As a stakeholder, SPLASH contributes to the conservation of Sungai Selangor and its associated biodiversity by complementing and supporting the role of Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (LUAS) in managing the Sungai Selangor river basin.
SPLASH installed 3 telemetric river water monitoring stations complete with early warning system at strategically selected locations along the Sungai Selangor, between the SSP3 Dam and the Intake points at Bukit Badong.
The objectives of this system are to:
- Enable continuous monitoring of river water quality
- Provide early warning to water operators and relevant agencies like LUAS and the Department of Environment of potential raw water quality violations
- Avoid disruption of treated water production by early detection of high pollution levels
- Map out the pollution trend of the river in respect of pollutant types and concentration levels
- Provide information to LUAS and other related agencies of the state of Selangor in the event that increased pollution loads are detected
The unmanned river monitoring system that is put in place consists of automated sampling and sample analyses systems, housed in a station, which is just a purpose built building with power supplies and communications equipment.
The sampling system regularly collects river water samples at preset intervals by means of a submersible pump. The raw water sample is then piped to the station, where it is drawn into the sampler. Parameters are measured through various probes, and the results are recorded into a database. The data is then transmitted using the communications link to the Command Centre that is located at the water treatment works at Rasa. The data is then used by the operations personnel to assess the condition of the river water and decide on the appropriate actions to be taken. The parameters measured are based on the current raw water quality, which is related to present activities and the expected future activities within the river basin. This include:
- pH
- Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
- Turbidity
- Ammonia
- Oil and grease
- Colour
These parameters were selected because:
- The parameters affect the efficiency and effectiveness of the treatment process at the water treatment works
- COD is an indicator for pollution
- Turbidity provides an indication of the suspended and dissolved solids content in the raw water
- Ammonia indicates the level of pollution caused by sewage discharge and fertiliser application
- Oil and grease indicate industrial and domestic discharges
The river monitoring stations are located between 2 to 4 km upstream of the Rasa and Batang Berjuntai intakes, which allow a lead time of about 1 to 2 hours.
Apart from advance warning of pollution threats to the operators of the water treatment works, the data collected is stored in a database so that trends of pollution levels can be continuously monitored and analysed. This real time information/data captured can also be accessed from Bukit Badong SSP3 Treatment Plant Command Centre, SPLASH Headquarters in Petaling Jaya and LUAS office in Shah Alam. The information gained would also be useful and can be made available to other relevant Government agencies for enforcement purposes.
