Decay of ammonia nitrogen and coliforms from sewage treatment plant in receiving streams

This study was conducted to monitor the ammonia nitrogen and coliforms and its decay discharged from a sewage treatment plant in the receiving stream. Samplings were conducted using insitu continuous monitoring, composite and grab samples. The sewage treatment utilized an extended activated sludge system and was not operated as per design in removing ammonia nitrogen. The effects on the stream were evaluated by monitoring dissolved oxygen, ammonia nitrogen and total coliform. It was found that, the decay rate for ammonia-nitrogen in the receiving stream selected was found to be 0.075, total coliform average decay rate at 10 am and 3 pm was 0.061 and 0.086, respectively. Malaysia needs proper guidelines in discharging ammonia and coliform into water bodies in order to control its water quality.