Effect of waste disposal sites on physicochemical properties of water in selected states of Southeast Nigeria

Water bodies are constantly being degraded by leachates from waste disposal sites, particularly in the Nigeria cities. This paper investigates the effect of waste disposal sites on physicochemical properties of water in selected states of Southeast Nigeria. To achieve the main aim of the study, three waste disposal sites were selected from three cities based on their proximity to streams. Wet and dry seasonal effects were also noted. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design, with four replications for 3 years, and data collected was analyzed statistically. The result indicated that biological oxygen demand (BOD) values of 29.31 ± 1.60 mg/L, 23.87 ± 2.32 mg/L, and 32.73 ± 1.30 mg/L at Abakaliki, Enugu, and Awka in the wet period decreased by 2%, 17%, and 10% respectively, relative to the dry season values, and were significantly ( p < 0.05) higher relative to the respective controls. The result also proved that values of chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrate (NO 3 − ), and turbidity in water presented similar results. However, more findings from this study showed an evidence of more pollution loads from the waste disposal sites in the wet period relative to the dry season due possibly to increased leachate and run-off coming out of the sites to the surface water bodies. Based on the findings, the study strongly recommends proper awareness to avoid contamination/pollution of surface water bodies within the vicinity of the waste dump sites among the immediate settlement that make use of the environment in order to safe-guard their lives.