Evaluation of some industrial effluents in Jos metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Industrial effluents are generally discharged into receiving water bodies or disposed on land. These effluents are often used by the communities around for domestic activities like farming. Sometimes effluents gain access into wells or streams within the community. Analyses aimed to determine the strength of effluents of three different industries in Jos metropolis: industry A (a food industry), industry B (a pharmaceutical outfit) and Industry C (a water treatment plant) using parameters such as physicochemical, chemical and microbiological tests. Analyses revealed that National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) limits for pH, chloride, oil and grease, zinc, copper and sodium were met by the industries. Industries A and B passed the test for BOD5 but industry C failed. Only industry C passed the test for COD. All the industries failed the tests for sulphide, iron and lead while only Industry A failed the test for free chlorine and nitrates. The most probable number per 100 mL maximum limit was met by industry C alone. High concentrations of microbiological, chemical and physicochemical pollutants being discharged into the environment can be checked by continual monitoring and surveillance by regulatory authorities and education of communities to ensure a healthy environment. Key words: Chemical, microbiological and physicochemical tests, industrial effluents, NESREA limits.