Managing River Water Quality Index: A Malaysian Case Study

The past few years have seen several issues that have led to the widespread concerns for the river environment in Malaysia. There has been inadequate supply of water in the big cities, unexpected floods threatening human lives and property, and the image of the country has been affected because of this recurring problem. This paper will discuss on the proposal to clean-up Penchala river in Kuala Lumpur. Penchala river is a tributary of the Klang River and passes through several important townships. Water Quality Index derived from parameters measured by the Department of Environment of Malaysia will be the bench-mark used to assess the severity of pollution condition in Penchala river. Proposed clean-up methods include public participation, engineering and river works and strict regulation by government. It is hoped that efforts from stakeholders can be harnessed to strive for a healthier Penchala River in the future.