Abstract

The microbiological and physico-chemical analyses of water samples obtained from the Orogodo River, Agbor, at point of industrial effluent discharge (Location 2) and at 100 m before (Location 1) and 100 m after (Location 3), were carried out using standard methods to determine the impact of the discharge on the water quality. While the temperature, conductivity, biological oxygen demand, and coliform counts increased from Stations 1 to 3 and pH, hardness, alkalinity and dissolved oxygen decreased from Stations 1 to 3, the solids (total, suspended and dissolved) and nitrates increased from Station 1 to 2 and decreased thereafter to Station 3 while heterotrophic bacterial counts increased from Station 1 to 2 and 3 and sulphate, which was equal for Stations 1 and 2, decreased in Station 3. Most of the parameters were above set limits by regulatory bodies. Thus, the industrial effluents contained much solids and oxygen-demanding materials with deleterious effects on the water quality, to the extent that it may not be potable without treatment. There is the paramount need to treat these industrial effluents prior to discharge into the River Orogodo.

Key words: Water, analyses, effluent, treatment, discharge, potable.