Assessment of water quality index in lake ecosystem

Water is an important element that profoundly influence the living organisms. When water resources management is systematically and efficiently managed, it produces clean water sources without pollution. Therefore, it is very essential to assess the water quality status for assuring the good quality of water to the consumer. The objective of the study is to identify the status of water quality index in the catchment ecosystem of UniSZA Lake, Terengganu. Six water samplings were carried out for each two weeks during dry season where six parameters were measured and Malaysian Department of Environment-Water Quality Index (DOE-WQI) was calculated and classified based on the Interim National Water Quality Standards, Malaysia (INWQS). Results for chemicals parameters for dissolved oxygen range from 1.24 to 16.76 mg/L, biochemical oxygen demand range from 0.41 to 3.20 mg/L, chemical oxygen demand range from 18.67 to 111.33 mg/L, and ammoniacal nitrogen range from 0.05 to 10.03 mg/L. Results for physical parameters for total suspended solid range from 1.40 to 117.0 mg/L and pH range from 6.29 to 9.94. Overall, the WQI calculated for UniSZA Lake falls in Class II and Class III means that it is safe for recreational body contact and could support aquatic organism.