Comparative Analysis of Effluent Discharge from Emene Industrial Area of Enugu, Nigeria, With National and International Standards

Abstract

Effluent from industries particularly in developing countries are in most cases discharged into the adjoining environment, and water bodies being mostly affected. Some of these effluents are not well treated or not even treated at all before being discharged. This study analyses the effluent being discharged from Emene Industrial area, comparing it with the Nigerian and international discharged standards. Sample of the waste water was  collected at the point where the waste is being discharged into Ekulu river. Laboratory analysis of the sample was carried out, using physiochemical and biological parameters. The results were statistically analysed, using Analysis of variance to show that at least one or more of the physiochemical and biological characteristics of the effluent at all selected standards differ significantly at 0.05 significant level. This manifested in the abnormal presence or concentration in the effluent of various parameters used in the analysis. This implies that the industrial effluents discharged from the area are either not properly treated or not even being treated at all before being discharged. Hence, they do not meet the National and International standards. This, definitely will impact negatively on the receiving Ekulu river. Enforcement of cost effective cleaner production technology among other measures have been recommended to ameliorate the situation.

Key Word: Analysis, Effluent, Compared, Nigeria, International