Assessment of Physiochemical Parameters of Waste Water in Tertiary Hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Baadom, Victoria Agezichi; Hanson, Asikiya  Huldah; Horsfall, Seleipiri  Jemina

doi:10.51699/cajmns.v7i2.3220

Authors

Baadom, Victoria Agezichi South Zonal Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology/Parasitology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria
Hanson, Asikiya Huldah Department of Microbiology, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Horsfall, Seleipiri Jemina Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51699/cajmns.v7i2.3220

Keywords:

Hospital Wastewater, Physicochemical Parameters, Tertiary Hospitals, Water Quality, Port Harcourt

Abstract

This study evaluates the physicochemical characteristics of wastewater generated from a tertiary hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Wastewater samples were collected from six hospital wards: kitchen, laundry, theatre, paediatric ward, surgery ward, and laboratory. Standard analytical methods were employed to determine temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and turbidity. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance to assess variations among sampling locations. Temperature values were relatively uniform across all wards, ranging from 29.03 ± 0.31 °C to 29.60 ± 0.54 °C, with no significant difference observed (p > 0.05). In contrast, pH values varied widely, with acidic conditions recorded in kitchen wastewater (4.48 ± 0.09) and strongly alkaline conditions observed in theatre and paediatric effluents (10.18 ± 0.61 and 10.38 ± 0.38, respectively). Dissolved oxygen concentrations were low in kitchen, laundry, and laboratory wastewater (1.16–1.62 mg/L), indicating high organic load, while higher DO levels were recorded in theatre and paediatric wards (6.69–7.34 mg/L). Electrical conductivity ranged from 301.3 ± 29.26 µS/cm in laundry wastewater to 4858 ± 96.65 µS/cm in paediatric effluent, reflecting elevated ionic content. Similarly, TDS values varied considerably, from 59.00 ± 6.63 mg/L in kitchen wastewater to 3191 ± 160.4 mg/L in theatre wastewater. Turbidity levels were extremely high in kitchen and laundry wastewater (122.2–125.8 NTU) but low in theatre, paediatric, and surgery effluents (<3 NTU). Significant differences (p < 0.0001) were observed across wards for all parameters except temperature. The findings demonstrate that wastewater generated from tertiary hospitals contains variable and elevated physicochemical pollutant loads that may pose environmental risks if discharged without adequate treatment.

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