Groundwater Quality Aspect Owing to Urbanization in Langat Basin (Kajang, Semenyih) Malaysia

Aims: Unrefined industrial sewerage and unplanned water use changes groundwater quality and pollutes environment which is vulnerable to Langat basin of Malaysia. This research has aimed to find the water pollution trend due to urbanization by analyzing the hydrogeological condition and ground water quality status of Langat basin giving emphasis on Kajang and Semenyih town.

Study Design: Geological, hydrochemical and statistical analysis.

Place and Duration of Study: Borehole log, pumping test and groundwater chemistry data were collected from Mineral and Geosciences Department, Selangor for two towns Kajang and Semenyih. Study areas are in Kenny Hill formation and the wells pumping water from four types of rock formation. Ten years data variation on population and water quality were used.

Methodology: Three types of analyses were performed by using collected data. The subsurface geological analyses, well water chemistry interpretation with Hydrochemical facies analysis and statistical analyses. All the analyses were done by using different software.

Results: EC, Alkalinity, Nitrite as Nitrogen and trace metals like Cd, Pb, Mn shows very high concentration in the Kajang groundwater. In Semenyih Fe and Nitrate as Nitrogen concentrations are high. Positive correlation of Nitrite as Nitrogen, Nitrate as Nitrogen and trace elements like Mn, Cd, Pb, Cr and Cu with population has a significant relationship of urban pollution in Kajang and Semenyih groundwater.

Conclusion: The study unveils the truth that urbanization not only impacts on the surface water but also same impact on groundwater although intensity varies with population size and subsurface condition. Finally, policy recommendations were drawn to minimize the impact of urbanization on groundwater.