Periodic determination of physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics of wastewater effluents for possible reuse as irrigation water

Abstract

A comprehensive understanding of wastewater characteristics is vital in the design and operation of collection, treatment, and disposal facilities and the engineering management of environmental quality. Municipal wastewater generated from the Federal University of Technology, Akure and discharged untreated was determined for feasible irrigation reuse. In this study, physicochemical (odour, temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids, suspended solids, total hardness, pH, alkalinity, chlorides, nitrates, and phosphates) and bacteriological parameters (total bacterial count and total coliform) of wastewater were examined. The maximum value (1408 mg/L) of the total dissolved solids was found in the sample collected from Akindeko hall in the evening and the pH values ranges between 7.09 and 8.41. Maximum nitrate is 58.2 mg/L in the sample collected from Abiola hostel, phosphate is 43.4 mg/L in Akindeko hostel, and chloride is 243.2 mg/L in Abiola hostel. The total bacterial count and total coliform count range from 93.67 to 148.33 mg/L and 115.33 to 136 mg/L. The findings of the study conclude that the wastewater quality of the university’s halls of residence was above the standard value of the United States Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for irrigation reuse when compared. This implies that its usage for irrigation without treatment should be prohibited, since it adversely affects the soil’s properties and releases hazardous substances to the environment. It is, therefore, recommended that a sustainable treatment system be provided to adequately treat all wastewater generated from the university and prevent extra expenses for soil treatment while reutilize for irrigation to supplement natural rainfall for agricultural purposes.