RE-EXAMINING RAW EFFLUENTS FROM NIGERIAN BOTTLING COMPANY MAIDUGURI FOR CROP IRRIGATION

Industries are among the heavy users of freshwater globally which implies large volumes of wastewater being generated and discharged. This becomes an environmental threat if not properly handled but can equally be beneficial for agriculture when used effectively. In arid and semi-arid regions where water is scarce, the use of wastewater is becoming increasingly popular. In this study, samples of wastewater and soil were collected from the Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria; analysed using Inductively-Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICPOES), Most Probable Number (MPN), pH and Electrical Conductivity (EC) meters; and compared with previous studies at the site. The results showed that all parameters obtained (pH 6.98, SAR 1.18, Coliform count 92, Chlorine 6.2 meqL-1 and Boron 1.10 mgL-1) were within safe limits and can be recommended for irrigation. Similarly, the soil at the study area was found to be sandy loam (Sand 62%, Silt 20% and Clay 18%) with Infiltration rate (I), 123 mmhr-1, Available Moisture Capacity (AMC), 12.1%, Bulk Density, 1.38 gcm-3, pH 6.4 and Electrical Conductivity of Concentration Extract, (ECe), 3.8 msm-1 which is good for many crops. However, intrusion by stray animals into the earth pond where the wastewater is discharged should be prevented as this is the main source of pollution since the company treats its wastewater within acceptable limits as recommended by Nigerian Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) before discharge.