The Effectiveness of PAC and Chitosan Usage in Jeneberang River Raw Water Treatment

Abstract

Raw water treatment commonly uses effective coagulants with the purpose to reduce the concentration of particles causing turbidity. One of the most popular coagulants is poly aluminum chloride (PAC) with some advantages. It has low corrosiveness. Formed floccules are relatively easier to detach and pH result is in moderate level. Another alternative chemical substance as a coagulant is Chitosan, a high degradability, non-toxic substance, with high market availability. Chitosan usage produces small amount of sludge and no cationic residue. This research intended to analyze the comparison of effectiveness of PAC and chitosan as coagulants for raw water treatment in Jeneberang River. Samples were taken in two locations; at the long storage (first location) and at the ground sill (second location) in Jeneberang River. Samples were analysed at Water Quality Laboratory of Environmental Engineering Department, Engineering Faculty, Hasanuddin University. For first location, PAC has 94.57% effectiveness to reduce turbidity when compared to as for chitosan which gained 69.67% effectiveness in reducing turbidity. Therefore, the results show that PAC is more effective and efficient as a coagulant for raw water treatment in Jeneberang River when compared to Chitosan.