1.1 Introduction
Water is a fundamental natural resource that sustains life, supports ecosystems, and serves as a critical input for industrial, agricultural, and domestic purposes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2021), water is considered clean and safe when it is free from pollutants that may pose risks to human health or the environment. However, as industrialization and urbanization expand, water resources are increasingly threatened by pollution, particularly from industrial wastewater discharges. Industrial wastewater refers to liquid waste generated from industrial processes, which often contains a mixture of organic and inorganic substances, chemicals, heavy metals, and other contaminants (Adelegan, 2020).
In Nigeria, industrialization plays a vital role in economic growth and employment generation, yet it is also a major contributor to environmental degradation. Industries such as textiles, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and breweries use large volumes of water and produce substantial amounts of wastewater during their operations. When improperly managed, these effluents are discharged into nearby rivers, streams, and groundwater sources, thereby altering the physical, chemical, and biological properties of water bodies (Eze & Okonkwo, 2021).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background to the Study
In Nigeria, industrial wastewater pollution has become a significant environmental issue since the mid-20th century, coinciding with rapid industrialization and urbanization. The growth of industries such as breweries, textiles, and food processing increased water consumption and generated large volumes of effluents containing organic compounds, chemicals, and heavy metals (Eze & Okonkwo, 2021). The Nigerian government, through the Federal Environmental Protection Agency established in 1988, began to recognize the importance of regulating industrial effluent discharge to protect water resources. However, enforcement of environmental regulations remained weak, and many industries continued to release untreated or partially treated wastewater into rivers, streams, and other water bodies (Nwankwo et al., 2019).
The brewing industry, specifically, has a long history in Nigeria, with Nigerian Breweries Plc established in 1946 as the first brewery in the country. As one of the largest beverage manufacturers, the company has historically been a major consumer of water and producer of wastewater. Reports indicate that brewery effluents are rich in organic materials, including spent grains, yeast residues, and cleaning chemicals, which contribute significantly to the pollution of nearby water bodies if not properly treated (Ogunfowokan et al., 2020). Over the years, Nigerian Breweries Plc has adopted some wastewater treatment practices, but challenges remain in fully mitigating the environmental impacts of its operations, particularly in regions with limited monitoring and enforcement of environmental standards.
The brewing industry, in particular, is recognized as a major generator of industrial wastewater due to its high water consumption in washing, cooling, and production activities. Nigerian Breweries Plc, as one of the largest beverage producers in the country, utilizes significant quantities of water in its operations and produces wastewater with high organic and chemical loads (Ogunfowokan et al., 2020). If these effluents are not adequately treated before discharge, they lead to eutrophication, oxygen depletion, and contamination of water resources that local communities depend on for domestic and agricultural use. Consequently, the ecological balance of nearby rivers and streams is disrupted, leading to declining fish populations and the spread of waterborne diseases among residents.
The degradation of water bodies due to industrial wastewater has become a pressing environmental concern in Nigeria. On the one hand, industries are essential for economic development; on the other hand, their waste management practices often conflict with environmental sustainability goals. Weak enforcement of environmental regulations, lack of modern wastewater treatment facilities, and limited public awareness have further worsened the problem (Okafor & Ojo, 2022). The increasing pollution of water resources poses a serious threat to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6, which emphasizes clean water and sanitation for all.
According to Adelegan (2020), industrial wastewater is one of the primary sources of water pollution in developing countries, containing a mix of organic matter, chemicals, and heavy metals that adversely affect the physical, chemical, and biological properties of water bodies. Industrial wastewater is generated from diverse manufacturing processes, including breweries, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and food processing, and it requires proper treatment before being discharged into the environment to prevent ecological degradation (Adelegan, 2020).
Nigerian industries have expanded rapidly in recent decades, leading to increased water consumption and production of wastewater. Eze and Okonkwo (2021) reported that untreated industrial effluents are frequently discharged into rivers and streams, resulting in elevated levels of pollutants such as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids, and toxic metals. These pollutants reduce dissolved oxygen in water bodies, promote the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms, and disrupt aquatic ecosystems. Similarly, Nwankwo et al. (2019) asserted that many industries in Nigeria fail to comply with effluent discharge standards due to inadequate infrastructure, insufficient regulatory enforcement, and limited awareness of environmental protection practices.
The brewing industry, exemplified by Nigerian Breweries Plc, utilizes substantial quantities of water in production, cleaning, and cooling processes. Ogunfowokan et al. (2020) stated that brewery effluents are highly organic and chemically rich, and when inadequately treated, they contribute significantly to water pollution. The discharge of such wastewater has implications not only for environmental health but also for socio-economic activities, as contaminated water sources affect agriculture, fisheries, and domestic water supply. On the other hand, Okafor and Ojo (2022) affirmed that the weak implementation of environmental regulations exacerbates the pollution problem, making industrial wastewater management a persistent challenge in Nigeria. This study is set against the backdrop of these environmental and socio-economic challenges, aiming to investigate the impact of industrial wastewater on the quality of water bodies in Nigeria, with a focus on Nigerian Breweries Plc.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
Investigation revealed that many developing countries, including Nigeria, the increasing pace of industrialization is exerting significant pressure on water quality and availability. Industrial establishments, particularly breweries, are major contributors to wastewater discharge due to the large volumes of water required for production, cooling, and cleaning processes. The release of untreated or partially treated industrial wastewater into the environment is posing a serious threat to the health of aquatic ecosystems and to the communities that depend on these water bodies for domestic and agricultural purposes (Adelegan, 2020).
On the other hand, industries like Nigerian Breweries Plc are expected to adhere to environmental protection standards and effluent treatment regulations. However, weak enforcement of environmental laws, poor waste management infrastructure, and lack of regular monitoring by regulatory agencies often result in non-compliance with wastewater management standards (Nwankwo et al., 2019). Communities living near industrial zones are increasingly exposed to polluted water sources, leading to waterborne diseases, reduced agricultural productivity, and loss of aquatic biodiversity.
Furthermore, the brewing industry is known to generate wastewater that is highly loaded with organic matter, suspended solids, and chemical residues such as detergents, lubricants, and spent grains. When such effluents are discharged into nearby rivers and streams without proper treatment, they cause depletion of dissolved oxygen, proliferation of harmful microorganisms, and contamination of the aquatic environment (Eze & Okonkwo, 2021). It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to assess the impact of industrial wastewater on the quality of water bodies in Nigeria, using Nigerian Breweries Plc as a case study.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The main aim of this study is to assess how industrial wastewater from Nigerian Breweries Plc affects the quality of surrounding water bodies.
The specific objectives of the study include:
- To identify the major pollutants present in industrial wastewater generated by Nigerian Breweries Plc.
- To assess the impact of these pollutants on the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of nearby water bodies.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of current wastewater treatment and disposal practices employed by the brewery.
- To determine the health and socio-economic implications of water pollution on surrounding communities.
- To recommend sustainable strategies for improving wastewater management and reducing environmental impacts.
1.5 Research Questions
Based on the objectives, the research study seeks to answer the following questions:
- What are the major pollutants present in industrial wastewater from Nigerian Breweries Plc?
- How do these pollutants affect the physical, chemical, and biological properties of nearby water bodies?
- How effective are the current wastewater treatment and disposal practices at Nigerian Breweries Plc?
- What are the health and socio-economic effects of water pollution on local communities?
- What strategies can be implemented to improve wastewater management and reduce environmental impact?
1.6 Significance of the Study
It is believed that at the completion of the study, the research will enhance environmental awareness among stakeholders and guide the formulation of effective wastewater management policies. The study will also support the brewery in implementing environmentally sustainable practices, and reduce public health risks on industrial pollution in Nigeria.
Furthermore, the research will enrich the body of knowledge on environmental pollution and industrial wastewater management in Nigeria, offering a foundation for further studies in related fields.
Lastly, the information generated will serve as a critical reference for policymakers, environmental regulators, and industry stakeholders, helping them to design and implement more effective wastewater management and pollution control strategies.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The study focuses on the impact of industrial wastewater on water bodies in Lagos State, Nigeria, specifically examining the operations of Nigerian Breweries Plc. It covers the types of wastewater generated, its effects on rivers and streams in surrounding communities, and the effectiveness of current treatment practices employed by the brewery. The study period covers recent wastewater management practices and current water quality conditions.
1.8 Limitation of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.9 Definition of Terms
Industrial Wastewater:
According to Adelegan (2020), industrial wastewater is the liquid effluent generated from industrial processes that contains organic and inorganic substances, chemicals, and other pollutants capable of degrading water quality.
Water Quality:
Eze and Okonkwo (2021) stated that water quality refers to the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water, determining its suitability for human, agricultural, and industrial use.
Brewery Effluent:
Ogunfowokan et al. (2020) reported that brewery effluent is the wastewater discharged from brewing operations, often containing high levels of organic matter, cleaning chemicals, and spent grains.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD):
Nwankwo et al. (2019) asserted that BOD measures the amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in water and is an indicator of pollution level.
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