Abstract

The impact of abattoir effluent on the quality of surface and underground water in Yola Metropolis was studied. Water samples from Rivers, Wells and Boreholes were tested using standard analytical method for Temperature, Turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids, Electrical Conductivity, PH, Copper, Manganese, Sulphate, Iron, Zinc, Nitrate, Nitrite, E. coli, and Total Coliform. Water samples were collected from twenty different points with a control sample point. The result of abattoir effluent analysis revealed its pollution potential as it had ranges of the means values of all the parameters measured for Temperature 32.17-27.00°C, Manganese 2.1-1.2 mg/L, E. coli and Total Coliform were 58-6 and 78-27 cfu/ml respectively which were higher than WHO permissible limit. Part of the sample points of Turbidity, TDS, Electrical Conductivity, Iron and BOD were higher than that of the WHO maximum limits for effluent discharge into surface water. Pollution of ground and surface water through discharge of wastes is evidenced by the high concentrations of physico-chemical parameters and trace metals above the acceptable limits. It is recommended that a pretreatment system should be constructed before the discharge of the waste through a constructed lined drain to the nearby River Chouchi which is about 500m away.