Studies on the Effect of Effluent Discharge into Two Different Rivers Located In Abia and Imo State, Nigeria

The effects of effluent discharge into two different stream (Nkuho and Nworie stream) in Abia and Imo State were evaluated by collecting sample in different designated stations of the rivers.Physicochemical analysis revielled the level of temperature, pH, turbidity dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, mercury, lead, and copper of the river water.Samples were taken from coca-cola, Saclux paint, upstream, downstream, point of effluent discharge respectively.The results reveled significant different (P < 0.05) in the different locations in temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, lead, and zinc with values tabulated as follows; 26.00 0 C to 32, 6.20 to 9.20,0.21 to 1.40NTU, 2.29 to 5.85mg/L, 5.24 to 10.5mg/L, 38.25 to 64.26mg/L, 0.12 to 0.25mg/L and 0.42 to 0.75mg/L respectively.There were no observed significant difference (P< 0.05) in mercury and cupper.Some of the quality parameters evaluated had values higher than the tolerant levels established by WHO and FEPA and this calls for caution.There is need therefore, to bring to an end to the indiscriminate discharge of untreated effluent into the rivers through the law enforcement agencies (FEPA guidelines).