Impact of Peat River Water Quality Deterioration on Chemical Demand in Municipal Drinking Water Treatment
Wetri Febrina1, Andiyan Andiyan2,3*, Nanik Astuti Rahman4, Nyimas Yanqoritha5, Lilla Puji Lestari6 and Iin Arianti7

1Department of Industrial Engineering, Institut Teknologi dan Bisnis Riau Pesisir, Dumai, Indonesia.
2Department of Architecture, Universitas Winaya Mukti, Bandung, Indonesia
3Doctoral Student, Architecture Program, Department of Architecture and Planning, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
4Departement Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Nasional Malang, Malang,Indonesia
5Department of Industrial Engineering, Universitas Prima Indonesia, Medan, Indonesia
6Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Maarif Hasyim Latif, Sidoarjo,
Indonesia
7Department of Civil Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Pontianak, Pontianak, Indonesia

Abstract

Peatland ecosystems are highly vulnerable to land use changes and hydrological disturbances. In Riau Province, Indonesia, peat rivers function as the main source of raw water for municipal supply systems. However, drainage, land conversion, and recurrent peat fires have accelerated the leaching of organic matter and mobilization of metals into surrounding water bodies. This study evaluates the quality of peat river water as a raw water source and interprets its characteristics as indicators of environmental degradation within the catchment. Key parameters analyzed include pH, color, turbidity, and chemical oxygen demand (COD), which were compared against national raw water quality standards. The results reveal elevated color intensity, acidic pH, and high turbidity, reflecting humic substance release linked to peat oxidation and land disturbance. Increased coagulant demand during treatment highlights operational challenges caused by watershed degradation. These findings suggest that peat river water quality represents not only a technical constraint for treatment but also a critical environmental signal of ecosystem decline. Therefore, integrated watershed management and peatland restoration are essential to secure sustainable raw water supplies and reduce long-term treatment burdens while supporting broader ecological resilience.

Keywords: Peat Water, Environmental Degradation, Raw Water Quality, Municipal Water Treatment, Coagulant.

Topic: Energy and Environmental Physics