Performance Evaluation of a Water Hyacinth Based Institutional Wastewater Treatment Plant to Mitigate Aquatic Macrophyte Growths at Ibadan, Nigeria
Chibueze G. Achi, Mynepalli K. C. Sridhar, Akinwale O. Coker

Abstract
Phytoremediation technology is an age-long concept, which utilizes aquatic or terrestrial macrophytes in the treatment of wastewaters. This study assessed the performance of a water hyacinth based wastewater treatment plant at University of Ibadan, Nigeria. This treatment plant was built with a view of treating institutional wastewater which was otherwise polluting the Awba lake, a source of drinking water on the campus. Wastewater samples were collected at the influent point (IP) and effluent point (EP) of the treatment plant. The samples were analyzed for physicochemical parameters, viz. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). Standard methods specified by the American Public Health Association (APHA) were followed. The results showed a reduction of 51.9% in COD, 43.3% in BOD, and 85.95% TSS and they did not meet the required effluent standards. Other parameters (pH, temperature and odour) were, however within the permissible limits set by National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). Factors that contributed to the poor effluent quality were found to be as a result of poor maintenance, inadequate training, poor funding and poor attitude of the plant operators. Based on these findings certain remedial measures were suggested to save the Awba lake from eutrophication.

Full Text: PDF