In increase of pathogenic bacteria Echrichia coli in the surface water in the river, ground and lakes water is a concern as it is the main precursor to health hazard disinfection in conventional drinking water treatment systems. One possibility of growing interest in water utilities is the technology of riverbank filtration (RBF). RBF is a new method that could introduce non-chemical techniques and natural treatments in Malaysia. Although RBF systems are efficient in reducing or removing the concentrations of contaminants, they are mostly ineffective in the removal of pathogenic bacteria especially during flood and wet seasons. This literature focused on reports published at the last years including the pathogenic bacteria i.e. the total coliform, bacteria E. coli, Giardia lamblia, Leptospira interrogans, Cryptosporidium spp., Enterococci, Cyanobacteria as well as other baceria i.e. Clostridium perfringens. Using this method, the analysis provided an overview of the removal rates of pathogens as the main indicators of BF efficiency. In order to understand and develop further knowledge on RBF, at different locations in Malaysia. Three pilot projects of RBF facilities were constructed in the states of Selangor, Perak, and Kedah. The results from the proposed analytical model are well matched with the data collected from a RBF site in France. After this validation, the model was then applied to the first pilot project of a RBF system conducted in Malaysia. Sensitivity analysis results highlighted the importance of the degradation rates of contaminants on surface water (rivers, lakes and groundwater) quality after removal of pathogens, for which higher utilization rates led to the faster consumption of pollutants. The development perspective of RBF in Malaysia is promising. With the establishment of a management system, improvement of the monitoring system, reinforcement of legal protection, and promotion of civic awareness, Malaysia RBF will play an important role in development of the water resource industry.