Abstract & Overview
The impact of discharged treated wastewater effluents on the physicochemical parameters of Mvudi River was appraised over the period of July to September 2012.Physicochemical parameters measured included pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, chemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon, nitrate, and orthophosphate.The parameters were concurrently monitored in the treated final effluents and the receiving stream.High levels were observed for chemical oxygen demand, nitrate, orthophosphate, total organic carbon, conductivity, total dissolved solid during winter and spring seasons.They were above prescribed limits as stipulated by Department of Water Affairs-South Africa and World Health Organisation for treated waste water effluents.Low pH was observed for discharged effluents which could be attributed to organic acids produced in the anaerobic digestion of the sewage effluents.The study indicated moderate impact of the poorly treated effluents on the physicochemical properties of Mvudi River.High levels of nutrients and high COD, TOC observed could lead to eutrophication and oxygen depletion respectively and thus endanger aquatic organisms.Municipal authorities should ensure the discharged treated effluents to Mvudi River are within the stipulated guidelines.This could be managed through frequent optimization of the treatment processes and procedures employed in the Waste Water Treatment Plant.