Assessment of level of Physico-Chemical parameters of industrial effluents on a stream near a Pharmaceutical Industry within Ntinda-Nakawa Indusrtial area.

Abstract

The discharge of industrial effluents to waterbodies poses significant environmental concerns due to potential contamination and adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems. This study aimed to assess the level of physico-chemical parameters of industrial effluents on a stream near a pharmaceutical industry within Nakawa-Ntinda industrial area in comparison to the National standards. Water samples were collected from form different points i.e. upstream and ED point and were subjected to rigorous laboratory analysis to determine various physico-chemical parameters.

These parameters included pH, Chemical oxygen demand(COD), Total suspended Solids(TSS), Biological oxygen demand(BOD) and microbial analysis (E. coli count).The results of the analysis revealed that nearly all the water quality parameters were below the NEMA Standards (2020) for discharge i.e. pH, COD, TSS and BOD except microbial analysis (E. coli counts). The pH was within the range with a mean pH value of (6.2), COD with a mean concentration of (65.5mg/l), TSS with a mean concentration of (48mg/l), BOD with a mean concentration of (46mg/l) while E. coli count exceeded the MPL with a mean concentration of (475CFU/100ml).

The relatively high E. coli count was attributed to presence of accumulation of fecal matter released into the stream by the surrounding industries as well as from non-point sources of contamination and also the raw or improperly treated pharmaceutical effluents discharged into the stream. This raised serious public health issues particularly for communities relying on the stream as a water source.

This study showed that the discharge of effluents from the nearby industry into Kalume stream negatively imparted on the microbiological quality of the stream and therefore recommendations to reduce on this were made.