Environmental Problems Of Industrial Wastewater In Ikeja Local Government Area Of Lagos State

ABSTRACT

This study examined the effects of industrial wastewater on the environment of Ikeja by identifying

the industries that generate and discharge wastewater. It also examined the physico-chemical

composition of the wastewater and determined the spatial distribution of wastewater discharge and

its relationship with environmental pollution. It compared the waste water quality of the sampled

industries in the study area with LASEPA regulatory standards. Field collection of wastewater

samples were undertaken in 2009 from nine (9) groups of industries and the physico-chemical

analysis was conducted at the federal institute of Industrial Research, (FIIRO) Oshodi, Lagos. The

total number of nine waste water samples was collected at source. The result of the laboratory

analysis shows that most of the industries discharge untreated wastewater into the environment

while some that have treatment plants do not properly treat their wastewater. Principal

Components Analysis (PCA), isolated five wastewater parameters identified as major pollutants from

the wastewater which are iron (Fe), turbidity (TUR), pH, Chlorine (Cl) and Lead (Pb). Also two group

of industries, Food, beverages, hotels and farms (FBH) and Cosmetics, soap and detergents (CSD)

account for 86.56% of environmental pollution arising from industrial wastewater in Ikeja. The

pollution is most concentrated in the west central part of Ikeja. The problems created by the

discharge of untreated wastewater include pollution of surface and underground water. Field

observations showed that the problems of flooding, destruction of crops and farmland, reduction of

aesthetic values of the environment and increase in reported cases of sickness and diseases could be

associated with indiscriminate waste water disposal. The study concluded that the activities of

waste water generating industries in Ikeja LGA have a negative impact on the environment

of Ikeja.

The study therefore recommends that the government of LAGOS State and indeed Ikeja Local

Government Area should review their environmental policy to reflect the current trends in

sound environmental management and global best practices, among other suggestions.