A Review on Lead (Pb) Contamination in the Drinking Water Supply at Langat River Basin, Malaysia

Abstract

Safe water supply at Langat River Basin, Malaysia is very crucial being Langat River the prime source of raw water in the basin. Although several study both river and supply water at the Langat Basin determined higher concentration of dissolved lead (Pb), however, there is no significant study that investigates the Pb concentration in the drinking water supply chain of the basin. Therefore, the review of secondary literature explores the status of dissolved Pb in drinking water supply chain at the Langat Basin in comparison with some other countries. Apart from man-made activities, the higher concentrations of dissolved Pb both in the raw and supply water are mainly from the natural weathering of Pb minerals within the granite rock of Titiwangsa Mountain Range of Langat Basin and the corrosion of galvanized iron pipe, respectively. Therefore, the use of reverse osmosis technology to treat both the raw and supply water at the basin could ensure safe drinking water supply as well as sound health of the populations.

Investigating the Status of Cadmium, Chromium and Lead in the Drinking Water Supply Chain to Ensure Drinking Water Quality in Malaysia

“…The Langat River is one the prime sources of drinking water in the Selangor state of Malaysia; however, the pollution of this river is one of the significant threats to the local populations and biodiversity [1][2][3][4]. The water of this river is used for drinking, domestic and agricultural activities [5], as well as for industrial activities [6][7][8][9]. There is the presence of both point and non-point sources of pollution along the river [10][11][12], including significant differences in the pollution of the river between upstream and downstream [13].…”