Assessment of the Impacts of Industrial Effluent Discharges on the Water Quality of Asa River, Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the impact of industrial effluent discharges on the water quality of Asa River, Ilorin, Nigeria. Sections of Asa River along its course were studied over the period of twenty four months (between April, 2011 and March, 2013) to determine the effects of effluents discharges on water qualities in term of its physical and chemical parameters, and heavy metal. Water samples were collected and analyzed monthly from three different sites along the river course for physical, chemical and heavy metals using standard laboratory procedures and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results revealed that the level of pollution varied greatly with sampling sites and season, and that the water quality was fairly acceptable at sampling site A and became grossly impaired at the two other sampling sites (B and C), indicating significant pollution from nearby Agricultural, Industrial and domestic premises. Statistically, virtually all the physical, chemical and heavy metal parameters analyzed were found to be significant when compared with the control water sample from sampling site A. Also, there were series of deviations in the obtained values from World Health Organization,National Industrial Standard and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency's standards. Therefore, the results suggested that the water in the river was polluted and not good for human consumption. It is then, recommended that the careless disposal of such contaminants should be discouraged with strict enforcement of existing legislation and, vigilance.