Reservoir reflecting a polluted sky transforming into a clear sky

Is Your Water Safe? Unveiling the Secrets of Reservoir Health

Rhea Morgan in Climate & Environment August 2025 • 3 min read.

"Dive deep into the factors impacting water quality in reservoirs and how it affects your daily life."

Clean water is essential for our health and daily activities. Reservoirs, like the Sembrong in Johor, Malaysia, supply raw water that is treated for consumer use. Maintaining the cleanliness and quality of this water is crucial to prevent contamination and ensure it is safe for consumption.

Water quality can be affected by various factors, including sedimentation and pollutants, which can alter the health of the reservoir. To understand the impacts, it's essential to assess various parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH levels, ammonia nitrogen, and trophic status, which indicates the overall biological condition of the water.

This analysis looks into a study conducted on Sembrong Reservoir during the monsoon season to evaluate its water quality and trophic status. Understanding these factors can help us manage and protect our water resources more effectively.

Understanding Water Quality Parameters

Reservoir reflecting a polluted sky transforming into a clear sky

The study examined several key water quality parameters in Sembrong Reservoir. Temperature and pH levels showed little variation across different locations. However, dissolved oxygen levels varied, with the highest readings at locations 6 and 7, indicating better oxygenation in those areas. Adequate dissolved oxygen is vital for aquatic life.

Ammonia nitrogen levels were highest at location 1, closest to the inlet, suggesting a source of contamination entering the reservoir. Chlorophyll readings, indicative of algae growth, were also highest near the inlet area. High chlorophyll levels can lead to eutrophication, an over-enrichment of nutrients that degrades water quality.

Key factors impacting water quality:

Sedimentation
Pollution from agricultural runoff
Eutrophication
Ammonia nitrogen levels

Total phosphorus, another nutrient, was also highest at the inlet, further supporting the idea that the incoming river is carrying contaminants. These findings underscore the importance of managing pollutants entering the reservoir to maintain its health. The overall results indicated that the water quality was better in areas farther from the inlet, where the initial contaminants had been diluted or processed.

Protecting Our Water Resources

The study's findings suggest that Sembrong Reservoir faces challenges related to pollutant inputs, especially from the river feeding into it. Effective management strategies are needed to reduce these inputs and protect the reservoir's water quality. By understanding the factors that affect water quality, we can take steps to ensure clean, safe water for our communities.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1088/1755-1315/140/1/012079, Alternate LINK

Title: Water Quality And Trophic Status Study In Sembrong Reservoir During Monsoon Season

Subject: General Engineering

Journal: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science

Publisher: IOP Publishing

Authors: S I N S Hashim, S H A Talib, M S Abustan, S A M Tajuddin

Published: 2018-04-01

Everything You Need To Know

What key factors can affect the health and water quality of a reservoir like Sembrong?

The health of Sembrong Reservoir is influenced by factors such as sedimentation, pollutants from agricultural runoff leading to increased ammonia nitrogen levels, and eutrophication. Understanding these elements is critical for managing and protecting the water resources that reservoirs provide.

What were the findings regarding temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen levels within Sembrong Reservoir?

Temperature and pH levels exhibited minimal variation across different locations within Sembrong Reservoir. However, dissolved oxygen levels fluctuated, with higher readings in locations 6 and 7, which indicates better oxygenation conducive to aquatic life. These parameters are crucial indicators of water quality and ecological balance.

What does high Chlorophyll indicate about the water quality in Sembrong Reservoir, and what is the implication of increased total phosphorus?

High Chlorophyll readings, especially near the inlet of Sembrong Reservoir, suggest elevated algae growth. This, combined with high levels of total phosphorus, indicates nutrient over-enrichment, a process known as eutrophication. Eutrophication degrades water quality, potentially leading to harmful algal blooms and reduced oxygen levels, impacting aquatic life and water usability.

What do the levels of ammonia nitrogen and total phosphorus near the inlet of Sembrong Reservoir suggest about its contamination sources?

The study revealed that the highest ammonia nitrogen and total phosphorus levels were found at location 1, which is closest to the inlet of Sembrong Reservoir. This suggests that the river feeding into the reservoir is a significant source of pollutants. The river's pollutants impact the health of the reservoir by altering its water quality, necessitating effective management of incoming contaminants to protect the water source.

What management strategies can be implemented to safeguard water quality of reservoirs like Sembrong and similar water resources?

Effective strategies to protect Sembrong Reservoir and similar water resources include managing and reducing pollutant inputs, especially from rivers feeding into the reservoir. Implementing agricultural best management practices, controlling runoff, and monitoring water quality parameters like ammonia nitrogen, chlorophyll, and total phosphorus are essential. Regular assessment of water quality and trophic status is needed to ensure clean, safe water for the community.