Abstract
The physicochemical qualities of the final effluents of an urban wastewater treatment plant in South Africa were assessed between August 2007 and July 2008 as well as their impact on the receiving watershed. The pH values across all sampling points ranged between 6.8 and 8.3, while the temperature varied from 18°C to 25°C. Electrical conductivity (EC) of the samples was in the range of 29–1,015 μS/cm, and turbidity varied between 2.7 and 35 NTU. Salinity and total dissolved solids (TDS) varied from 0.36 to 35 psu and 16 to 470 mg/L, respectively. The concentrations of the other physicochemical parameters are as follows: chemical oxygen demand (COD, 48–1,180 mg/L); dissolved oxygen (DO, 3.9–6.6 mg/L); nitrate (0.32–6.5 mg NO\(_{3}^{-}\) as N/L); nitrite (0.06–2.4 mg NO\(_{2}^{-}\) as N/L); and phosphate (0.29–0.54 mg PO\(_{4}^{3-}\) as P/L). pH, temperature, EC, turbidity, TDS, DO, and nitrate varied significantly with season and sampling point (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively), while salinity varied significantly with sampling point (P < 0.01) and COD and nitrite varied significantly with season (P < 0.05). Although the treated effluent fell within the recommended water quality standard for pH temperature, TDS, nitrate and nitrite, it fell short of stipulated standards for other parameters. The result generally showed a negative impact of the discharged effluent on the receiving watershed and calls for a regular and consistent monitoring program by the relevant authorities to ensure best practices with regard to treatment and discharge of wastewater into the receiving aquatic milieu in South Africa.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Akan, J. C., Abdulrahman, F. I., Ayodele, J. T., & Ogugbuaja, V. O. (2007). Studies on the effect of municipal waste and industrial effluent on the pollutant levels of River Challawa, Kano State, Nigeria. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 2(4), 530–535.
Akan, J. C., Abdulrahman, F. I., Dimari, G. A., & Ogugbuaja, V. O. (2008). Physicochemical determination of pollutants in wastewater and vegetable samples along the Jakara wastewater channel in Kano Metropolis, Kano State, Nigeria. European Journal of Scientific Research, 23(1), 122–133.
Boyacioglu, H. (2007). Development of water quality index based on a European classification scheme. Water South Africa, 33(1), 101–106.
Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment [CCME] (2006). Municipal wastewater effluent in Canada: A report of the municipal wastewater effluent development committee. Retrieved January 27, 2009 from http://www.ccme.ca/assets/pdf/mwwe_general_backgrounder_e.pdf.
Chapman, D. (1996). Water quality assessments: A guide to the use of biota, sediments and water in environmental monitoring (2nd ed.). London: UNESCO, World Health Organization, United Nations Environment Programme.
Correll, D. L. (1998). The role of phosphorus and eutrophication of receiving waters: A review. Journal of Environmental Quality, 27, 261–266.
Dojlido, J. R., & Best, G. A. (1993). Chemistry of water and water pollution. Great Britain: Ellis Horwood.
DWAF (1992). Analytical methods manual, TR 151. Pretoria: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.
DWAF (1996a). South African water quality guidelines (Vol. 2), recreational water use (2nd ed.). Pretoria: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.
DWAF (1996b). South African water quality guidelines (Vol. 1), domestic uses (2nd ed.) Pretoria: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.
DWAF (1996c). South African water quality guidelines (Vol. 7), aquatic ecosystems (1st ed.). Pretoria: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.
DWAF (2003). Strategic framework for water services. Pretoria: Government Printer.
DWAF, & WRC (1995). Procedures to assess effluent discharge impacts. WRC Report No. TT 64/94, South African Water Quality Management Series, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and Water Research Commission, Pretoria.
Environment Canada (2001). The state of municipal wastewater effluent in Canada. Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3. Retrieved January 27, 2009 from http://www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree.
FAO (1992). Wastewater treatment and use in agriculture. Food and Agricultural Organization irrigation and drainage paper 47. FAO corporate document repository. Retrieved January 27, 2009 from http://www.fao.org/docrep/T0551E/t0551e00.htm.
Fatoki, S. O., Gogwana, P., & Ogunfowokan, A. O. (2003). Pollution assessment in the Keiskamma River and in the impoundment downstream. Water South Africa, 29(3), 183–187.
Government Gazette (1984). Requirements for the purification of wastewater or effluent. South African Gazette no. 9225, Regulation, 991.
Hacioglu, N., & Dulger, B. (2009). Monthly variation of some physicochemical and microbiological parameters in Biga stream (Biga, Canakkale, Turkey). African Journal of Biotechnology, 8(9), 1927–1937.
Hu, B. (2009). New strategies for environmental water analysis. In Proceedings of the international conference and exhibition on water and the environment, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2–4 March 2009.
Igbinosa, E. O., & Okoh, A. I. (2009). Impact of discharge wastewater effluents on the physicochemical qualities of a receiving watershed in a typical rural community. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 6(2), 175–182.
Mackintosh, G., & Colvin, C. (2002). Failure of rural schemes in South Africa to provide potable water. Environmental Geology, 44, 101–105.
Mamba, B. B., Krause, R. W., Matsebula, B., & Haarhof, J. (2009). Monitoring natural organic matter and disinfection by-products at different stages in two South African water treatment plants. Water South Africa, 35(1), 121–127.
Manios, T., Gaki, E., Banou, S., Ntigakis, D., & Andreadakis, A. (2006). Qualitative monitoring of a treated wastewater reuse extensive distribution system: COD, TSS, EC, and pH. Water South Africa, 32(1), 99–104.
Mayer, Jr., F. L., & Ellersieck, M. R. (1988). Experiences with single-species tests for acute toxic effects in freshwater animals. Ambio, 17, 367–375.
Morokov, V. V. (1987). Assessment of river pollutant source. Journal of Water Resources, 14, 1027–1041.
Morrison, G., Fatoki, O. S., Persson, L., & Ekberg, A. (2001). Assessment of the impact of point source pollution from the Keiskammahoek sewage treatment plant on the Keiskamma River—pH, electrical conductivity, oxygen demanding substance (COD) and nutrients. Water South Africa, 27(4), 475–480.
Obi, C. L., Momba, M. N. B., Samie, A., Igumbor, J. O., Green, E., & Musie, E. (2007). Microbiological, physicochemical and management parameters impinging on the efficiency of small water treatment plants in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces of South Africa. Water South Africa, 33(2), 229–237.
Obi, C. L., Onabolu, B., Momba, M. N. B., Igunbor, J. O., Ramalivahna, J., Bessong, P. O., et al. (2006). The interesting cross-paths of HIV/AIDS and water in Southern Africa with special reference to South Africa. Water South Africa, 32(3), 323–343.
Ogunfowokan, A. O., Okoh, E. K., Adenuga, A. A., & Asubiojo, O. I. (2005). Assessment of the impact of point source pollution from a university sewage treatment oxidation pond on the receiving stream—A preliminary study. Journal of Applied Sciences, 6(1), 36–43.
Oluyemi, E. A., Adekunle, A. S., Makinde, W. O., Kaisam1, J. P., Adenuga, A. A., & Oladipo, A. A. (2006). Quality evaluation of water sources in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria. European Journal of Scientific Research, 15(3), 319–326.
Pearson, I., & Idema, G. (1998). CSIR Division of Water, Environment and Forestry Technology, Pretoria. WRC Report No. 649/1/98, Water Research Commission, Pretoria, South Africa.
Pradhan, U. K., Shirodkar, P. V., & Sahu, B. K. (2009). Physicochemical characteristics of the coastal water off Devi estuary, Orissa and evaluation of its seasonal changes using chemometric techniques. Current Science, 96(9), 1203–1209.
SANCOR (1984). In J. A. Lusher (Ed.), Report of the ad hoc working committee established by the Marine Pollution Committee of the South African National Committee for Oceanographic Research, South African Network for Coastal and Oceanic Research.
Shirodkar, P. V., Mesquita, A., Pradhan, U. K., Verlekar, X. N., Buba, M. T., & Vethamony, P. (2009). Factors controlling physicochemical characteristics in the coastal waters off Mangalore—A multivariate approach. Environmental Research, 109, 245–257.
Shyamala, R., Shanthi, M., & Lalitha, P. (2008). Physicochemical analysis of borewell water samples of Telungupalayam area in Coimbatore District, Tamilnadu, India. E-Journal of Chemistry, 5(4), 924–929.
Tomida, S., Hanai, T., Ueda, N., Honda, H., & Kobayashi, T. (1999). Construction of COD simulation model for activated sludge process by fuzzy neural network. Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 88(2), 215–220.
Whitfield, A., & Bate, G. (2007). A review of information on temporarily open/closed estuaries in the warm and cool temperate biogeographic regions of South Africa, with particular emphasis on the influence of river flow on these systems. WRC Report No. 1581/1/07.
WHO (2004). Rolling revision of the WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality, draft for review and comments. Nitrates and nitrites in drinking-water. World Health Organization (WHO/SDE/WSH/04.08/56).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Odjadjare, E.E.O., Okoh, A.I. Physicochemical quality of an urban municipal wastewater effluent and its impact on the receiving environment. Environ Monit Assess 170, 383–394 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-1240-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-1240-y