NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY OF

MALAYSIA
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
ASSIGNMENT : RESEARCH PROPOSAL

NAME: JANNATUL HASNI BINTI OMAR

MATRIC NO.:3221604
TITLE: INVESTIGATION OF GROUNDWATER WELL
POTENTIAL AND QUALITY
LECTURER: PROF MADYA DR. SITI AMINAH BINTI
MOHD NOOR
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

In the 1990s, the field of hydrogeophysical emerged as a multi-disciplinary

topic that focuses on the use of geophysical methods to classify subsurface

characteristics, to assess hydrogeological properties and to track soil and

groundwater processes (Binley et al., 2010). Geophysics has long been used to help

geological research, but primarily to classify aquifers for lithological boundary

delineation (Binley et al., 2010; Giustiniani et al., 2008). Current advances in

geophysical are aimed at providing quantitative information on soil and subsoil

hydrological and hydraulic characteristics, as well as quantitative data on the

nature and movement of fluids and solutes in and out of the subsurface. Among

the geophysical methods available, not all of them are equally appropriate for

hydrogeophysical applications. Each geophysical technique measures at least one

physical quantity such as for self-potential (SP) method, it used to measure

potential sources. All of them can measure electrical conductivity including

electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) method and induced polarization (IP)

(Binley et al., 2010).

In the global economy, water plays an essential role. But access to this resource

is difficult and decreases at a very rapid rate in good quality and quantity (Arsène

et al., 2018; Sirhan; Hamidi; and Andrieux, 2011). One of the major challenges of
the 21st century remains the availability of good quality water in adequate

quantities of urban and pre-urban centers to respond to the needs of populations

and ecosystems with uncontrolled urbanization, fueled by population growth and

internal migration. So, groundwater seems to be the population's primary source

of water (Anomohanran, 2015; Arsène et al., 2018). Meanwhile, groundwater

discovery and development, a crucial and useful resource, is a complicated hard

rock activity that exhibits inherent heterogeneity. The increased interest in

underground water supplies in recent years has contributed to a need for more

detailed research of aquifer geometry and properties (Asry et al., 2012). One of the

geophysical surveys commonly used to map groundwater is resistivity imaging.

Resistivity image can be obtained by using tomographic techniques such as

electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) method.

Electrical and electromagnetic methods have been mainly used as they are

sensitive to changes in the electrical conductivity of the aqueous phase caused by

saline tracers. Tomographic techniques offer the possibility of creating "images"

in 2D or 3D of the subsurface, which are well suited to imaging the evolution of

solvent plumes. In particular, ERT has been the main technique used for saline

tracer imaging (Binley et al., 1996, 2010), but due to the improved electrical

conductivity of the tracer, some notable examples using GPR attenuation for the

same purpose have also been made possible (Binley et al., 2010; Day-Lewis et al.,

2003; Johnson et al., 2007).

Recently, in the state of Selangor, Malaysia, accessible water supplies have

been under pressure due to increasing demands from industry and domestic water
consumption, as well as the degradation of water quality due to pollution. Due to

increased water demand in the Langat basin, groundwater quality has become a

major issue. To assess the resistivity variance from the surface down to a depth of

around 60 m, sixty-eight electrical resistivity profiles were carried out in the Kuala

Langat belt of the Langat River. The results of the Langat Basin Electrical

Resistivity Imaging (ERI) application are compared with data on the consistency

of groundwater and groundwater levels. The goal of the study is to demonstrate the

usefulness of integrated data obtained by the method of resistivity and chemical

analysis of groundwater samples for the delineation of regions affected by the

intrusion of seawater. To delineate the thickness of the aquifer and the depth of the

bedrock, (2D) resistivity imaging was used. Using hydrochemical tests, the

findings were confirmed (Khaki et al., 2016).

The determination of aquifer features such as actual groundwater yield,

transmissivity, permeability, and storage coefficient, as well as the

recommendation of safe pump age yield, is one of the most important elements of

groundwater resources investigation. These features are crucial in determining

how water flows naturally through an aquifer and how it responds to groundwater

removal. Predicting techniques, laboratory testing, and field tests are the three most

popular methods for determining the hydrogeological properties of soils. Field

testing, such as pumping and slug tests, are the most commonly used. Slug tests

are often used in weak aquifers where drawing groundwater continually is difficult,

whereas pumping tests are usually employed in aquifers where drawing

groundwater is simple (Shen et al., 2015). Typically, the properties are determined

using data from test-pumping wells. Although such tests are not conducted only
for the purpose of determining aquifer features, it is critical that test programmes

be developed in such a way that they can be evaluated clearly and reliably.

A pumping test consists of pumping groundwater from a well, usually at a

constant rate, and measuring water levels in the pumped well and any nearby wells

(observation wells) or surface water bodies during and after pumping. These data

are used to show how much water has been drawn down and how much has been

recovered. Depending on the objective of the pumping test, pumping tests can run

from around hours to days or even weeks, although standard pumping tests

generally last 24 to 72 hours. The variations in water level after the pump stops

should also be measured during a pumping test. The data gathered during this

recovery period will be used to confirm the pumping test findings (Catchments et

al., 1987).

Pumping tests are also used in layered systems to assess the characteristics of

aquitards (vertical hydraulic conductivity and specific storage). Pumping tests can

also be used to identify and locate recharge and no-flow barriers, which may

restrict aquifer lateral extension. Before conducting a pumping test in the field,

spend time in the office preparing a detailed strategy for the test. The design of the

test, the acquisition and preparation of field equipment, the measurement and

control of flow rates, measurement locations and schedules (with pre- and post-test

collection periods) for water levels, disposal of pumped water, and test duration

are all important aspects of proper planning (Catchments et al., 1987).

1.2 Problem Statement

The primary source of life on Earth is water (Arsène et al., 2018; Sirhan;

Hamidi; and Andrieux, 2011). Biodiversity gave it abundantly. Water occupies 71

percent of the surface of the Planet, mainly in the oceans and seas. Tiny portions

of water exist as groundwater (1.7 percent), in Antarctica and Greenland's glaciers

and ice caps (1.7 percent), and in the air as vapors, clouds and precipitation (0.001

percent). In the global economy, water plays an essential role. Approximately 70%

of human-used freshwater goes to agriculture. In industry and households, vast

amounts of water, ice, and steam are used for cooling and heating(Olson, 2020).

Therefore, to meet all this demand surface water itself is not sufficient and

groundwater seems to be a great alternative.

Groundwater is the water in the soil, sand and rock found underground in the

cracks and gaps. It is contained in and travels slowly through aquifers called

geologic formations of soil, sand and rocks. For 51% of the total U.S. population

and 99 percent of the rural population, gets drinking water from groundwater.

Groundwater also helps our food grow which is for irrigation 64 percent of

groundwater used to grow crops. In many manufacturing processes, groundwater

is an essential part. For lakes, rivers, and wetlands, groundwater is a means of

refueling (National Ground Water Association., 2020).

Due mainly to the population boom, industrialization, surface water

contamination, and drought conditions, most major cities in Malaysia face

problems with the availability of potable water. In some places in Malaysia, the

demand for clean water supplies is already a big issue, especially in Selangor,
 Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Pulau Pinang (Mridha et al., 2019; Saimy & Raji,

2015). Groundwater has proven to be a massive help during previous drought

periods in Malaysia particularly in Melaka, Selangor, and Sarawak (Mohamed et

al., 2009; Mridha et al., 2019).

A geophysical survey is conducted at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional

Malaysia, in the Sg Besi region, Kula Lumpur. The major problem UPNM faces is

the expensive water bill that needs to be charged every month, around RM100K a

month. Actually, administration can no longer afford to pay, so groundwater seems

to be the key source of water and solution to this problem. For the sustainable

production of this valuable element, a thorough understanding of the ground water

system is important.

Other issues that arise is certain blocks at UPNM are often encounter

interruption in the supply of water. Compared to high number of students

increasing year by year, the water available will not fulfill the need. Older hostel

design that originally for four students per room changed over the year due to

demand, for eight students per room. This research is needed to cater all this

problem occur and can be an alternative water supply in the study area.

1.3 Objectives

The followings are the objectives proposed for this study: -

i. to analyze the 2D resistivity data from images produced by tomographic

techniques and determine the location of water well;

ii. to determine the efficiency of the well performance through pumping test; and
 iii. to investigate the quality of groundwater for drinking purpose thus in line with

green campus initiative campaign in UPNM.

1.4 Research Methodology

Figure 1 Flow chart of the research study

In an organizational context using a flowchart, as shown in Figure 1, the idea

of a research methodology for this study can be represented. The hydrogeophysical

investigation is carried out at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) to

study groundwater resources. Focus primarily on field work of analyzing 2D

resistivity data to identify the groundwater potential zone. In a granite field, high-

resolution electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) and induced polarization (IP) dataset

will be gathered to obtain the location of groundwater. The research and

interpretation will be focused on resistivity models and induced polarization (IP)

surveys of two 400- meter and 800-meter survey lines. After the 2D analysis has

been completed, the location of the groundwater potential zone can be determined.

Then, the groundwater will be extracted after the potential drilling location is

obtain and efficiency of well performance will be determined through pumping

tests. Constant-rate tests, which maintain pumping at the control well at a constant

rate, step-drawdown tests, which proceed through a sequence of constant-rate steps

at the control well to determine well performance characteristics such as well loss

and well efficiency, and recovery tests, which use water-level (residual drawdown)

measurements after the termination of pumping, are examples of common

pumping tests. A recovery test is an important element of any pumping test, despite

the fact that it is typically understood independently (Catchments et al., 1987).

Meanwhile, laboratory work is conducted to achieve the goals of testing the

groundwater quality obtained. The groundwater will be measured in the laboratory

after the position of the water well is obtained. Groundwater testing quality

including physical characteristics, chemical characteristics and heavy metals. For

physical characteristics the test will be colour, taste, odour, turbidity and

temperature. Meanwhile, dissolve oxygen (DO) test, biochemical oxygen demand

(BOD) test, residual chlorine, nitrate, phosphate, and pH level is for chemical

characteristic. Lastly, the heavy metal that will be tested are iron, magnesium,

chromium, zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel, and lead. The aim of the testing is to

guarantee a minimum level of polluted material that is permissible for drinking

purposes.
1.5 Expected Significance Contribution

Other water supplies need to be discovered to address all the issues arise

because of the rapid population growth in UPNM. The significance of this research

is to minimize the cost of water use by seeking an alternative drinking water which

can also be an alternative source of water in the study area. Consideration to be

taken into account is the danger to human health, as this study will provide students

at UPNM with an alternative drinking water. A pumping test programme will allow

some yield characteristics and well potential to be determined. It is also possible

to determine the well's efficiency as an indicator of its hydraulic conditions and

confirmation of the aquifer's hydrogeological character. The hydraulic

characteristics of the aquifer are determined by the pumping test, as well as the

influence of current or future abstraction from the well on the aquifer's

groundwater condition.

Thus, it is also possible to groundwater be contaminated with specific

chemicals, such as fluoride or arsenic. Laboratory testing is therefore necessary in

order to guarantee a minimum level of polluted material that is permissible for

drinking purposes. Thus, groundwater can be an alternative drinking water and an

additional source of water in the study area. Then, it is possible to reduce the cost

of water usage.

All the objectives are supposed to be met by the results of this report. We will

be able to analyze the 2D resistivity data from images generated by tomographic

techniques by the end of this study. The 2-D resistivity produces a two-dimensional

cross section. Electrical tomography, also referred to as electrical imaging, is a

survey method that aims to generate an image of the subsurface electrical

properties by moving an electrical current along several different paths and

measuring the voltage associated with it. Other than that, in line with the green

campus initiative campaign at UPNM, we will be able to find the water well and

will evaluate if the groundwater is acceptable and safe for drinking purposes.
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