RECENT EFFORTS IN INDUSTRIALWASTEWATER REGULATION (POLLUTIONLOAD CONTROL) IN WEPA COUNTRIESTOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD(TMDL): THE MALAYSIA CHAPTERANG SHIN YINGNATIONAL HYDRAULIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE OFMALAYSIA (NAHRIM)WEPA INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT6 FEBRUARY 2020
BANGKOKPRESENTATION OUTLINE• INTRODUCTION• WHY TMDL IN MALAYSIA?
• MALAYSIA EXPERIENCE IN TMDL
• THE TMDL DEFINITION• THE TMDL FORMULA• THE TMDL PROCESS• TMDL: A CASE STUDY AT SG SEMENYIHCATCHMENT, SELANGOR• CHALLENGES AND WAY FORWARD

INTRODUCTION

Regulation/ Control of Effluent Discharge
Environmental Quality Act 1974
Control of pollution from targeted industrial sectors (throughend-of-pipe control)• Environmental Quality (Prescribed Premises) (Crude Palm Oil)Regulations 1977
• Environmental Quality (Prescribed Premises) (Raw Natural Rubber)
Regulations 1978
• Environmental Quality (Sewage and Industrial Effluent) Regulations
1979

Post-2008:• Environmental Quality (Industrial Effluent) Regulations 2009
• Environmental Quality (Sewage) Regulations 2009

Trend of the River Water Quality inMalaysia (2008 – 2017)100579

577

600

570

80464

7060

595853477477

5858477477

400

51514743383634500

585040477477

32300

3936344643

3530200

201013892008

20091088620112012

2013

7101120162017

Total Number of River

Percentage Number of River (%)

90700

100002010

2014

2015

YearClean

Slightly Polluted

Polluted

Total Number of River

The percentage of clean river nationwide dropped from 58% in 2008 to 46% in 2017

WHY TMDL IN MALAYSIA?

MALAYSIA EXPERIENCE IN TMDL
• Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) - TMDL
Study for River of Life (ROL) – 2018
• Johor Water Regulatory Authority (BAKAJ) – TMDL on
Rivers between Malaysia and Singapore (Proposed)• National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia(NAHRIM) - TMDL for Melaka River• Department of Environment (DOE) – 11th MP Development and Implementation of Total Maximum
Daily Load (TMDL): a case study at Sg. Semenyih andSg. Beranang (2016 – 2018)• Selangor Water Management Agency (LUAS) – Rivers
Basin in Selangor e.g. Sg. Selangor (Proposed)• Universities – TMDL for Melaka River BasinTMDL DEFINITION• Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) – to describe themaximum amount of a pollutant can be acceptedby a river on a daily basis, but the same time still
maintaining the water quality standards (Abdillahet al., 2016).
• TMDL is the sum of individual waste loadallocations (WLA) for point sources and loadallocation (LA) for non-point sources, so that
assimilative capacity of capacity of water body in
not exceeded (Abdillah et al., 2016)

THE TMDL FORMULA

Source of pollution: Point Sources(Waste Load Allocation) (WLA)

Source: JAS, 2019

Source of pollution: Non-Point Sources(Load Allocation) (LA)

Source: JAS, 2019

THE TMDL PROCESS• STEP 1: Identify Beneficial Uses of Water• STEP 2: Agree on Water Quality Targets• STEP 3: Assess Current Water Quality Status• STEP 4: Determine Water Quality Impairments• STEP 5: Identify Pollution Sources and Loads• STEP 6: Model Relationship between Pollution Loads vs.
Impairment• STEP 7: Determine Required Load Reductions to Meet Targets• STEP 8: Agree on Pollution Load Allocation for Pollution Sources(WLA & LA)• STEP 9: Develop Strategies and Actions to Reduce WLA & LA
where requiredTHE TMDL PROCESS
A. Identify Beneficial Uses

C. Assess Water Quality
StatusB. Set Water Quality
Target(s)Eg: Class II

D. Determine Impairments(B-C)

Water Quality Model

E. Identify Polluters(Types & Loads)

F. Develop & Calibrate
Baseline Modela. Normal Flowb. Low Flowc. High Flow
G. Test Water Quality
target Scenarios

J. Distribute Load
Reduction Among
Polluters (I/E)
Stakeholder Consultation

I. TMDL = WLA + LA + MOS

H. Calculate Allowable
Load TO Meet Targets(G-F)

Total Maximum Daily Load(TMDL): A Case Study at Sg.
Semenyih Catchment, Selangor
Source: DOE, 2019

Source: DOE, 2019

Step 1: Identify Beneficial Uses of Water-Conducting Field Surveys at river catchment of study

Source: DOE, 2019

Source: DOE, 2019

Step 2: Setting Water Quality Target

Source: DOE, 2019

Source: DOE, 2019

How to Decide Water Quality Target?
Determine the Beneficial
Uses & Baseline River
Water Quality

Site Visit
Field Survey Study
Conduct Baseline River Sampling

Refer to NWQS & selectWQ Target Class based on
Beneficial Uses

If >2 Beneficial Uses; choose the more
stringent WQ Class
Look into the main beneficial uses
Main beneficial uses – water supply max WQ target class is Class III

Determine Buffer Distance
between changes of WQClasses







River capacity (site visit)
Literature review

Source: DOE, 2019

Step 3: Assess Current Water Quality Status

Step 4: Determine Water Quality Impairments• Impairment – water body fail to meet one or morewater quality standards• Unable to fulfil designated uses
Water Quality Results(sampling/ monitoring)Compare with water quality targets

Same or better

WorseImpaired

Water Quality Impairments

Step 5: Identify Pollution Sources and Loads
Point Sources• Point source development – desktop study, info from related
agencies, site visit• Point sources inventory• Point sources sampling (quality and flow measurement)• Point sources loading calculation
Non-point Sources• Categorization of landuse• Factors to be considered during non-point sources sampling– site selection, safety, rainfall forecast, sampling team,sampling method, polluting parameters to be monitored• Non-point source sampling methodPollution Loading FormulaEvent Mean Concentration (EMC)

EMC Value

NPS Loading Calculation

POLLUTION LOADING (NPS) – SEMENYIH RIVER
CATCHMENT
Existing

Land use

COD

BOD

Semenyih Catchment

Future

NH3-N

TSS

COD

(tonne/year)

BOD

NH3-N

TSS

(tonne/year)

Forest

830

185

3.06

223

796

178

2.93

214

Industry

2,369

326

16.94

2,802

3,699

510

26.5

4,386

Residential

1,662

307

12.51

2,193

9,495

1,752

71.5

12,535

Infrastructure &Utilities

197

36

1.48

260

233

43

1.75

307

Commercial

211

36

1.34

193666114

4.22605

Institution & PublicAmenities

1,877

321

11.90

1,707

2,386

408

4.80

2,167

Transportation

1,132

535

-

7,045

1,214

573

-

7,549

Agriculture

3,242

502

19.42

41,913

1,617

250

9.69

20,894

Open Space,Recreation or Vacant
Land

711

156

1.97

2,493

350

76.5

0.972

1,228

TOTAL

12,231

2,404

69

58,82820,4553,904

122

49,886

POLLUTION LOADING (NPS) – BERANANG RIVER
CATCHMENTLand use

Existing
COD

Beranang Catchment

BOD

Future

NH3-N

TSS

COD

BOD

(tonne/year)

NH3-N

TSS

(tonne/year)

Forest

502

112

1.85

135

504

112

1.86

135

Industry2,230

307

15.9

2,647

2,299

317

16.4

2,719

Residential

3,104

572

23.4

4,097

10,851

2,001

81.6

14,308

Infrastructure &Utilities

955

176

7.19

1,260

756

139

5.69

997

Commercial

561

96

3.55

510

956

163

6.06

970

Institution & Public
Amenities

813

139

5.15

740

750

128

5.49

683

Transportation

1,757

830

-

10,913

1,752

829

-

10,894Agriculture

4,692

728

28.1

60,710

3,058

474

18.3

39,490Open Space,
Recreation or Vacant
Land

372

82

1.03

1,305

132

290.367

464

TOTAL

14,9853,041

86

82,31821,0594,19213670,560

Step 6: Model Relationship between Pollution
Loads vs. Impairments
Water Quality Modelling• Simulate the fate of pollutants and state of selectedwater quality variables in water bodies• Types of water quality models: e.g.

Water Quality
Analysis Simulation
Program (WASP)

Dilution Models for Effluent Discharges

WATER QUALITY MODELLING

Model of choice is QUAL2K• One-dimensional stream water quality model – suitablefor Sg. Semenyih at is a non-tidal river• Open source (public domain) software• Model’s data requirement relatively less complex• Compatible with the Microsoft Office Platform• Widely and commonly used as a planning tool in riverwater quality management• Robust enough to assess a wide range of pollutants
and in different receiving waters

WATER QUALITY MODELLING – QUAL2K

WATER QUALITY MODELLING – QUAL2K
MODEL CALIBRATIONModelling ApproachStep 7: Determine Required Load
Reductions to Meet Targets
Input Pollution Load

Water Quality Simulation

Comparison of Simulation Results withWater Quality Targets

NoProcess Flow of Load
Reduction Simulation(Impact Scenario)

Is the Water
Quality
Target(s) Met?
YesWaste Load AllocationStep 8: Agree on Pollution
Load Allocation for Pollution
Sources (WLA & LA)Step 9: Develop Strategies and Actions
to Reduce WLA and LA where required
1. Conceptual Framework
1. Declare a Water Catchment or River Stretch for theImplementation of TMDL (either already impaired orat risk of impairment)
2. Mandate the Development of a TMDL Implementation
Plan for the Declared Areas
3. Develop regulation to impose limitations on thedischarge of effluent or wastes from any premise in
the form of permissible pollution load

2. Point Sources of Pollution
A. Infrastructure Implement upgrading programme for wastewater
treatment facilities
 Implement connection programme to centralized
wastewater treatment facilities
 Implement pre-treatment systems for wet markets
 Implement maintenance programme i.e. septic tankdesludging programme
B. Best Management Practices

3. Non-Point Sources of Pollution
A. Infrastructure Implement requirement for sediment detention ponds
for agriculture Implement constructed wetlands as runoff controlled
system Introduce water sensitive urban design
 Rehabilitate river banks with failure risks
B. Best Management Practices

4. Awareness-Raising & Public OutreachExamples: Improve information and visibility
 Conduct awareness programmes
 Conduct river clean-up and beautification
 Initiate corporate social responsibility programmes

5. Monitoring and Assessment
 Establish new river water quality monitoring stations
 Establish new pollution/ effluent monitoring stations
 Increase frequency of water quality monitoring Establish long-term monitoring stations for non-point
sources of pollution
 Incorporate flow measurements in water quality
monitoring Establish comprehensive inventory of pollution sources

6. Stakeholders-Involvement of all stakeholders and levels-e.g. Department of environment, Department of Fisheries,DID, Department of Land and Mines, Department ofVeterinary Services, SPAN, National Water Council, MPOB,Malaysian Rubber Board, MOA, MOE, MESTECC, KATS,
State governments, state water management authority, local
authorities
Implementing TMDLCHALLENGES AND WAY FORWARD
TMDL/ WLAs/ LAs/ Implementation in Malaysia
Medium to longterm measures

Immediatemeasures

Water Quality
Improvement

Water Quality
Preservation/ Pollution
Prevention

Basin Wide
TMDL
implementation
for Existing
Pollution Source

WLAs and LAs for
New Pollution
Sources using
Existing or newRegulatoryMechanisms

River Rehab./TMDL Studies•••

EIAs
Written Approvals
LicensesSet Water Quality
Target(Beneficial Useor Baseline)

Challenges for TMDL Implementation
1. Lack of sufficient data to characterize thewatershed and pollutant sources throughmodelling and/ or monitoring activities
2. Lack of monitoring data to reflect water quality
improvement
3. Lack of communication and coordination
between local governments and responsible
agencies
4. Lack of commitment from stakeholders
5. Lack of funding
6. Infrastructure with older technology – notefficient

The Way Forward
1. Setting Water Quality Targets• Beneficial use will change from one point/ segment to the next in
the river basin• More pragmatic to assign water quality objectives and targets for
specific river stretches
2. Prescription of WLAs and Las are done right away for new/upcoming developments• Implementation via existing mechanisms such as EIAs, operating
licenses, etc.
• Centralised STPs. IETPs• Advanced/ Polishing systems• Diversion of effluent (to downstream reaches, different rivers,marine outfall)• Riparian zone preservation, restoration and other BMPs (NPScontrol)

The Way Forward
3. Inter-agency co-operations and coordination
between federal and state levels• Watershed and catchment management in Malaysia isspread across several agencies• Need co-operations from all agencies in the state andfederal level
4. Water Quality Standards• Some discrepancies of standards developed bydifferent agencies• Water Quality Index (WQI) is not indicative of thebeneficial uses of the particular water body
• Should be parameter based/ priority pollutants inrelation to designated use

The Way Forward
5. Setting the Mechanisms• Review current regulatory provisions to include TMDL
capabilities• Pollution sources not under EQA 1974
• Control of non-point sources and illegal sources
6. Development of TMDL Implementation Strategies• Initial stage – target critical or priority pollutants first• Choose river/ stream that is not too big• Data gathering: water quality data, hydraulic data (Q,H, W, v), pollution inventory and pollution load
• Gap analysis – missing data, missing info

REFERENCES• Abdillah, N., Yahaya, E.M., Mat Jusoh, A., Md Zali, H., Abdullah Sani, K.S.,
Puteh Ariffin, K.A. & Daud, A. (2016). Research on Total Maximum Daily Load(TMDL) at Sg. Melaka and its Catchment toward the Balance of River Systemand Sustainability of the Environment. Proceedings Malaysia-Korea Seminaron Healthy River Basin. 17 & 18 February 2016, Seri Pacific Hotel, Kuala
Lumpur. National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM).
• DOE (2019). Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Approach for Sustainable
Pollution Management Training Module. 30 September – 4 October 2019.
Environment Institute of Malaysia, Department of Environment, Malaysia.
• JAS (2019). Kesan Pencemaran Sumber Air – Kualiti Air Sungai: Trend dan
Sumber Pencemaran. Seminar Pencemaran Sungai dan Impak Terhadap
Bekalan Air di Malaysia. Available online:
https://www.span.gov.my/document/upload/d1AlxA55ShVqov1MLICXqMxWCqsbY2FB.pdf

THANK YOU!