TREATABILITY OF INSTITUTIONAL WASTEWATER USING WASTE STABILIZATION POND SYSTEM

Waste stabilization pond (WSP) is a familiar wastewater treatment method in many parts of the world due to its operative potential of removing pathogenic organisms from wastewater and low energy consumption. Its effectiveness for treating wastewater at the main campus of the University of Ilorin, North central Nigeria was investigated. The University has a population of about 31,000 and the daily wastewater volume was found to be 3.97*106L. It was observed that 6.6 Ha of land would be required to treat an average influent of 5355 m3day-1. Grab samples were obtained from wastewater influents and effluents from a laboratory model of the designed WSP and tested to determine quality parameters. The test results showed that the WSP was able to reduce Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Total Solids, Ammonia, oil and grease, turbidity and colour by 91.3 %, 50.5 %, 92 %, 99.9 %, 65.1 % and 70 % respectively. The final effluent after the treatment process could be used for unrestricted irrigation and other non drinking purposes.