Pollution Assessment: The Influence Of Municipal Sewage On Water Bodies In Obio/Akpor
Ifeanyi Chukwuemeka Nwankwo
Department of Microbiology, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Abdulrazaq Temitope Oladimeji
Department of Microbiology, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study evaluates the impact of municipal sewage disposal on the quality of surface water in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from five different stations along the Rumuolemini community and adjoining creeks along the Iwofe Road axis over a six-month period (June–November). Sampling was conducted three times weekly using standard analytical methods. Heavy metals including zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) were quantified using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), while microbial quality was assessed using the multiple tube fermentation technique to determine the Most Probable Number (MPN) of coliform bacteria.
Results indicated significantly high microbial loads across the stations, with Station 1 showing the highest faecal and total coliform counts at 25,691.00±1.41 and 35,602.5±3.54 MPN/100 mL, respectively. Total heterotrophic bacterial count peaked at Station 4 (6.10±0.14 log CFU/mL). Significant variations in coliform levels were observed among the stations, particularly for total coliforms. Heavy metal concentrations were ranked in descending order as Fe > Mn > Cu > Zn, with iron levels exceeding acceptable thresholds in several samples.
The elevated levels of faecal contamination and heavy metals suggest that the receiving water bodies are significantly polluted due to untreated sewage discharge. These conditions pose serious risks to human and aquatic health, potentially leading to outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, dysentery, and gastroenteritis. Furthermore, high iron content may contribute to water discoloration and habitat degradation.
The study concludes that the current practice of discharging untreated municipal wastewater into local rivers compromises water safety and quality. It recommends the implementation of effective wastewater treatment techniques such as phytoremediation to reduce pollutant loads. Additionally, treated effluents could be repurposed for agricultural irrigation rather than released directly into the environment. Urgent regulatory and infrastructural interventions are required to restore ecological balance and safeguard public health in affected communities