Assessing the efficiency of the effluent treatment plant at Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited, Lugazi Municipality in Buikwe district

Abstract

This study is about assessing the efficiency of effluent treatment plant at Sugar Corporation of Uganda limited, Lugazi Municipality in Buikwe District. The specific objectives of the study included determining the physio-chemical water parameters such as PH, TDS, TSS, TEMP, EC, DO, BOD, COD, Turbidity, Fecal Coliforms, Sulphates, Nitrates, Oil, fats and grease of the influent and also determining the same physio-chemical parameters of the effluent point of E.T.P. An experimental kind of study was adopted and both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were employed. Data was analyzed using both excel and SPSS and presented inform of tables and graphs. The study findings revealed that the E.T.P was 75.63 efficient in terms of treating waste water towards meeting national standards. This made it able to fit almost all water parameters to meet national standards however, E.C and fecal coliforms didn’t comply with the national standards for effluent discharge. In view of the above, various recommendations including regulatory authorities should strengthen the enforcement of the regulations and policies in place especially through regular and thorough inspections to ensure validity of reports submitted by the industries, Waste Water Treatment Plant at SCOUL should treat the waste water using integrated approaches through blending both chemical and biological methods and also the environmental SCOUL department should also enhance close supervision and monitoring of workers at the E.T.P to ensure efficient wastewater treatment.