Water quality assessment of recreational waterbodies in Jengka, Malaysia

Abstract

Recreational waterbodies support community activities and provide important ecosystem services. This study assessed physicochemical parameters and metal concentrations in two recreational waterbodies in Jengka, Pahang, Malaysia: Woodtech Lake and the Jengka Wonderland water-park pond. Fifteen water samples were collected from each site and analysed for temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, iron (Fe), aluminium (Al), and manganese (Mn). Woodtech Lake had lower mean EC, TDS, and salinity values of 59 µS/cm, 116 mg/L, and 56 ppm, respectively, compared with 401.6 µS/cm, 806.8 mg/L, and 401.8 ppm at Jengka Wonderland. Metal concentrations were also lower at Woodtech Lake. Aluminium and Fe were detected at both sites, whereas Mn was detected only at Jengka Wonderland. Iron had the highest mean concentration among the measured metals, while the mean Al concentration at Jengka Wonderland (0.088 mg/L) exceeded the selected guideline value of 0.06 mg/L. The reported metal evaluation index (MEI) values indicated low metal contamination at both sites, with higher values at Jengka Wonderland. These differences may reflect variation in catchment conditions and surrounding land-use activities. The findings provide baseline information for monitoring and managing recreational waterbodies in Jengka. Further assessment, including microbiological analysis and seasonal monitoring, is required to establish their suitability for recreational use.