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Investigating Industrial Effluent Impact on Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant in Vaal, South Africa

Author

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  • Eunice Iloms

    (Department of Environmental Science, University of South Africa—Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa)

  • Olusola O. Ololade

    (Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa)

  • Henry J. O. Ogola

    (Department of Environmental Science, University of South Africa—Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa
    School of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 210-40601, Bondo, Kenya)

  • Ramganesh Selvarajan

    (Department of Environmental Science, University of South Africa—Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa)

Abstract

Industrial effluents with high concentrations of toxic heavy metals are of great concern because of their persistence and non-degradability. However, poor operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment infrastructure is a great concern in South Africa. In this study, physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals (HMs) concentration of wastewater from five different industries, Leeuwkuil wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) inflow and effluent, and Vaal River water samples were monitored between January and September 2017, to investigate the correlation between heavy metal pollution and the location of industries and ascertain the effectiveness of the municipal WWTP. Physico-chemical variables such as pH, biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC) exhibited both temporal and spatial variations with the values significantly higher in the industrial samples. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) results also showed that aluminium (Al), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were significantly higher in industrial effluents ( p < 0.05), with only Zn and Al exhibiting significant seasonal variability. Statistical correlation analysis revealed a poor correlation between physicochemical parameters and the HMs compositional quality of wastewater. However, toxic HMs (Zn, Cu and Pb) concentrations in treated wastewater from WWTP were above the permissible limits. Although the WWTP was effective in maintaining most of the wastewater parameters within South African Green drop Standards, the higher Cu, Zn, Pb and COD in its final effluent is a concern in terms of Vaal river health and biological diversity. Therefore, we recommend continuous monitoring and maintenance of the WWTPs infrastructure in the study area.

Suggested Citation

  • Eunice Iloms & Olusola O. Ololade & Henry J. O. Ogola & Ramganesh Selvarajan, 2020. "Investigating Industrial Effluent Impact on Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant in Vaal, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:3:p:1096-:d:318434
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hong Ha Thi Vu & Shuai Gu & Thenepalli Thriveni & Mohd Danish Khan & Lai Quang Tuan & Ji Whan Ahn, 2019. "Sustainable Treatment for Sulfate and Lead Removal from Battery Wastewater," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-8, June.
    2. Olusola Oluwayemisi Ololade, 2018. "Understanding the nexus between energy and water: A basis for human survival in South Africa," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(2), pages 194-209, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sekoai, Patrick T. & Chunilall, Viren & Msele, Kwanele & Buthelezi, Lindiswa & Johakimu, Jonas & Andrew, Jerome & Zungu, Manqoba & Moloantoa, Karabelo & Maningi, Nontuthuko & Habimana, Olivier & Swart, 2023. "Biowaste biorefineries in South Africa: Current status, opportunities, and research and development needs," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    2. Marta Rodrigo Sanz & Vanessa Millán Gabet & Jean-Louis Gonzalez, 2021. "Inputs of Total and Labile Dissolved Metals from Six Facilities Continuously Discharging Treated Wastewaters to the Marine Environment of Gran Canaria Island (Canary Islands, Spain)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-16, November.

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