Wastewaters form a major segment of the water cycle in an increasingly urbanised world. These wastewaters have the potential to pollute both surface and underground water bodies thereby posing risks to the health of humans and other animals, in additional to other environmental challenges. This thesis examined the effect of Wupa Wastewater Treatment Plant on surface and underground water sources around Zhidu Settlement in Abuja. The study encompasses a thorough analysis of physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters in both water sources. Surface water exhibited variations in pH, conductivity, and other parameters, while underground water displayed more stable characteristics. The findings from the surface water analysis revealed near-neutral to slightly alkaline pH levels of 7.32 - 7.92 and variable conductivity of 0.16 to 0.233uS/cm. Chemical analysis focused on parameters such as dissolved oxygen and BOD whose values indicated organic pollution load, with range from 5.5 to 11.5 mg/l. Similar analyses were conducted for underground water, showcasing differences in pH ranging from 5.66 to 7.43 indicating slightly acidic to neutral water. BOD for underground values ranged from 4.8 to 8.4mg/l which indicate high level of organic matter. Microbiological parameters were also tested for underground samples including total bacteria count, fecal coliform, and specific pathogens. The study concludes with recommendations for enhanced turbidity management and the need to identify the cause of high BOD in both surface and underground water bodies. These recommendations aim to enhance water management practices and ensure the sustainability of water resources in the Zhidu settlement.
Key words: Wastewater, Environment, Wastewater Treatment, World Health Organisation, Water Quality, Surface Water, Underground Water, Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality
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