only two out of three
water sample are inadequate minimum amount of residual chlorine.

Sampl Januar Februar March April May Jun

e y y
COLIFORM

COLIFORM

COLIFORM

COLIFORM

COLIFORM

COLIFORM
CL (ppm)

CL (ppm)

CL (ppm)

CL (ppm)

CL (ppm)
CL(ppm)
(MPN)

(MPN)

(MPN)

(MPN)

(MPN)

(MPN)

1 0.5 <1 0.1 < 0.2 1 0.2 1 0.2 >2

1 6 3
 2 0. 1 <0. < <0. < <0. 1 <0. < <0. <1
7 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
3 0. < 0.1 < <0. < 0.1 3 <0. < <0. >2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3
4 <0. < <0. <1
1 1 1
Mode 0. < 0.1 < <0. < 0.1 7 <0. < <0. >2
4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3
Table 4.1: Residual chlorine and total coliform data at Kampung Santubong
[CL: Residual chlorine, Coliform: Total coliform bacteria, : Violation ]

Kampung Santubong is the area where the standard amount of residual

chlorine is frequently violated. Based on Table 4.1, the high frequency of low
amount of residual chlorine were in March and June where three out of four treated
water sample are violated with the results of less than 0.2 ppm of residual chlorine.
The total coliform bacteria contained in treated water sample during March
follows the water quality standard. However, the total coliform bacteria standard
has been violated 2 times with more than 23 MPN of bacteria content since the
concentration of chlorine in treated water are not sufficient in killing the bacteria.

0.35 1

0.9
0.3
0.8
0.25 0.7

0.6
0.2
0.5
0.15
0.4

0.1 0.3

0.2
0.05
0.1

0 0
January February March April May Jun

Residual Chlorine (ppm) Total Coliform bacteria (MPN)

Figure 4.4: Residual chlorine and total coliform in distributed water at 15th Mile
 0.45 25

0.4

0.35 20

0.3
15
0.25

0.2
10
0.15

0.1 5
0.05

0 0
January February March April May Jun

Residual Chlorine (ppm) Total Coliform bacteria (MPN)

Figure 4.5: Residual chlorine and total coliform in distributed water at Kampung
Santubong

0.3

0.25

0.2

0.15

0.1

0.05

0
January February March April May Jun

Residual Chlorine (ppm) Coliform (MPN)

Figure 4.6: Residual chlorine and total coliform in distributed water at 15th Mile
 25

20

15

10

0
January February March April May Jun

Residual Chlorine (ppm) Coliform (MPN)

Figure 4.7: Residual chlorine and total coliform in distributed water at Kampung
Santubong

The main objective of this project is to investigate low residual chlorine in

distributed water at Kampung Santubong and 15th Mile. According to Drinking Water
Quality Surveillance Programme (2010), the standard of residual chlorine found in
drinking water is between 0.2 – 5.0 ppm. The average residual chlorine taken for the
period of 6 months in both location, as seen in Table 4.0 and Table 4.1, the standard
had been violated 5 times in the period of 6 months by having residual chlorine less
than 0.2 ppm. The causes of these violation has been investigated and several factors
are found.
The first factor found is the distance between the nearest chlorine dosing
site and the investigated locations ( Kampung Santubong and 15th Mile). According to
the research done by this company itself, the maximum distance from the nearest
dosing site to a specific location where the residual chlorine is able to maintained is
19 km (Chlor 8, 2015).
Figure 4.8: Distance from Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant to Sampling Point at
Balai Polis Kampung Santubong.

Figure 4.9 :Distance from Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant to Sampling Point at
15th Mile Jalan Kuching Serian.

The nearest chlorine dosing site for Kampung Santubong and 15th Mile is the Batu
Kitang Water Treatment Plant which is 48 km and 21 km away respectively. Figure
4.7 and Figure 4.9 shows the distance of Kampung Santubong and 15th Mile from
Batu Kitang Water Treatment plant respectively. These distances greatly exceed the
maximum distance in which residual chlorine can be maintained which is 19 km. Since
chlorine used for chlorination in the treatment plant is in gas form, residual chlorine
is difficult to be maintained over long distance. This is due to the volatile nature of
chlorine gas where it can easily escape through leakage along the pipeline as well as
through the pipeline joints.
Besides that, another factor that affects residual chlorine concentration is the
workers lack in skills especially in determining the ratio of chlorine and ammonia
during chlorination process in water treatment plant. Chlorine react with ammonia to
produce chloramines which consists of three different inorganic chloramines which
are monochloramine, dichloramine and trichloramine. Compared to free chlorine
compound, these three inorganic chloramines are much more persistent in water thus
it helps in slowing down the chlorine decay (Lenntech, 2016). The exact ratio of
chlorine and ammonia gas is 4:1. The dosage will be increase or decrease depending
on volume of water produced by the plant. However, an unskilled worker is unable to
determine the appropriate ratio of chlorine and ammonia based on volume of water
produced thus compromising the effectiveness of chlorination process.
Other than that, lack of skills in sampling process as well as ignoring the proper
process and procedures of taking water samples will also affect the concentration of
residual chlorine. Improper sampling techniques will alter the result of the residual
chlorine concentration. During sampling process, water from the sampling point
should be flushed for 10 minutes as shown in Figure 4.10 in order to remove stagnant
water and obtain fresh water. Stagnant water will record a lower residual chlorine since
all the chlorine has decay as well as escape through cracks and joints of the pipeline.
Residual chlorine obtained from stagnant water is not accurate as it does not represent
the actual residual chlorine concentration in water at that specific point of time. Fresh
water residual chlorine is more accurate as it represent the actual residual chlorine
concentration that is being supplied by the water treatment plant to the specific area at
that given time. Moreover, immediate testing should be done at the site of the sampling
point. The result of in-situ residual chlorine test is more reliable that laboratory testing
because the time taken for the samples to be taken back to the laboratory is longer
because of the distance. Delay testing will result in more residual chlorine decay thus
not providing a reliable result.
 Figure 4.10: Worker performing flushing procedure before water sampling.
Another reason is insufficient chlorine dosing site which is only at Batu Kitang
Water Treatment Plant. Chlorine dosing is only done after sedimentation tank and at
the treated water tank as shown in Figure 4.11 which then will be distributed to water
users. Since the distance between Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant, Kampung
Santubong and 15th Mile are situated at a great distance, more chlorine will decay
along the distribution pipeline which can cause residual chlorine violation. Thus, in
order to overcome this issue, more chlorine dosing site should be added. Other than
that, water sampling point should not be taken at the end of the distribution pipeline
since it gives inaccurate residual chlorine readings. This is because the water at the
end of the distribution pipeline becomes stagnant since there is minimal water flow
afterwards as there are less water users at the end of the pipeline.
 Figure 4.11: Treated Water Tank at Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant.

4.1.2 Project Suggestion

In order to overcome low residual chlorine in water distribution system, a
solution is suggested which is the implementation of Independent Chlorine Dispenser.
Independent Chlorine Dispenser also known as Aqua 8 is an automatic chlorine
dispenser which is invented to increase chlorine dosage in treated water along the
distribution pipeline. This device uses chlorine tablet known as Trichloroisocyanuric
Acid (TCCA) as shown in Figure 4.12 which is inserted into Aqua 8 system to
increase concentration of chlorine in distribution system. TCCA will self-
progressively dissolve in the water according to water flow in the pipeline. Dissolving
TCCA in water will produce hypochlorous acid ( HOCL). Cynuric acid, a by-product
of hydrolysis will stabilized HOCL from becoming hypochlorite ion (OCL-) due to
sunlight and heat. Furthermore, it also helps in slowing down the activity of
microorganisms in water. Maximum of 14 TCCA tablets can be fill in the container
which can provide consistent chlorine dosage for 35 days. Since it is an automatic
dosing device, actuator motorized valve is used with solar power as electricity source.
 Figure 4.12: Trichloroisocyanuric Acid (TCCA) tablet (Aqua 8, 2015)

,
Figure 4.13: Independent Chlorine Dispenser (Aqua 8) (Aqua 8, 2015)

4.2 Activities
 In the duration of ten weeks, several side activities has been participated by the
trainee which will be discussed in this chapter.
4.2.1 Site Visit to Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant
In order to understand more regarding water treatment process in Batu Kitang
water treatment plant, trainees has been given an opportunity to visit the plants. During
site visit, trainees are able to analyse type of process involved in the plant and type of
risks that possibly occur at the plant. Several precaution need to be taken and followed
in order to reduce the risk of injury when visiting the water treatment plant. This
includes the uses of enclosed, flat shoes that must be worn for the duration of the tour,
any operating infrastructure, pipes, valves or controls must not be touched.
The first site visit was guided by Mr Sanusi Seman to plant 1 and plant 2 where
he was the one who responsible to explain the process involved in water treatment
plant. Each of plant consists of two modules in which plant 1 consists with module 1
and module 2 meanwhile plant 2 consists of module 3 and module 4. Both water
treatment at plant 1 and plant 2 are carried out by using conventional method with
high quantity of chemical dosage. The raw water from Sungai Sarawak Kiri are
pumped to mixing chamber where chemical dosing takes place. Then the raw water
will undergo coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfectants
process as mentioned in Chapter 2. All of the treated water from plant 1 is supplied to
Bau area while treated water from plant 2 is distributed to 9th Mile and Datuk Muda
Tank area.

Figure 4.14: Plant 1 of schematic diagram of processes

 Figure 4.14 shows a schematic diagram of processes involved in plant 1. Each
water treatment plant and modules can occupies varies water capacity. In the first
construction of Plant 1 at Batu Kitang, Module 1 can only occupies about 14 MLD
meanwhile module 2 can afford 9 MLD. After several upgrading , Module 1 currently
can occupies 68 MLD of water capacity. The upgrading of Module 1 is due to the
increases of water user around Bau area.

Figure 4.15: Plant 2 filter tank

Figure 4.15 shows filter tank located in Plant 2. At this stage, water
purification or known as filtration process occurs. Filtration process happen after
sedimentation in which this filtration act as solid-liquid separation of small solid
particles that unsettled during sedimentation process. Filtration process basically
consists of several layer of filter medium which consists of different size of stone.
Starts with medium-sized stone at the top layer of filtration bed which used to trap
large suspended solid then small-sized stone and sand is used for each the filtration
layer. However in Plant 2, only rapid sand filter are used during filtration process in
which the water will moves vertically downward and passes through the rapid sand.
Due to the uses of rapid sand in the filtration tank, all of the particles can be
easily trapped. Several hours later, the filtration will become slower as the nozzle at
the bottom of the filtration tank will clogged due to the trapped particles. Thus
backwashing need to be conducts to clean the filter. Figure 4.16 shows backwashing
process at Plant 2. During backwashing process, water will be pumped upward and
passed through the filter in opposite the normal direction in order to remove the
embedded solid particles. Moreover, the compressed air will be blown upward from
the bottom of the filter to break up the compacted filter media. The contaminated water
after performing backwashing process then will be recycled back to the raw water that
entering the water treatment plant.

Figure 4.16: Backwashing process at Plant 2

4.2.2 Visit to Raw water Intake station and weir

Raw water pumping station used to pump raw water into reservoir and to
maintain the water level in the reservoir. The raw water intake pumping station are
designed to re-fill the reservoirs after the stored water is released to each of the plant.
There are four intakes at Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant that can provides raw
water to each of the four plants at Batu Kitang. Intake 1, intake 2, intake 3 and intake
4 provides raw water to plant 1, plant 2, plant 3 and plant 4 respectively. Raw water is
pumped from Sungai Sarawak Kiri by the riverside through the intake station. Figure
4.17 shows raw water intake 3 at Batu Kitang.
 Figure 4.17: Batu Kitang Raw Water Intake 3

On the same day, trainees are brought to visit the weir located nearby to Sungai
Sarawak Kiri. Weir is act as a barrier and it is a small overflow-type dam which
commonly used to raise the level of a river. The crest of an overflow spillway on a
large dam is often called a weir. At Batu Kitang, the salinity reading and TDS reading
during drought season are very high. Thus in order to overcome this problems, weir is
constructed to reduce the salinity intrusion especially during dry season. Besides that,
the construction of weir capable in preventing raw water shortage supply during low
level of water at Sungai Sarawak Kiri.

4.2.3 Visit to Batu Kitang’s Museum and Photo Gallery

The trainees also have been brought to Museum and Photo Gallery at Batu
Kitang. Batu Kitang’s Museum and Photo Gallery are located at the ground floor of
the administration building. Batu Kitang’s museum stored many antiques items related
to water treatment devices, laboratory apparatus and instrument such as water pump,
flood light projector, foot pump, convectional stirrer and various other things.
 Figure 4.18: stirrer Figure 4.19: Convectional weighing
balance
Various types of instrument and apparatus were used in testing and monitoring
the quality of treated water produced by Batu Kitang water treatment plant. Figure
4.18 shows a convectional stirrer which is one of the instrument uses in WQC
laboratory to examine the production of flocs in the year of 1985. Figure 4.19 shows
the convectional weighing balance.
On the other hands, there is also a foot pump as shown in Figure 4.20 in Batu
Kitang’s museum. This foot pump was used to check any leakage at the pipeline
especially at the joints of the pipeline. This foot pump will produced air pressure in
the pipeline to test any pipe leakage since no other application are suitable back then.
This leakage identification application was used since the year of 1930.

Figure 4.20: Foot pump

 Figure 4.21: Cambridge Transistorised Radio Telephone
Instead of WQC laboratory apparatus, a communication device which is
Cambridge Transistorised Radio Telephone also shown in Batu Kitang Museum. The
purpose of this communication device as shown in Figure 4.21 was used as
communication devices between Batu Kitang Plant and Matang Plant in the year 1961.

Figure 4.22: Lime pump

Figure 4.22 shows a lime pump instrument used in the year 1980 at Batu
Kitang Plant, Module 2. This eccentric screw pump is different than the convectional
type of metering pump as it used rotary motion instead of reciprocating action to
deliver chemical solution to the mixing chamber for dosing purposes.

4.2.4 Visit to Santubong

On 3th August 2016, trainees were brought to visit Santubong water sampling
point as shown in Figure 4.23 together with Mr Paul Jerry as a water sample collector.
The distance between Santubong and Batu Kitang water treatment plant is about 47.7
km and it takes about one hour arrival to the destination. Mr Paul Jerry shows and
explain briefly regarding the procedure of taking water sample as shown in Figure
4.24. Since the water quality at Santubong are frequently violates the standard
requirement of treated water quality, thus a proper technique or method are needed in
taking water sample. Treated water violation such as the amount of residual chlorine
in Santubong water sample is not follows the standard requirement as the quantity of
residual chlorine in water distribution pipe is less than 0.2 mg/L. This problems lead
to bacteria growth in Santubong water distribution pipeline. The lists of factor that
affects the decreases of residual chlorine has been discussed in this research project.

Figure 4.23: Water sampling cabinet Figure 4.24: Procedure in sample

collecting

4.2.5 Site Visit to Matang water Treatment Plant

Matang treatment plant was established by the White Rajah to supply water to
Kuching Town. In year 1957, Matang water treatment uses Matang hills as raw water.
The water of Matang hills was relatively clear and no water treatment are needed.
Then the first bacteria disinfection system was introduced at Matang Plant in the year
1960. Trainee has been given a permission to visit Matang dam and Sebubut Basin as
shown in Figure 4.45 and Figure 4.46. Sebubut Basin acts as a raw water backup
during drought season. This is because the raw water supply from Sungai Cina and
Matang Dam always experience water shortage during dry season. Thus Sebubut
Basin was constructed which can supply 570 ML of raw water to Matang water
treatment plant.
 Figure 4.25: Trainees visiting Matang Figure 4.26: Sebubut Basin
Dam

4.2.6 International Conference on Chemistry Education

Throughout the industrial training period, trainees has been given an
opportunity to visit International Conference on Chemistry Education (ICCE) 2016.
The ICCE was held on 15th August until 20th August at Borneo Convention Centre
Kuching, Sarawak. The purpose of exhibition is to introduce new laboratory
instruments to public especially to local and international chemist. The lists of
exhibitors who joined the ICCE program are Anton Paar Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Borneo
Indah Sdn Bhd, East-Bio systems Sdn Bhd, IT tech Research (M) Sdn Bhd, Lab
Science Solution Sdn Bhd, QS instruments Sdn Bhd and Gaia Science (M) Sdn Bhd.

Figure 4.27: International Conference on Chemistry Education (ICCE)

 Figure 4.28: Trainees with industrial training supervisor and WQC staffs

4.2.7 Go green Activity at Kuching Water Board at Batu Lintang

On 19th August 2016, the trainees has been given an opportunity to join a Go
Green activity which conducted by the headquarter of KWB at Batu Lintang.
According to Mr Mohamad Sabari Bin Shakeran, the general manager of KWB, the
purpose of Go Green activity is to create environmental awareness among KWB staffs.
Besides that, the objectives of this activity is to lead people towards a healthier
lifestyle, conscious choices and gives desire to create a positive impact. Various types
of activities was held such as a short briefing from general manager regarding Go
Green, performance by KWB choirs, tree planting ceremony and so on. Bintawa store,
Matang

Figure 4.29: Tree planting by Mr Wong Soon Sing, Deputy General Manager
 It is a simple but lively ceremony since the other staffs from other section such
as from Matang Water treatment plant, Bintawa store, Batu Kitang water treatment
plant were come together and joined the ceremony. Four location or also known as
zone has been prepared for tree planting ceremony at KWB Batu Lintang. There are
Zon Salju, Zon Jernih, Zone Pelangi and Zon Embun. Figure 4.29 shows Mr Wong
Soon Sing, Deputy General Manager for planning, development and production
during tree planting at Zone Embun.

Figure 4.30: Short briefing from Figure 4.31: Performance by the General
Mr Mohamad Sabari bin Manager and KWB staffs
Shakeran

4.2.8 Water Treatment Safety plan Audit

Another task that had been given to the trainees were assisted Madam Rahayu
Binti Boharin in performing Safety Plan Audit at Batu Kitang water treatment plant.
Safety audit is an independent workplace examination to determine whether the
activities comply to the organization’s rules. Moreover, audit activity was done to
make sure that the rules are implemented effectively and are able to achieve the
objective and the policy of organization. The self-audit checklist in other sectors used
during Batu Kitang water treatment plant audit are available in Appendix 1. Besides
that, an obligation has been given to the trainee in assisting Madam Rahayu in
preparation and arrangement of chemical safety data sheet (CSDS) for Aluminium
Sulphate, Hydrated Lime, Polymer Coagulant, Chlorine and Ammonia.
 Figure 4.32: During preparation and arrangement of CSDS

4.3 Problem Encountered and Problem solved

During 10 weeks industrial training period, many problems arose which can
affect the performance of the trainee itself. Handling problems can be an extremely
time-consuming process and without solution it can cause delays to industrial training
research project. Delays occur in every kind of projects either it is a simple projects or
a complex project. Due to late decisions in selecting project title and inadequate early
planning caused delays in starting the research project. Besides that, trainees only
attached under WQC unit throughout industrial training duration and the trainees are
not being shuffled to other department. Thus extracting data or information regarding
the research project from other unit can be a major challenge to the trainees. Thus
trainees gained limited knowledge and understanding related to the project especially
in project’s different aspects such as in mechanical, process and production aspects.
There is a solution for every problem as long as the trainees persist in resolving
the problem by themselves and seek an alternative route to overcome the situation. In
order to overcome the time delays, the only methods is by accelerating the speed in
doing works. This method helped the trainees in the elimination of delays. A new
timeline for the research project has been organized after the problem has been
resolves and the delay has been restored completely. Besides that, by attaching under
single unit gives the trainees a sufficient time in completing the research project. This
is because by attaching under one unit, trainees do not need to adapt towards a new
working environment and can utilised the time in completing the project. The trainees
also can easily approach other staffs to ask questions regarding the research project.
Moreover, permission has been given to the trainees to extract any information
regarding the project in different aspects from different department.
4.4 Summary
The research project entitled “ Low residual chlorine in water distribution
system of Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant” covers the factors of low residual
chlorine in 15th Mile and Kampung Santubong water sample. The violation of treated
water is due to the long distance between the nearest chlorine dosing site and the
investigated locations, workers lack in skills especially in determining the ratio of
chlorine and ammonia in water treatment plant, workers lack of skills in sampling
process and less number of chlorine dosing site. The implementation of Independent
Chlorine Dispenser (Aqua 8) was suggested to overcome this issues.
 CHAPTER 5.0: CONCLUSION
5.1 Introduction
Within these ten week of industrial training attachment, trainee was able to
learnt and gained valuable experiences at Kuching Water Board. Although the
practical works were also not involved in engineering field directly, the observation
and analysing skills were quite enough for the trainee throughout their industrial
training duration at KWB. For example, visiting water treatment plant can literally
give an overview on how the water treatment was conducted by knowing the type of
process involved in the plant through observation skills. Furthermore, most of the
works involve during these industrial training are related with water quality in which
trainee was being exposed more towards the test methods and problems encountered
while monitoring the quality of water in water treatment plant and also in water
distribution system.
Besides, the trainee are able to gain experience related to engineering field
indirectly while completing the assignment, tasks and projects throughout the training
period. Furthermore, a real life engineering environment experiences was gained
throughout the industrial training and the trainee was trained to adapt towards the
environment. The trainee was also capable to practice and relates all of the knowledge
gained during lecture into the real life engineering environment.

5.2 Experience Gained

Many types of industrial training experiences were gained by the trainee
through participating into several activities that has been conducted by the company
during these industrial training period. Instead of that, daily duties, tasks and project
given by supervisor can help to enhance trainee’s knowledge, practical skills and their
creativity in solving engineering problems. The best way to learn is from experience
and experiencing itself can taught the trainee more rather than hearing other people
experiences. Thus the experiences gained by the trainee during training period can be
listed into two categories which are:
i. Managerial experience
ii. Engineering experience
5.2.1 Managerial Experience

Through observation, managerial experience can be gained by observing the

way the general manager and supervisor handle their employees and industrial people.
The importance of leadership skills and good management skills can be learned
through trainee’s observation.
With this ability and skills, the manager and supervisor are managed to create a
positive working environment . A good working environment and positive work
culture tends to build more productive worker where employees tend to be more
commitment on their working duties.

Furthermore, the manager and supervisors also trust their employees to

manage their own time in order to create a comfortable environment. Employees are
free to take breaks or recharge as necessary to avoid from creating a packed and
stressing working environment as it may decreases the productivity of the KWB. The
trainee was also being given an independency and trusts by the supervisor in manage
their own time throughout the 10 weeks duration.

Other than that, a very well-managed soft skills while dealing with different
people with different personality are also important in managerial field. Work ethic,
attitude, communication skills, emotional intelligence and other personal attributes are
the lists of soft skills that are crucial for career success. Due to friendly working
environment at KWB, trainee also tends to experience and enhance their soft skills by
getting along with people and displaying a positive attitudes towards other colleagues.

5.2.2 Engineering Experience

By visiting water treatment plant in Batu Kitang, trainees are able to know the
water treatment processes involved including the situation or problems that have been
encountered by engineer at the site. Besides that, the trainee had been given an
opportunity to visit intakes, weir and sample points. Trainee were taught on how to
draw samples for laboratory chemical and bacteriological analysis. Apart from that,
trainee was also being exposed to real operating instruments such as pump, generator,
air blower, air compressor during site visiting.

5.2.3 Other Experience

Throughout the industrial training, many activities and tasks has been done by
the trainee. One of the task is by helping supervisor to perform a safety audit in the
water treatment plant. The trainee tends to experience general knowledge and skills
that safety management auditors need to have. The trainee is able to understand how
to identify workplace hazards in terms of physical, chemical and biological hazards.

5.3 Summary
In conclusion, the objectives of this industrial training have been achieved
especially on environment exposure. 10 weeks duration of industrial training are able
to expose trainee towards real engineering environment and challenges. The
knowledge learnt in the university might not covered all the skills and knowledge used
in the industrial training. Working in a real environment is far different from the
learning in the university. Trainee also must have a strong determination to learn and
positive mind during industrial training process in which this will help the trainee to
be more capable to adapt towards engineering environment and any challenge
situations.
 LIST OF REFERENCES
Aqua 8. (2015). Independent Chlorine Dispenser. Sarawak: Kuching Water Board
Batu Kitang

Chlor 8. (2015). Mengekalkan baki klorin dalam air terawat di system agihan.
Sarawak: Kuching Water Board Batu Kitang.

Drinking Water Quality Surveillance Programme - Ministry of Health. (2010).

Drinking Water Quality Surveillance Programme. Available at:
http://kmam.moh.gov.my/public-user/drinking-water-quality-standard.html.
Accessed on 1 September 2016.

Environmental protection agency (EPA). (2016). Total Coliform rule. Available at:
https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/revised-total-coliform-rule-and-total-coliform-rule.
Accessed on: 3 August 2016.

KWB (2010). Selamat datang ke loji rawatan air Batu Kitang [ PowerPoint slides]

KWB (2013). Kuching water board annual report of 2013. Sarawak: KWB Batu
Kitang

Lenntech. (2016). Water Treatment Solutions. Available at:

http://www.lenntech.com/processes/disinfection/chemical/disinfectants-
chloramines.htm. Accessed on: 1 September 2016.

Oram. B. (2004). Available at: http://www.water-research.net/index.php/water-

treatment/tools/chlorination-of-water. Accessed on: 3th August 2016.
APPENDIX A: Self-audit checklist
 APPENDIX B: Physical Properties Test Procedure
Residual Chlorine
Apparatus:
1. Spectrophotometer
2. Test Tube

Reagents:
1. Phosphate Buffer Solution
2. DPD Indicator solution
 3. Potassium Iodise (KI) 20%

Procedure:
(a) Preparation of blank solution
1. Add 0.5 mL of Phosphate buffer solution and 0.5 mL of DPD indicator solution
in test tube.
2. Add 10mL of distilled water into the test tube to form blank solution. Mixed
well.

(b) Preparation of sample for residual chlorine determination

3. Add 0.5 mL of Phosphate Buffer solution and 0.5 mL of DPD indicator
solution into a test tube.
4. Add 0.5 mL of Potassium Iodide (KI) 20% solution followed with 10 mL of
water sample (treated water). Mixed well.

(c) Residual Chlorine determination

5. Turn on the spectrophotometer and set the wavelength to 515nm
6. Transfer the blank solution to the spectrophotometer sample cell
7. Wipe the spectrophotometer sample cell to remove water spots and
fingerprints
8. Place the sample cell in the instrument cell compartment, close the lid.
9. Press “0 ABS/ 100% T” key.
10. The blank solution is used to calibrate the spectrometer reading
11. Remove the sample cell from the instrument cell compartment.
12. Transfer the sample for chlorine determination into spectrophotometer sample
cell and place it into the instrument cell compartment.
13. Read the “ABSORBANCE” reading from the spectrophotometer and
compared the reading with Calibration Table for Chlorine Test to obtain the
value of chlorine content in ppm.

pH
Hazen/ Colour
Fluoride
Reagents:
1. SPANDS solution
Apparatus:
1. Test tube
2. spectrophotometer
Procedure:
1. Turn on the spectrophotometer.
2. Warm up until the spectrophotometer is stable( normally 15 – 30mins).
3. Set the wavelength
4. Put the Reference Solution into sample compartment.
5. Press the “0 ABS/ 100% T” key.
(a) Preparation of sample for fluoride determination
6. Measure 10 ml of water sample and pour into 50 ml dry test tube. Then add 2
ml of SPADNS Solution and mixed.
7. Transfer the sample to a spectrophotometer sample cell and raed the
“ABSORBANCE” reading from display of the spectrophotometer and
compare the reading to the calibration table provided.

Total Chloride
Apparatus:
 1. Burette
2. Measuring Cylinder 100 ml
3. Conical Flask 250 ml
4. Pipette 1 ml

Reagents:
1. Potassium Chromate Indicator
2. Silver Nitrate

Procedure:
1. Place 50 ml of the sample in a conical flask, add 1 ml of potassium chromate
solution and titrate with silver nitrate solution with constant stirring until there
is the slightest perceptible reddish coloration die to the formation of silver
chromate.

2. Subtract 0.2 ml from titration figure to allow the excess of reagent required to
form silver chromate. If a water sample requires more than 25 ml of silver
nitrate solution, repeat the determination with suitable dilution

Determination of total Chloride

Total Chloride = [(titre – 0.20/ 0.2]ppm

Total Alkalinity
Apparatus:
1. Burette 25 ml
2. Conical Flask 250 ml
3. Pipette 1 ml
4. Measuring Cylinder 200 ml

Reagents:
1. Sulphuric Acid N/10
2. Methyl Orange Indicator

Procedure:
1. Measure 125 ml of the sample into a conical flask. Add a few drops of methyl
orange indicator and mix.

2. Titrate over a white surface with N/10 standard acid to the proper equivalence
point. The indicator change to orange at pH 4.6 and pink at 4.0.

3. The endpoint is very faint orange while the comparison blank is constant
yellow.

Determination of Alkalinity
Total Alkalinity = (titrant x 4)ppm
Total Hardness
Apparatus:
1. Burette 50 ml
2. Conical Flask 100 ml
3. Measuring Cylinder 25 ml
4. pipette 1 ml
Reagents:
1. EDTA Solution
2. Buffer Solution
3. Solochrome Black Indicator
Procedure:
1. Measure 25 ml of the sample into a conical flask, add 0.5 ml of buffer solution and
mix. Then add 1-2 drops of indicator solution and mix. The solution alternatively
magnesium ion.

2. For exceptionally hard water, the indicator solution should be added before the
addition of buffer solution.

3. Titrate immediately with standard EDTA titrant 0.005M with continuous mixing.
The colour changes from purple to blue at end point.

4. Do not allow the time taken for the titration to exceed five minutes after adding the
buffer solution.

Determination of total hardness

Total Hardness = (tire x 0.20)ppm
TDS
Apparatus:
1. Total Dissolved Solids Meter (ORION Model 124)
Procedure:
1. Switch on the ON/OFF switch.

2. Pressure the ppm mode for TDS measurement in ppm.

3. Put the electrode into the water sample.

4. Take the reading displayed on the meter.

5. Remove from the water sample and clean it with distilled water.