WATER QUALITY ISSUES IN WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AT KENYIR LAKE, MALAYSIA

Abstract

Water resources management in Malaysia is the most important aspect that needs to be addressed. When water resources management can be managed in a systematic and effectively it can produce a good quality and clean water without any pollution. The objective of this study is to review water quality issues in the Kenyir Lake Basin and to identify the relationship between river discharges (Q) and the water quality status in Kenyir Lake Basin. Six water quality parameters were analyzed based on in-situ and ex-situ analysis and laboratory analyses were carried out according to the correlation matrix and linear regression methods. According to the NWQS, the water quality in Kenyir Lake Basin varied temporally and spatially and the most affected parameters were pH, DO, BOD, COD, TSS and AN. Furthermore, the water quality class in the Kenyir Lake Basin was classified under class II caused by the active land use activities especially tourism sector but it is still suitable for recreational activities and safe for body contact because the it’s WQI is not less than 65% which early stage of Class II. From this study, there are proposed several mitigation measures in management of water resources such as guarantee clean water supply and continuous, implementation a few of environmental acts, treating the water sources, develop alternative water sources and improve distribution systems and water management.