Abstract

In order to contribute to the understanding of the impact of wastewater discharges from a Hospital in south-western Nigeria on the receiving water bodies, the physico-chemical qualities of the two wastewater point sources from the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) Ile–Ife were characterized, and their impacts on the water quality of the receiving Elekete stream were assessed. Eight sampling stations were selected for the study: three, were located each on the unimpacted and impacted sections of the receiving Elekete stream while one each was located on the two wastewater point sources from OAUTHC. The physico-chemical parameters investigated include: oxygen parameters, major cations, major anions, nutrient compounds, physical parameters (temperature, turbidity, solids) as well as pH and conductivity. Samples were collected from each sampling station fortnightly for nine months and analysed using standardised laboratory methods. The results were analysed using relevant statistical methods. The result showed significant difference (P < 0.05) for all parameters between the impacted and unimpacted sections of effluent receiving stream. SO42-, Total Organic Carbon, NH4+, PO43-, and BOD5 were more than three times higher in the impacted section than in the unimpacted section while sample colour, turbidity, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, total solids, conductivity, alkalinity, acidity, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3-, NO3-, and NO2- were about two times higher in the impacted section of the receiving stream than in the unimpacted section. The overall mean concentrations of 293 mg l-1 and 270 mg l-1 BOD5   in the two effluent streams indicate the medium/ strong strength of the wastewater discharges from OAUTHC. This study showed that the wastewater discharge from the (OAUTHC) Ile-Ife has significant impact on the water quality of the receiving streams. The implications are discussed.

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