Abstract
Water Treatment Residue (WTR) disposal is a major issue in most parts of the world as well as in Malaysia due to its huge quantity. It is estimated that WTR weighs at 2 % of the total treated water quantity. In 2014, Malaysia produces 16,000 million L/d (MLD) of drinking water. The water treatment plants produced 320 MLD of WTR. Only 30 % of the total WTR undergoes treatment prior to discharge into river. The characteristic of the WTR depends on the quality of river water (water source) and the type of coagulants used. Common chemical coagulants used in Malaysia are alum (AlSO4) and poly-aluminum chloride (PAC). These chemical coagulants produce huge amount of aluminium containing WTR. In Malaysia, WTR is categorised as Schedule Waste 204 under Environmental Quality Act 1974, Environmental Quality (Schedule Wastes) Regulation 2005. This research study focused to reuse a portion of WTR as plasticiser mix with laterite earth for clay bricks manufacturing process. The research project investigated physical and mechanical properties of WTR Bricks such as compressive strength, efflorescence effects, bulk density, water absorption, weight reduction according to BS/EN Standard, loss of ignition, toxicity and ecotoxic analysis. The results from this study indicates 40 % WTR – 60 % Laterite combination gives best value of bricks and superior to local manufactured bricks.
