Engineered Water and Wastewater Systems

• Engineered water and wastewater systems involve a designed infrastructure and processes for efficient and sustainable water and wastewater management.
• These systems are based on engineering principles, which ensure water quality, safety, and environmental compliance.
• Malaysia features a comprehensive regulatory framework concerning water and wastewater management.
• Key regulations ensure safe drinking water, effective wastewater treatment, flood control, and environmental sustainability.

Components of an Engineered Water System

• Water supply systems include sources like rivers, lakes and groundwater.
• Water Treatment Plants purify raw water for safe consumption through processes like filtration, disinfection, and desalination.
• The Distribution Network uses pipes,pumps and reservoirs to deliver water to consumers.
• Pressure management ensures adequate pressure for domestic, industrial, and firefighting use.
• Monitoring and Control uses SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems for real-time monitoring.

Components of an Engineered Wastewater System

• Collection Systems feature sewer pipelines that transport wastewater from homes and industries to treatment plants.
• Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) employ primary, secondary, and tertiary treatments to remove contaminants.
• Sludge Treatment and Disposal involves processes such as digestion, dewatering, and incineration of sludge.
• Effluent Discharge and Reuse involves treated water being safely discharged into the environment or reused for irrigation.
• Stormwater Management includes detention basins, drainage systems, and infiltration methods to prevent flooding.

Importance of Engineered Systems

• They provide public health protection by preventing waterborne diseases.
• They promote environmental sustainability by reducing pollution and conserving resources.
• These systems ensure regulatory compliance, meeting national and international water quality standards.
• There is economic development through support for industries, agriculture, and urban growth.
• These engineered systems are crucial in urban and rural areas.
• The systems ensure clean water access and wastewater management while limiting environmental impact.

Malaysian Constitution

• The Federal List relates to matters that the parliament may create laws for
• The State List relates to issues the State Legislature may create laws for
• The Concurrent List means both the Federal Parliament and State Legislature can create laws

Drinking Water Standards (Malaysia)

• These standards are in place to ensure potable water is safe for consumption in Malaysia.

National Drinking Water Quality Standard (NDWQS) (MOH, 2019)

• The NDWQS was established by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH).
• It specifies permissible limits for physical, chemical, microbiological, and radiological parameters in drinking water.
• The standard is based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality.
• Key parameters include physical (turbidity, color, taste, odor), chemical (pH, chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals), microbiological (E. coli, total coliform bacteria), and radiological (radon, uranium) aspects.

Malaysian Standard MS 1500:2009 - Drinking Water Quality

• Sets minimum standards for potable water quality in Malaysia.
• Ensure compliance in water supply, treatment and distribution.
• Complements NDWQS requirements.

Malaysian Standard MS 2300:2010 - Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for Bottled Drinking Water

• It regulates bottled water production, ensuring hygienic processing and packaging.
• This standard specifies filtration, sterilization, and packaging requirements.

MWA Design Guidelines for Water Supply System

• There are 16 sections in the guidelines
• SECTION 1 covers the feasibility study
• SECTION 2 covers the design low flow estimation
• SECTION 3 covers the water quality
• SECTION 4 covers the Groundwater investigation
• SECTION 5 covers the Water demand
• SECTION 6 covers the Water treatment processes
• SECTION 7 covers the Intake works
• SECTION 8 covers the Aeration and mixing devices
• SECTION 9 covers the Flocculation and sedimentation tanks
• SECTION 10 covers the Filters
• SECTION 11 covers the Treatment plant layout
• SECTION 12 covers the Mechanical equipment and installation
• SECTION 13 covers the Electrical equipment and installation
• SECTION 14 covers the Water distribution system
• SECTION 15 covers the Storage tanks and reservoir
• SECTION 16 covers the Water supply plumbing system

Wastewater and Sewerage Standards

• The standards oversee sewage treatment, discharge limits, and industrial effluent control.

Environmental Quality (Sewage and Industrial Effluents) Regulations 2009

• Issued under the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
• Sets discharge limits for domestic and industrial wastewater into rivers and coastal waters.
• Effluent Quality Standards include Standard A (for discharge into inland waters), and Standard B (for discharge into marine or estuarine waters).
• Key Parameters include: Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Ammonia, Heavy Metals.

Malaysian Sewerage Industry Guidelines

• There are 8 sections to the standards.
• Section 1 presents the Introduction, and General Planning Requirements.
• Section 2 presents the Design Overview.
• Section 3 presents the Sewage Characteristics & Effluent Discharge Requirements.
• Section 4 presents the Requirements for Physical Design.
• Section 5 presents the Requirements for Individual Treatment Processes.
• Section 6 presents the Requirements for Ancillary Facilities.
• Section 7 presents the Special Requirements.
• Section 8 presents the Package Sewage Treatment Plant.

Industrial Effluent and Wastewater Reuse Standards

• These regulations confirm industrial wastewater is treated properly before discharge or reuse.

Environmental Quality (Industrial Effluent) Regulations 2009

• Establishes effluent discharge standards for industries.
• Requires industries to install treatment systems before releasing wastewater into rivers or drains.

Malaysian Sewerage Industry Guidelines - SPAN

• Specifies quality requirements for using treated wastewater for industrial cooling, washing, and landscaping.
• Promotes water conservation and sustainability.

Stormwater and Flood Management Standards

• These standards ensure effective urban drainage and flood mitigation.

Urban Stormwater Management Manual (MSMA 2nd Edition, 2012)

• The Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) developed the manual.
• It introduces the Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) approach.
• It promotes rainwater harvesting, green infrastructure, and flood control measures.

Malaysian Standard MS 2526-7:2014 – Urban Stormwater Management

• Provides guidelines for urban drainage planning and flood mitigation.

Groundwater and Irrigation Standards

• These standards focus on groundwater management and agricultural water use.

Water Act 1920 (Act 418)

• This Act governs water abstraction from rivers and groundwater sources.
• Ensures sustainable groundwater usage.

Irrigation Areas Act 1953 (Act 386)

• Regulates water allocation for paddy fields and agricultural irrigation.
• Managed by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID).

Fisheries and Environmental Protection Standards

• These standards prevent water pollution from affecting aquatic ecosystems.

Fisheries Act 1985 (Act 317)

• Regulates wastewater discharge into rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.
• Prevents pollution that could harm fish populations and aquatic habitats.

Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005

• Controls disposal of hazardous industrial wastewater.
• Ensures safe handling of toxic and chemical waste from factories.

Development with international law

• Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer 1990 was ratified on 14 September 1993.
• Amendment to the Montreal Protocol o Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer 1992 was ratified on 14 June 1994.
• United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity 1992 was ratified on 22 September 1994.
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1992 was ratified on 11 October 1994.
• Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1997 was ratified on 4 September 2000.
• Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat 1971 was ratified on 10 March 1995.
• Basel Convention on the Control of Trans boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal 1989 was ratified on 8 January 1995.
• International Tropical Timber Agreement 1994 was ratified on 1 January 1997.
• International Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa 1994 was ratified on 26 December 1996.

Conclusion

• Malaysia features a comprehensive framework of standards and regulations for water supply, wastewater management, stormwater control, and environmental protection.
• These ensure safe drinking water, pollution control, flood prevention, and sustainable water resources.
• Key factors for effective water management include ongoing monitoring, enforcement, and technological advancements.