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DOI: 10.2478/jwld-2018-0049 © Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN), Committee on Agronomic Sciences JOURNAL OF WATER AND LAND DEVELOPMENT Section of Land Reclamation and Environmental Engineering in Agriculture, 2018 2018, No. 38 (VII–IX): 127–136 © Institute of Technology and Life Sciences (ITP), 2018 PL ISSN 1429–7426, e-ISSN 2083-4535 Available (PDF): http://www.itp.edu.pl/wydawnictwo/journal; http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/jwld Received 07.01.2018 Effect of 2014 massive flood Reviewed 07.03.2018 Accepted 20.03.2018 A – study design on well water qualities: B – data collection C – statistical analysis D – data interpretation A case study on Kelantan River basin, E – manuscript preparation F – literature search Malaysia Hariz A. Ab. RAHMAN1) AB, Noor A. IBRAHIM1) BE, Azzmer A. ABDUL HAMID2) BDF, Tengku H.T. ABDUL HAMID1) ACDEF 1) Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Department of Biotechnology, Jalan Istana, 25200 Bandar Indera Mahkota, Kuantan, Malaysia; e-mail: [email protected] 2) University Malaysia Kelantan, Faculty of Agro-Based Industry, Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia For citation: Rahman H.A.Ab., Ibrahim N.A., Abdul Hamid A.A., Abdul Hamid T.H.T. 2018. Effect of 2014 massive flood on well water qualities: A case study on Kelantan River basin, Malaysia. Journal of Water and Land Development. No. 38 p. 127–136. DOI: 10.2478/jwld-2018-0049. Abstract The effect of physical and biological qualities of wells after submergence was assessed following December 2014 flood in Kelantan. Studies were carried out on a total of 65 wells from 13 stations around Kelantan River basin in which the wells’ water were sampled for pH, total dissolved solid (TDS), turbidity and microbial con- tamination. About 95% of the well showed to be contaminated, 7 out of 65 samples (11.1%) showed TDS values >400 µSꞏcm–1; and 19 samples (29.2%) recorded turbidity beyond 7.0 NTU. Statistical non-parametric tests car- ried out on independent groups showed that the status of well contamination was neither determined by both de- gree of submergence nor by the geographical location. Also the physico-chemical parameters are independent of flood inundation. However, TDS and turbidity values changed based on geographical location, at p < 0.05. Well from estuary recorded higher TDS (241.2 µSꞏcm–1 ±159.5 SD) and turbidity (8.04 NTU ± 6.53 SD) compared to those from inner basin (TDS at 156.3 µSꞏcm–1± 88.9 SD; turbidity at 2.90 NTU ± 2.46 SD), respectively. The flood water had played significant role in the transmission of existing contaminant, and most of the wells were unsafe for drinking. We concluded that the degree of flood submergence does not necessarily determine the se- verity of the well contamination in Kelantan, but the existing contamination may exacerbate further the potential risk during post flood period. Key words: drinking well, flood inundation, Kelantan River basin, total coliform, water quality INTRODUCTION 2014, Kelantan and other eastern coast states were hit by a severe and unprecedented flood whereby it was Annually, the North-East monsoon triggers major reported that more than 200,000 were affected while rainy season in several regions in South East Asia. 21 peoples were killed in the floods [AFP 2014; DA- Monsoon weather systems usually develops in con- VIES 2015; STEPHEN 2015]. Heavier than normal rain, junction with cold air outbreaks from Siberia which excessive lodging and ‘the new moon’ phenomenon produces heavy rain causing severe floods in East whereby the moon is the closest to the earth causing coast states of the Malaysian peninsular (Kelantan, high tide were among factors speculated to have trig- Terengganu, Pahang and East Johore) and Sarawak in gered this extraordinary flooding. Moreover, the un- the East Malaysia [CHANG et al. 2006]. At the end of expected rise in Kelantan River (Mal. Sungai Kelan- © Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN) in Warsaw, 2018; © Institute of Technology and Life Sciences (ITP) in Falenty, 2018 128 H.A.AB. RAHMAN, N.A. IBRAHIM, A.A. ABDUL HAMID, T.H.T. ABDUL HAMID tan) water level along with water current culminated Many studies have been carried out to evaluate in catastrophic damages to residential, commercial the microbiologcial quality of drinking well [BEN- and industrial buildings; and disabling electrical RABAH et al. 2016; CHIRANJAY et al. 2012; MUKHO- power, water supply and sewage systems. In the his- PADHYAY et al. 2012; PRITCHARD, O’NEILL 2007; torical context, the detrimental effect of severe flood RAMESH et al. 2015] and on the impact of flood on brought about by monsoon rain had received consid- river water quality [DEPETRIS, STEPHAN 1990; EME- erable attention even during the British Colonial era KA, OSONDU 2016; YOUSAFZAI et al. 2013]. However, [WILLIAMSON 2016]. This indicates that throughout as far as our concern, there is a limited study carried human history there has been a prolong battle in over- out on well water quality with respect to flood event. coming and handling the impact of flood. There have A study on the impact of flood on well water quality been more than 3000 major flood events recorded was only limited to physical parameters [YOUSAF et between year 1985 to 2010 [KUNDZEWICZ et al. al. 2013]. In this study, sampling strategy based on 2014]. According to studies by ASHLEY et al. [2005] wells located in inundated and uninundated regions on UK catchments, in year 2000, the flood risk was were used in assessing the microbial contamination predicted to increase by 30 times by 2080. and physico-chemical qualities during post flood pe- The impact of human health after flood could be riod. The use of well as a source for analysis in this equally catastrophic. There was immediate concern study is highly appropriate for two reasons. Firstly, regarding the probable release and dispersion of bio- unlike in many other states in Malaysia, wells are logical contaminants such as coliform, cholera, hepa- available throughout regions in Kelantan making titis, leptospirosis, malaria; and chemical contami- them suitable for geospatial study; and secondly, the nants such as heavy metals and carcinogens in the inundated well could represent an almost ‘real time’ flood water. Realising the potential hazards of expo- sample which is likely to retain or preserve the flood sure to pathogen or toxicant and long-term negative water characteristic. The characteristic of well water environmental impact from contaminated water, relia- during post food period could provide a useful geo- ble samples from flood have to be immediately avail- spatial distribution of contamination and these can be able for accurate assessment and evaluation. This is used to interpret potential outbreak [INVIK et al. essential in assessing the public health risks from en- 2017]. In addition, previous studies showed that the vironmental threat. Faecal contamination of urban turbidity values for Kelantan River were abnormally flood water was evaluated after severe flood in New high (268.9–672.0 NTU), due to sand mining and up- Orlean, US, following hurricanes Katrina and Rita stream lodging activities [YEN, ROHASLINEY 2013]. [SINIGALLIANO et al. 2007], and after Elbe flood in Meanwhile, several series of waterborne disease out- Germany in 2002 [ABRAHAM, WENDEROTH 2005]. breaks in Kelantan were correlated with poor water Elevated level of faecal indicator bacteria and micro- supply system [ANG et al. 2010; AZIMULLAH et al. bial pathogens were found in flood waters with the 2016; ISA 1990; JA'AFAR et al. 2013; MALIK, MALIK subsequent contamination of drinking water sources. 2001]. Eventhough extreme weather condition has For instance, Vibrio cholera and rotavirus have been well accepted to have an impact on human water caused flood associated diarhoea in 3 consecutive supply, the changes it causes to water quality is not floods (1988, 1998 and 2004) that occurred in Dhaka, fully elucidated. Climatic changes will result in in- Bangladesh [BRIAN et al. 2006]. Faecal coliform and crease or decrease in water flow that will inherently streptococci were found to contaminate water sources affect the transfer and dilution of contaminants in Dhaka after 2004 flood [SIRAJUL et al. 2007]; and [WHITEHEAD et al. 2009]. Due to the unpredictable human enteric virus, hepatitis A and adenovirus, and nature of natural disaster, it is difficult to accurately coliform were prevalent after an urban flood in Jakar- measure the actual water flow during a disaster ta, Indonesia [PHANUWAN et al. 2006]. Other studies period. Groundwater sources such as inundated wells have included physical and mental health effect asso- containing flood residues are available in some places ciated with severe flood [FEWTRELL, KAY 2008; OHL, for post flood analysis. Therefore, this study has at- TAPSELL 2000; TUNSTALL et al. 2006]. During urban tempted to find possible correlations between the well floods, the combined sewer-flood water spreads the submergence, the biological contamination and the contamination and poses further health risk. In places water qualities. Our prime focus is to find how the where water supply was tremendously affected, the physical and biological qualities of the well vary with surface water or groundwater supplies would become geographical distribution and the impact of flood in- an option. Well water is the main source of drinking undation. These informations could be used to formu- water in developing countries. In the state of Kelantan late some guidelines in developing better strategy in in particular, municipal water supply is still low and using well for drinking following Kelantan’s 2014 inadequate. Due to this condition, an estimated 35% massive flood. In the event of future flood, regions of population, especially in the rural area were still which are prone to contamination can be identified so rely on ground water for their daily activities [IDRUS that the safety use of well for drinking purpose can be et al.

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