Bacteriological And Physico-Chemical Qualities Of Waste Water From A Bottling Company In Owerri, Nigeria

Abstract

Waste water in the accumulation pond and final discharge point of Nigerian Bottling Company PLC in Owerri, Nigeria was analyzed to determine their bacteriological and physico-chemical characteristics. Species of organisms isolated included Staphyloccus, Bacillus, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus. Others include Klebsiella, Escherichia, proteus and serratia. However, species of Lactobacillus and proteus were isolated from the final discharge point only. Bacterial count after 72 hours was higher with a maximum count of 6x10⁷ cfu/ml in the final discharge point. The waste water from both points were clear and had the same residual chlorine (1ppm) and iron (1ppm) concentration, while the accumulation pond showed more acidity with a pH of 6.6+1.2. The final discharge contained more dissolved solids (20+1.8ppm) which was double that of the accumulation pond (10+2.2ppm). It was also found that dissolved oxygen was slightly higher (6.0+.26mg/ml) in the final discharge point than accumulation pond (5.0+.33mg/ml). Results of this study were found to be within the permissible limits for effluent discharge specified by the Federal Ministry of environment in Nigeria.

KEY WORDS: Waste water, bacteriological characteristics, physico-chemical characteristics, accumulation pond, final discharge point.

Global Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol.3(1&2) 2004: 51-54