Statistical analysis of Macau source water quality data

Abstract

Drinking water quality is closely related to the daily life of each Macau resident. This study evaluates the water quality of two Macau water reservoirs: Mr Rua Dos Reservatorio Do Porto Exterior (MMR) and Sr Reservatorio Do Seac Paul Van (Pumping Statio) (MSR). The obtained water quality data were evaluated with different multivariate techniques in this study, including Water Quality Index (WQI), Principle Component Analysis (PCA), Cluster Analysis (CA) and Pearson’s R Correlation analysis. The data evaluated range from January 2015 to December 2017. The calculated WQI values are all above 80, indicating of a desirable Macau water quality. The correlation between the selected water quality parameters are analyzed by Pearson’s R correlation analysis. PCA aims at identifying the underlying impacting factors on water quality. The results of PCA and Pearson’s R correlation analyses show that algae bloom and seawater imbibition may be the key factors influencing the water quality. CA shows that the clustering of the data can be carried out based upon season, temperature and precipitation. This study aims to provide a preliminary evaluation of Macau water quality and discussed the factors which will influence the water quality.