Patterns of Generation and Composition of Wastewater in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.

Abstract: The study assessed the patterns of generation and composition of wastewater in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This study is a response to Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 11, which addresses the provision of clean water, safe sanitation and the development of sustainable communities and cities. The study aims to determine the patterns of wastewater generation and composition in AMAC. The research methodology includes qualitative, quantitative and experimental examination. Thirty-six (36) samples of influents/effluents were collected and subjected to laboratory analysis to determine the compositions of the various parameters for both seasons (wet and dry) and the quality of treatment at the Wupa treatment plant in AMAC. The analysis returned r values of 0.995 and 0.882 for dry and wet seasons, respectively. These r values show significant variations between the influent and effluent samples. Specifically, there were substantial variations in the concentration of wastewater parameters such as turbidity, total suspended solids, oil and grease, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, ammonia, nitrate, biological oxygen demand and total coliform. In contrast, the variations in the concentration of other parameters remain largely insignificant. The assessment further indicated that wastewater treatment for both seasons at the plant conformed to the World Health Organization standards for effluent discharge. The study established the poor state of wastewater facilities and the need to develop a more sustainable framework for providing and maintaining wastewater facilities in AMAC. The study, therefore, recommended the adoption of a closed-system efficiency model for the management of wastewater in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.