TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Acknowledgement
II. Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 A Brief Organization Background
1.2 Organization Chart
2. Tasks
2.1 Summary of Tasks
2.2 Process flow
2.3 Sampling
2.4 Parameters
2.5 Parameter In situ
2.6 Parameter Ex situ
2.6.1 Physical Parameters
2.6.2 Chemical Parameters
2.6.3 Bacteriological Parameters
2.7 Project
2.7.1 Fluoride: The impact of fluoride in water (usage, consumption and handling)
III. Recommendation
IV. Conclusion
V. References
VI. Appendices

I.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank the Water Department of Sabah for selecting me to do internship
with their organization which is at Pusat Makmal Air Putatan and also Sir Haji Majid bin
Kapili for choosing me to do my in ternship under his division which is under the Lab
and Water Quality Control. Besides, I would like to thank my supervisor Mdm. Beatrice
Velentine Egol and also the staffs for their guidance during my internship at Pusat
Makmal Air Putatan. I would like to thank my visitng lecturer, Prof. Norazah for
evaluating us and also giving advice on what to do when we start class. Finally, thank
you to my colleagues, my family and also other people involved in supporting me and
also providing me knowledge throughout this internship period.

1. INTRODUCTION
Sabah State Water Department (JANS)
1.1 A Brief Background of Sabah State Water Department (JANS)
Water supply was managed under the State Hydraulics of Sabah Public Works
Department. Then finally at January 1.1988, the Ministry of Infrastructure established
Sabah State Water Department which is then operated under the state ordinance,
Water Supply Enactment 2003 which replaces the previous department to manage
water supply and quality in Sabah.
June 1991, this is the year where the Central Laboratory of Sabah State Water
Department was established and is located in Putatan district until now. It functions to
analyze the quality of water supply from the intake to the distributed water to consumers
across the state.
This laboratory is provided with complete equipment to analyze water quality however
those that are involved with heavy metals will be sent directly to the Chemical
Department or is being sent to other institutions for further analysis.

1.2 Organization Chart

2. Tasks
2.1 Summary of Tasks
Date
15-19 July

22-26 July

29-3 August
5-7 August
12-16 August
19-23 August
26-30 August

2-6 September
9-13 September
16-20 September

Activities
Meeting with Mr.Haji Majid Makapili
for a briefing at JANS headquarters
Start first day internship at the
laboratory
Given a briefing by the supervisor
about laboratory testing and mini
project was given
Chlorine test was conducted
Bacteriological test was also
conducted
Visited and briefed about the water
treatment process flow at
Membakut and Beaufort water
treatment plant
Jar test was observed as conducted
by the lab personnel
Bacteriological test
Visit and collecting samples at
Papar water treatment plant and
surrounding area
Fluoride test was conducted
Hazen, Turbidity and Chloride test
was conducted.
Total Hardness test was conducted
Nitrate test was conducted
Alkalinity test conducted
Meeting with Mr.Haji Majid Makapili
for a review on the tasks done
Last meeting appointment on the
last week of intern
pH testing conducted
Ferum tests was conducted
Fluoride test was conducted
Aluminium tests was conducted
Ammonia tests was conducted
Presentation of industrial training

experience to visiting lecturer, Prof

Norazah
2.2 Process Flow
Water Treatment Plant
The process started with raw water being channeled to the plant .This water is from
either rivers,dam or natural catchments which is called the intake. The water is pumped
to the plant passing through a screened pipeline which separates larger particles from
the water.The screen is located at the bottom of the river before plant entrance to
separate debris while other is at the surface below to filter out oils or other foreign
materials into the plant.
After that process, the water will be sent to the plant by pumps or by gavity which will
then proceed to the next process.
The process are summarized as follows:

2.3 Sampling
1. Before sampling is done, the sampling station pipe will be let open for awhile in
case of a muddy or cloudy water, let it flow for a longer time.
2. Then fill in the water into respective bottles after rinsing it first
3. There are two bottles one is for chemical and physical tests while the other
where the pipe is sterilized before collecting is the bacteriological water sampling
bottle.
4. The bottles are then labeled based on the sampling station code.

2.4 Parameters
2.5 Parameter Ex situ
a. pH
1. 10ml water is taken and poured into the pH cell.
2. Phenol tablet is added and is let to dissolve.
3. The colour is then compared with the Lovibond pH Colour Meter.
b. Chlorine Residue
1. 10ml water is filled in the sampling cell
2. DPD tablets are added and is also compared using a Lovibond comparator for
chlorine.
3. All results are recorded in a form.
2.6 Parameter In Situ
2.6.1 Physical parameters
a. Turbidity test
1. Water sample is poured into sample cell.
2. The sample is placed into the cell holder of the Turbid meter and light
shield is closed.
3. Record the reading displayed.
b. Hazen test
1. Water sample is poured into sample cell.
2. Sample is placed into cell holder of the Lovibond Nessleriser and light
shield is closed.
3. Adjusting the Lovibond Hazen meter to match the cloudiness of water.
4. The reading is taken.
c. Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Total Disolved Solid (TDS) tests
1. Water sample is poured into the beaker.
2. Sample is the tested using the HACH Sension 7 conductivity.
3. Reading is taken after the value is stabilized and locked.
d. Dissolved Oxygen (DO2) test
1. Water sample is poured into the beaker.
2. The beaker is placed on a stirrer with a magnetic stirrer placed inside.
3. Sample is then tested using HACH Sension 7 Dissolve Oxygen.
4. Reading is taken and recorded.
2.6.2 Chemical parameters
e. Aluminum test

1. 20ml water sample is taken and pour into the beaker.

2. The soft key is pressed under HACH PROGRAMME. Stored program number
for aluminum.Al is selected with the wavelength of 535 nm.
3. ECR Reagent powder is added and is shaken to dissolve it,. Start Timer is
pressed beginning the 30 sec reaction period,
4. One Hexamethylenetetramine Buffer Reagent Powder Pillow is added.It is
dissolved and shaked.
5. 10 ml from it is taken from the beaker and it is pour into the the new
beaker.This is the blank and one drop ECR Masking Reagent Solution is
added.
6. It is mixed and swirled. Let 5 minute reaction period start by pressing on the
timer. A sample cell is filled with a blank and another sample in another
sample cell.
7. The blank is placed in the cell holder and the light shield is closed.Zeroing is
done by pressing the ZERO soft press.The display will show 0.000 mg/L Al 3+.
8. The sample will then replaced the blank,then closing the light shield and
READ is press to display result.
9. Result is then recorded.

f. Ammonia test
1. 25ml water sample and distilled water is taken and poured into the
beaker.The distilled water act as blank for the water sample.
2. Ammonia with wavelength of 655 nm is selected.
3. One Ammonia Salicylate Poder pillow is added to each beaker.The reagent is
shaken and dissolved .Timer is pressed for a 3 minute reaction period to
begin.
4. One ammonia cyanurate reagent powder pillow is added to each
beaker.Reagent is dissolved by shaking it.Then time ris set again for a 3
minute reaction period to begin.
5. Two sample cell is prepared one with the blank fille din and the other is the
sample.
6. The blank is then placed in a cell holder and light shield is closed. Zeroing is
done by pressing ZERO.This will display 0.00mg/L NH 3-N.
7. Then the blank is taken out replacing with the sample.The light shield is clsed
and READ is pressed which will display the result.

g. Chlorine test
1. 10ml water sample and distilled water is poured into beaker whereby the
distlled water act as a blank.

2. Chlorine,Cl2 is selected.
3. One DPD Free Chlorine Powder Pillow is added into the sample. The reagent
is dissolved and shaken.
4. Start timer is pressed for a 20s reaction period to begin.
5. Sample cell is filled with blank and the other is filled with sample.
6. The blank is placed in the cell holder and then Zeroing is done.
7. After Zeroing which shows 0.00 mg/L Cl2 display, the sample is then placed in
the cell holder replacing the blank just now.
8. READ is pressed to get the reading.
h. Alkalinity
1.125 ml of water sample is poured into the conical flask.
2. Methyl orange and Na2S2O3 3% is added. Raw water sample is only added the
methyl orange.
3. Then the sample is titrated with H2SO4N/40.The previous yellow colour of the
solution turns to red brick after titrated.
4. The volume of H2SO4N/40. used to titrate until the colour is achieved is
recorded.
i. Sulfate
1. 25 ml water sample and distilled water is pour into the beaker.The distilled water
is the blank.
2. One SulfaVer 4 Reagent powder is added into the sample. Reagent is dissolved
by shaking it.Set the spectrophotometer for sulfate SO 42- program.
3. START timer was pressed and a five minute reaction is started.
4. After five minutes, the sample cell is placed into the cell holder starting with the
zeroing process by using the blank@distilled water.
5. Then proceed with other sample filled in the sample cell and placing in cell holder
then closing the light shield.READ is pressed for measurement and reading is
recorded.
j. Ferum test
1. Water sample of 10ml is filled in a beaker and also distilled water of 10ml
which acts as a blank for the treated water while another blank is taken for
each intake or raw water.
2. One FerroVer Reagent powder pillow is added into sample except the
blanks.
3. The samples are shaken and then wait 3 minutes for reaction period to
begin.

4. Starting with zeroing procedure, using distilled water for treated water
while raw water using its own blank which is raw water itself.
5. After zeroing,proceed with reading of samples in the spectrophotometer
as stated procedure in the previous tests.
k. Manganese test
1. 10 ml of water sample and distilled water is poured in the beaker whereby
the distilled water act as a blank.
2. One Ascorbic acid powder pillow is added to each beaker.Then, it is mixed
by swirling it.
3. Pan Indicator solution 1% is added to each sample.Then swirled.
4. The spectrophotometer is then set for manganese and then timer is
pressed for 2 minute reaction period.
5. Sample cell is then filled with blank and the other is filled with sample.
6. Starting with the zeroing process by using the blank and then finally after
zeroing proceed with the reading of the samples.
7. The reading is recorded.
l. Nitrate test
1. 10ml water sample and distilled water is taken. Blanks are those from
respective raw water and distilled water for the treated water sample.
2. The spectrophotometer is set for Nitrate test.
3. One NitraVer 6 Reagent powder pillow is added into sample then timer is
started for 3 minutes.During this 3 minutes, the samples are shaken.
4. Then, timer for 2 minutes is selected for the reaction period.
5. One NitraVer 3 reagent is added into the sample.Reagent is dissolve by
shaking them for 30 second which is set by the timer.
6. 15 minutes timer is set for reaction period after 30 seconds of shaking.
7. Starting with the zeroing procedure by using blanks for the treated water
sample and respective raw water blanks for raw water itself.
8. After the zeroing process either starting with sample first or raw water,
proceed with the sample reading.
9. The reading on the spectrophotometer is recorded.
m. Fluoride test
1. 10ml of sample is taken with distilled water acting as the blank.
2. The sample including the blank is added with the SPADNS reagent.
3. The spectrophotometer is set to Fluoride.
4. Starting with zeroing process then proceed with other sample reading
process.
5. The reading is taken and then recorded.
n. Chemical Oxygen Demand
1. 2ml of sample is taken by using a pipette. This also included
distilled water acting as a blank.

2. The samples are then inserted into a tube containing a strong acid
solution.
3. Then the tubes are placed in the HACH DRB reactor,whereby it is
heated at 1500C and let it heat for a reaction period of 2 hours.
4. After 2 hours, the tubes are then placed in a
spectrophotometer,staring with the zeroing procedure by using
blank before continue with samples.
5. Press programme for COD and then press start.
6. The reading is taken and recorded.
o. Total Hardness test
1. 50 ml water sample is taken and poured into conical flask
2. 1 drop of solochrome black is added with 10 ml of ammonia buffer
solution.
3. Then it is titrated with EDTA until the purple colour turns to blue colour.
4. Volume of EDTA titrated is the total hardness test.
5. The volume is taken and reading is recorded by multiplied by 2 for the
reading.
p. Chloride test
1. 100ml water sample is taken and poured into a conical flask.
2. 10ml Potassium chromate 5% is added to sample.
3. It is the titrated with silver nitrate.
4. The previous yellow colour solution turned to orange.
5. Volume of silver nitrate titrated is recorded showing the value of chloride
resent in the water sample.
6. The result is then recorded by using this formula: volume - 0.2 x 10
2.6.3 Bacteriological parameter
q. Bacteriological
I. Coliform
1. 50ml water sample is placed in a glass bottle containing 50ml
MacConkey broth.
2. 10ml of water sample is added is 5 10ml glass bottle of MacConkey
broth.
3. The caps and the mouth of each glass and also the measuring
cylinder is heated before pouring in the samples in the MacConkey
broth.
4. All bottles is then placed in an incubator with temperature of 37 0C
for 2 days.
5. After 2 days, each bottle is checked whether there is bubbles on
top of the solution and changes of colour.
6. Any bubbles present, the respective bottles will then undergoes the
next procedure stated below.

II.

E.Coli
1. Bottles from previous procedure stated above which has positive
coliform in taken out.
2. A few amount of sample from the positive bottle from the coliform
test is added into the green bile broth containing bottle.
3. The bottle is then placed in an incubator with 44 0C temperature for
a duration of 24 hours.
4. Water sample is positive for E.coli if there is bubbles on top and
some colour change on the media.
5. The result is recorded based on the given table for bacteriological
parameters.

Mini Project
Fluoridation in Sabah
Water fluoridation was discontinued in 1989 by the then state government which feared
inadequate supervision in the process of adding fluoride to the water could cause
adverse effects. However, after nearly 21 years the fluoridation programme is
reintroduced in 2011.
The Health ministry had set optimum fluoridated level between 0.5mg/L and 0.7mg/L. A
concentration of 1mg/L or more may likely cause dental fluorosis, an irreversible
condition, among children.
Fluoride plays a key role in the prevention of dental caries (tooth decay). Acting as an
electronegative element, it helps in the mineralization of bones and teeth of toddlers and
young children. It also promotes repair of tooth enamel (outer layer) in areas that have
been demineralized (dissolved) by acids.
The fluoridation process involves adding sodium fluoride or hydrofluoric acid to treated
water before the latter is sent to the holding tanks. However, the concentration of

fluoride cannot be stabilized as it is easily evaporated to air, ended up either none or at

very low concentration when it reached the consumers. It is recommended that the
dosing of fluoride should be done directly in the water instead of dosing from air. The
method to stabilize fluoride concentration is still under research until now.
Fluoride has its advantages on health especially on dental health but only in certain
concentration. Any fluoride consumed or exposed in excess can be dangerous to
health.Below are few effects of fluoride to people:
Effect to workers handling fluoride

Effects on consumers

III.

RECOMMENDATION

I would like to recommend on the immediate replacement of apparatus once broken

as it could inflict injuries and the staffs are advised to use masks when doing tests
that contains hazardous chemical such as ammonia.
Overall Pusat Makmal Jabatan Air Sabah had been operating according to safety
measures and also have good work organization. I am impressed also by the way
the staffs work,well organized and they are helpful to interns who needed help.

IV.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, I have gained a lot of knowledge while doing my industrial training here
especially in the water quality control and also environment protection. I had also gained
the skill to conduct lab tests and the safety procedures related to it. It had been a good
experience here working with friendly staffs and also this had enhanced my
communication skills and also skills on organizing work especially when there are a lot

of samples need to be tested in one day.Surely would recommend Pusat Makmal Air
Jabatan Air Sabah for future interns who are interested to explore on water quality
control field.

V.

VI.

REFERENCES
i. http://www.theborneopost.com/2010/12/29/water-fluoridationfor-sabah-in-2011-after-21-years/
ii. http://www.science.uwaterloo.ca/~cchieh/cact/applychem/watert
reatment.html
iii. http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/health-hazards-to-knowabout/where-the-yellow-went

APPENDICES

1. pH test

2. Reagents for Total Hardness test

3. Reagents for Alkalinity test

4. Reagents for Chloride tests

5. HAZEN test equipment

6. Turbidimeter for Water Turbidity test

7. Dissolved oxygen, Electric conductivity test and Total Dissolved Solid test
equipment

8. a)Purple media for coliform test b) Positive Coliform test c) Green media for
E.coli test

9. Spectrophotometer (used for the tests listed below)

10. Iron reagent for Iron tests

11. Reagents for Manganese tests.

12. Chlorine Residual test reagent

13. Reagents Aluminium tests

14. Reagents for Nitrate tests

15. Reagent for Sulfate tests

16. Reagents for Ammonia tests

17. Reagent for Fluoride tests

18. Chemical Oxygen Demand test equipment

19. Sampling bottles for chemical and physical testing

20. Sampling bottle for bacteriological testing