SOLID WASTE GENERATION AND DISPOSAL IN OKPA GO-OSOTA RIVER IN DOMA, NASARWA STATE

^1*J. B. Ari., ² B. A. Dogo, ³A. Abubakar , ⁴a. M. Addra

ABSTRACT

The rapid increase in urban population is a precursor to an increase in waste generation rates and consequently, indiscriminate solid waste disposal contributing to environmental challenges such as water, soil, and air pollution, blocked water drains, resulting in flooding and water stagnation in drainage paths. The multi – stage research survey was employed for this study. First, water samples were collected (before dumpsites upstream and downstream after the dumpsites) for determination of water quality. One hundred and three (103) questionnaires were administered to the residents in the study area, out of which only seventy (70) were retrieved, which constituted (80%) response rate. The administration of the questionnaires was to illicit respondent’s perception on this indiscriminate dumping of waste on these rivers. The results showed that the PH measured upstream (Point A) 6.3 slightly acidic but more acidic downstream (point B) 5.2 compared with the NWQI permissible limit of 6.5 – 8.5. The results also shows that Hardness is generally higher than the maximum permissible limit (150mg/l). Further to this, the results of Nitrates, BOD, and COD is very low because of the presence of abundant micro – organisms existing in this contaminated waters. The Tukey Pos – Hoc analysis for ‘within’ samples measurements for each point (A and B) average values showed no significance (A = .998, B = .999). However significant difference occurred in average values comparing samples in A1 – A4 and B1 – B4. The study concludes that municipal solid waste generation and control is a serious issue in Doma (Okpa Go-Osota) river;   due to its environmental and human health consequence. The solid waste generation and indiscriminate waste disposal on water body in the study area fall below acceptable practice. The study therefore, recommends that government should make quick efforts to improve present waste disposal and management system of the study area by providing necessary facilities for house to house and street to street waste collections.

Keywords: River, Disposal, Environment, Chemical Elements, Waste Generation Toxic.