FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING DIPLOMA IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA LABORATORY MANUAL

COURSE WATER ENGINEERING LABORATORY

COURSE CODE ECW341
LEVEL OF OPENNESS 2
CATEGORY PARTIALLY OPEN
DEGREE OF OPEN ENDED 67%
PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK
LAB NO 5.3 MEASUREMENT OF BIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF WATER :
TITLE ENUMERATION OF BACTERIA. E-COLI

INTRODUCTION

Coliforms are bacteria that are always present in the digestive tracts of
animals, including humans, and are found in their wastes. They are also
found in plant and soil material.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to:

1. To quantify the presence of E-Coli in water samples.

2. To compare the results obtained from the experiments with the

National Drinking Water Standard.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

PREAMBLE 1. Conduct and construct the measurement of biological parameters

of water laboratory experiment. (CO1 – PO4)
2. Analyze and interpret the data based on obtained data. (CO2 –
PO6)

Theoretical Background

Water pollution caused by fecal contamination is a serious problem due to

the potential for contracting diseases from pathogens. The presence of
pathogens is determined with indirect evidence by testing for an "indicator"
organism such as coliform bacteria. The most basic test for bacterial
contamination of a water supply is the test for total coliform bacteria.

Total coliforms include bacteria that are found in the soil and in water.
Fecal coliforms are the group of the total coliforms that are considered to
be present specifically in the feces of warm-blooded animals and human.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the major species in the fecal coliform group
and is considered to be the species of coliform bacteria that is the best
indicator of fecal pollution and the possible presence of pathogens.

ECW341 – WATER ENGINEERING LABORATORY Page 1

 FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING DIPLOMA IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA LABORATORY MANUAL

According to National Primary Drinking Water Regulations USEPA. Not

more than 5.0% samples should be total coliform-positive (TC-positive) in
a month. Every sample that has total coliform must be analyzed for either
fecal coliforms or E. coli . If two consecutive TC-positive samples, and one
is also positive for E.coli fecal coliforms, system has an acute MCL
violation.

According to Drinking Water Quality Standard by MOH Malaysia,

acceptable value for raw water quality is 5000 MPN / 100 m. Based on this
requirement, each group is required to investigate the presence of E-Coli
PROBLEM STATEMENTS
in one (1) water samples gather from around UiTM to be tested in the lab.
Each group is required to prepare the required apparatus and procedure
to carry out the experimental works.

Each group should be able to identify the correct apparatus for the
experiment.

WAYS AND MEANS Each group should be able to search relevant procedures/methods with
(Refer to Standard Methods for the regard to the intended experimental works to be proposed to the
Examination of Water and lecturer/instructor prior to doing the experiment for approval.
Wastewater
The proposed procedures should consider the availability of the
apparatus, chemical and materials in the laboratory.

All data collected and observed during the experiment should be tabulated
in proper format for easy verification and presentation of the technical
report.

1. Tabulate the experimental result in proper format (relevant pictures

RESULT, ANALYSIS
and calculations).
CONCLUSION
2. Analyse the result based on the standard.
3. Suggest how the bacteria contamination into raw water system can
be reduced.
4. Discuss and conclude the experimental work.

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