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The effects of Niger State
water treatment plant effluent on its receiving river (Kaduna)
Oyeleke, S. B.* and Istifanus, N.
Department of Microbiology, Federal University of
Technology, Minna, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
droyeleke@yahoo.com.
Accepted 19 March, 2008 |
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The effect of water
treatment plant effluent on its receiving river (Kaduna) was
examined. Samples were collected from the effluents
discharge from Chanchaga water treatment plant into upstream
and down stream of the receiving river monthly for six
month. Samples were analyzed in the laboratory for microbial
counts and identification, as well as physico-chemical
properties. Laboratory analysis confirmed that the sludge
recorded the highest number of pathogenic organisms like
Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis,
Aeromonas hydrophila, Shigella sonnei,
Chromobacterium violaceum, Salmonella typhi,
Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus
flavus and Aspergillus niger. The result depicts
seasonal changes in which higher numbers of microorganisms
were recorded during the raining season. The values of total
alkalinity, chloride, dissolve oxygen, sulphate, biochemical
oxygen demand, organic matter and turbidity of sludges were
all higher than the Federal Environmental Protection Agency
(FEPA) limits for effluent discharge into surface water. The
investigation revealed that the water treatment plant
effluent may have adverse effects on its immediate
environment.
Key words:
Effluent, physicochemical, pathogenic microorganisms. |
