Environmental impacts of wastewater from urban slums: case study - Old Fadama, Accra
Environmental impacts of wastewater from urban slums: case study - Old Fadama, Accra
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Date
2013
Authors
Monney, I
Odai,S.N
Buamah, R
Awuah, E.
Nyenje, P.M
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Development and Sustainability
Abstract
The burgeoning of slums in the developing world poses an urgent environmental threat due to insanitary conditions
and rampant disposal of wastewater. To assess the potential environmental impacts, domestic wastewater from
Ghana's biggest urban slum - Old Fadama was characterised throughout the dry and wet seasons. The study drew on
a comprehensive assessment of the general sanitary conditions in the community to determine the sources of
pollution and water quality monitoring. BOD5 levels of wastewater from the study area were 545.63±99.88mg/L and
645.94±331.43mg/L in the dry and wet seasons respectively whereas COD levels were 1100.45±167.16mg/L and
1415.12±722.83mg/L in the dry and wet seasons respectively. E-coli levels were 4±1x106CFU/100mL and
4200±2400 x106CFU/100mL in the dry and wet seasons respectively whereas total coliform levels also showed the
same trend with 9±2106CFU/100mL and 16800±5100106CFU/100mL in the dry and wet seasons respectively. The
study identifies that wastewater from this community has potential deleterious environmental implications due to
high levels of nutrients, oxygen-demanding substances and faecal coliforms. Pollutants were identified to be
emanating predominantly from open defecation and indiscriminate waste disposal. Efforts should thus be directed
towards improving sanitary conditions viz. access to toilet facilities, waste disposal mechanisms and best
management practices for wastewater.
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Citation
Monney, I., Odai, S. N., Buamah, R., Awuah, E., & Nyenje, P. M. (2013). Environmental impacts of wastewater from urban slums: case study–Old Fadama, Accra. International Journal of development and sustainability, 2(2), 711-728.