Copyright © 2018 Authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7 (3.9) (2018) 59-61 International Journal of Engineering & Technology Website: www.sciencepubco.com/index.php/IJET Research paper Improvement of Sungai Sebulung Water Quality Using Effective Microorganism Ahmad Firdaus 1 *, Shamila Azman 1 1 Department of Environmental, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Johor Bahru, Malaysia * Corresponding author E-mail: firdaus.pekautm@gmail.com Abstract Effective Microorganism (EM) is a practical and less costly method to enhance water quality. Sungai Sebulung is one of the rivers in Malaysia that have been treated using EM. This study has been carried out to find the effectiveness of EM and its suitability to the condi- tion of Sungai Sebulung. This study will also evaluate Water Quality Index (WQI) of the river. The WQI of Sungai Sebulung is 56.2 and can be classified as a Class III. The average concentration of DO, BOD, COD, AN and TSS at Sungai Sebulung were 3.88 mg/L, 10.7 mg/L, 54 mg/L, 3.78 mg/L and 26.2 mg/L respectively. The result obtained shows the quality of Sungai Sebulung is the same compared to 2016. Keywords: Water quality; Effective Microorganism (EM); Water Quality Index (WQI); Dissolved oxygen (DO); Biochemical oxygen de- mand (BOD); Chemical oxygen demand (COD). 1. Introduction Degradation of river water quality prohibits its availability for human use and ecosystem and affect the optimum management of water resources [1]. Biological treatment, especially the use of microorganisms to improve polluted water quality is effective and widespread due to low capital and cost compared to chemical treatments. Therefore, in recent years there has been a growing interest in the use of biological purification techniques for water as the best alternative option environmentally and economically [2]. Effective Microorganism (EM) is one of the biological treatment method being used in river rehabilitation process. Various conven- tional methods are in practice for purification of water and remov- ing the pollutant contaminants, but most of them are costly and non-ecofriendly [3]. EM in solid and liquid form are effective to inhibit algae growth, decompose sludge, kills pathogen and reduce odors problems in rivers from high concentration of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and methane. In the scope of Water Quality In- dex (WQI), EM can reduce the concentration of total suspended solids (TSS), dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD) and pH [4]. EM in solid form is known as EM Mudballs whereas in liquid form known as EM solution which is (EMAS) is a mixture of molasses sugar and non-chlorinated water or rice rinse [2]. Effective Microorganism (EM) is a concept developed by a Japanese horticulturist, Teruo Higa from University of Ryukyus in [5]. He reported that EM consists of 80 different microorganisms that are capable to de- compose many organic matters. The initial stage of the technology was based on combination a multi types of microbes, and was subsequently refined to include principal types of organisms commonly found in all ecosystems. These were then mixed in molasses medium and maintained at low pH under optimum con- ditions [6]. Effective microorganisms are a mixture of groups of organisms that have a reviving action on humans, animals, and the natural environment. Studies has shown EM have many applica- tions such as gardening, agriculture, livestock, algae control, com- posting and household use [2]. For this study, Sungai Sebulung have been chosen to evaluate effectiveness of EM on Water Quality Index (WQI), phosphate and iron. Sungai Sebulung is one of the rivers in Johor that have been polluted. Johor Bahru City Council (JBCC) have made an effort to rehabilitate the water quality of Sungai Sebulung using the Effective Microorganism (EM) technology since 2004 under Sebulung River Settlement Revival Program (SRSRP) [7]. Effective Microorganisms (EM) was being chosen as the solution to reduce the water pollution at Sungai Sebulung because it does not harm aquatic life in the river. Besides, by applying EM in the river, the cost to treat and clean the river can be reduced as EM is relatively cheap and use only waste material [8]. There are many rivers around Malaysia and other countries treated with EM technology. In Johor, JBCC have been using EM as a treatment method for many rivers including Sungai Segget, Sungai Stulang, Sungai Sungai Tebrau and Sungai Sebulung [4]. In 2009, a study was carried out on the tributary of Sungai Senai and Sungai Skudai. These two rivers are on the progress of rehabilitation work by using the EM technology. The Water Quality Index (WQI) of these rivers have been improved from Class IV to Class III [9]. Sungai Kelian also has been involved with the EM technology for the river water quality improvement programme. On the 25 th March 2009, the Penang State Government with help from EM Biotechnology Experts launched a rehabilition programme for Sungai Kelian. In a short period of 3 months, WQI of Sungai Kelian improved from Class IV to Class III [10]. On January 25th 2010, a group named Go Green Team launched environmental remediation to rehabilitate a 3-acre polluted lake at Malaysia Na- tional Zoo [11]. The mission was to create a healthier, cleaner sustainable environment in and around the lake, providing a pleas- ant visit to visitors. In order to rejuvenate the lake by improving water quality of the lake, the Go Green team used EM technology