Characterization of the activated sludge effluents from an agro-food industry to be used in the watering of a humid, tropical parkland
The wastewater from an agro-food industrial factory, treated by an activated sludge process, was characterized for re-use in the watering of parklands. The factory was located in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The effluent from the sewage treatment plant showed a reduction of the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and five-day Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5 of approximately 96% and had a pH varying between 6.5 and 8.5. Parasites (ankylostomes, anguillules, nematodes, helminths) were also all eliminated. However, on average 1.2 x 106 total coliforms and 8.3 x 103 faecal coliforms per 100 mL were counted. Moreover, the average conductivity of the effluent was 2670 μmhos/cm with an average rate of sodium absorption (SAR) of 23.9. Consequently, the treated effluent did not meet the recommendations of the World Health Organization and was, therefore, not suitable for the watering of parklands. Additional water purification could reduce medical risks and those related to salinity, and allow the re-use of effluents for watering.