IMPACT OF LEACHATE DISCHARGED FROM PAPAN LANDFILL TO JOHAN RIVER WATER QUALITY

Ipoh is one of a well-known city in Malaysia. As the city rapidly develop, the rate of
pollution increases. More garbage is thrown away and as Malaysia is not a country
whom practices recycling nor waste separation, all the waste will go to Papan
landfill. Papan Landfill produces leachate that will be discharge to the nearby river
that will eventually connects to Kinta River. Thus, the water quality deteriorates as
organic matter increases in the Kinta River. This paper will collect a total of 6
samples altogether that consists of raw leachate sample, treated leachate and also 4
samples from the nearest river (Johan River) to determine the water quality index
and also to detect any signs of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH). PAH is
known to be carcinogenic and mutagenic therefore the existence of these
microorganisms are harmful to humans. On top of that, the water quality index will
also be obtained to know the suitability of the water to be use by the society. This
project was able to detect the presence of PAH in the nearby river where the treated
leachate had been discharged. However, as the concentration of water increases
along Johan River, the PAH number began to drops thus the water quality index after
that point in Johan River did had a big change thus showing that it is not advisable to
be consume nor used by the society.