COMPLETION REPORTThe application of Japanese concept in developing an integrated water resource management andrestoration in highland area for Malaysia
Dr. Sharifah Norkhadijah Syed Ismail (+1)
Fac. of Medicine and Health Sciences UPM
Senior Lecturer

Introduction: This research assessed the effects of extensive agriculture activities in the upstream area of Bertamriver, in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. The major concern arises and widely discussed is the risk of drinking
water contamination in the area from the rampant agriculture and tourism activities. Method: Sampling activities
were done twice during wet (September 2017) and dry season (March 2018). Water and sediment samples taken
were evaluated for physicochemical parameters and heavy metals concentration. Heavy metals were tested usingICPMS. The health risk assessment was calculated to identify the potential risk of metal toward human healththrough river water ingestion. The contamination factor (CF), index of geo-accumulation (Igeo) and pollution loadindex (PLI) of studied metals on the river sediment were calculated for ecological risk assessment. Results: Ingeneral, the water quality was found to be poorer during wet season compared to dry season and obvious
movement of pollutant from the upstream was obtained and prominent at the downstream area of the river. The pH
value of the river water ranged from neutral to slightly acidic (5.81-7.01) and the overall mean of turbidity(109.94 NTU ± 160.73) and E. coli (5191.00 CFU ± 14937.42), were exceeded the Malaysian Drinking Water
Quality Standard. The NH3-N content also exceeds the standard by fourfold (0.85 mg/L ± 0.54). The river water
also content high total suspended solid (TSS) value of 82.01 mg/L ± 104.49. All of this possibly was caused byextreme precipitation that increase the river bank and steep hill slopes erosion. Consequently, it has caused large
amount of sediment to be transported which deteriorated the river water quality, nutrient loss and also influence theelevation of major metal transport within water column. The assessment of water samples during wet season hasobtained the concentration of heavy metals have exceeded the standard value. The heavy metals concentration
were in the following order of; Iron (Fe) >Aluminium (Al) >Copper (Cu) > Zinc (Zn) > Lead (Pb) > Cadmium(Cd). The non-carcinogenic health risk for adult and children from daily consumption of water within the study
area was within an acceptable risk. However, significant potential cancer risk from Cd exposure in the study area,
which higher among male (3.06 x 10-3) compared to female (2.98 x 10-3) and children (4.92 x 10-3). The ecologicalrisk indication through CF, Igeo, and PLI were <1 which indicating that there were low contamination risk ofsediment by studied metals in the study area. This possibly was influenced by the sediment characteristic where thepercentage of sand is 93.89%. Conclusion: Overall, results have shown extensive agriculture activities in the
upstream area of Bertam river has caused significant impact to the water quality of this area and significant healthrisk. Study recommendations: Ongoing efforts and strategies to mitigate the problem is needed for example
through efficient and strict law enforcement, frequent and continuous monitoring for illegal land clearing for
agriculture activities, continuous monitoring of sustainable and good agriculture practices, and civic awarenessamong local communities especially farmers to dispose organic agricultural wastes and pesticide bottles to proper
places and not into the river.

Publication of the Results of Research Project:
Verbal Presentation (Date, Venue, Name of Conference, Title of Presentation, Presenter, etc.)
Date: March 2019
Venue: Malaysia
Name of conference: International conference of Public Health
Title presentation: The effects of agriculture activity in Cameron Highland towards human healthPresenter: Sharifah Norkhadijah Syed Ismail
Date: Sept 2019
Venue: AustraliaName of conference: Ecological risk
Title presentation: Ecological risk effects from rampant agriculture activity in Cameron Highland
Presenter: Sharifah Norkhadijah Syed Ismail
Date: Dec 2019
Venue: Malaysia
Name of conference: Environmental health summit
Title presentation: The effects of extensive agriculture activity in Cameron Highland towards water quality ofBertam river
Presenter: Sharifah Norkhadijah Syed Ismail

Thesis (Name of Journal and its Date, Title and Author of Thesis, etc.)
1) Name of Journal: Ecological Processes
Date: May 2018
Title: Land use change in highland area and its impact on river water quality: a review of case studies inMalaysia
Authors: Azlini Razali, Sharifah Norkhadijah Syed Ismail, Suriyani Awang, Sarva Mangala Praveena, andEmilia Zainal Abidin2) Name of Journal: Malaysian Journal of Medicine & Health Science
Date: July 2018
Title: Heavy metals contamination and potential health risk in highland river watershed (Malaysia)
Authors: Azlini Razali, Sharifah Norkhadijah Syed Ismail, Suriyani Awang, Sarva Mangala Praveena, andEmilia Zainal Abidin3) Name of Journal: Chemosphere
Date: SubmittedTitle: Assessment of spatial and seasonal water quality variation of Bertam River using multivariate
statistical techniques and its association with health risk
Authors: Azlini Razali, Sharifah Norkhadijah Syed Ismail, Suriyani Awang, Sarva Mangala Praveena, andEmilia Zainal AbidinBook (Publisher and Date of the Book, Title and Author of the Book, etc.)
Publisher: UPM Press
Date of the book: submitted (Dec 2018)
Title: The effect of rampant agriculture activity to Cameron Highland
Author: Sharifah Norkhadijah Syed Ismail and Azlini Razali