THE EFFECT OF ABATTOIR EFFLUENT ON SURFACE WATER QUALITY (A CASE STUDY OF INACHALO RIVER, IDAH REACH)

This paper examined the impact of abattoir wastes on water quality around the abattoir site in Inachalo River. The work was premised on the fact that untreated waste from the abattoir are discharged directly into open drainage which flows into a nearby stream. Leachates from dumped and decomposed waste have also been observed to percolate into soil, and also flow into the River. Water sample were collected from three points along the River and subjected to laboratory analysis using standard methods for parameters such as Ph ,Electrical Conductivity, Temperature, Total Dissolved Solid (TDS, Total Suspended Solid, DO2, Turbidity, nitrate, Sulphate and Chloride and also for some heavy metals such as, Lead(pb), Iron(fe), Copper(cu), Boron(B), Aluminum(Al). The laboratory test and the analysis variance were utilized to determine the variation of the analyzed properties. It was discovered that most of the Parameters such as Ph(6.67), DO(5.6), TDS(58), Cd(0.009), Cu(0.27), B(0.14) are still below the Nigeria Standard for drinking water quality and World Health Organisation (WHO) accepted limit despite that continuous discharge of these wastes into the stream however, may in no distant time pose a threat to human health. The paper thus conclude by recommending that a mechanism be put in place for the treatment of these abattoir wastes before they are then properly disposed of.