ASSESSMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER DISPOSAL IN THE EAST REGION OF CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Worldwide, many manufacturing industries depend on water for many uses such as manufacturing processes, power generation, agriculture, mining, and oil and gas production. According to Gingerich (2018) this is because water is a vital resource for industrial activities, and its accessibility, quality, and dependability can greatly affect corporate operations and profitability therefore efficient management of water resources is crucial for enterprises to guarantee the sustainability and durability of their operations. However, according to Colella (2021) oone of the primary difficulties in overseeing water utility in companies is the proper disposal of wastewater. Industrial effluents being released into water bodies result in pollution, which can have significant environmental and health ramifications (Tong 2022). Moreover, industries are implementing many wastewater treatment technologies, encompassing physical, chemical, and biological treatment approaches, as a means to tackle this problem 

Specifically, Xu (2020) has emphasized that water utility in industries is vital for promoting sustainable industrial development, and effective management is necessary to minimize the environmental consequences of industrial activities. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to employ water-efficient technology and effective techniques for treating wastewater. There are multiple industries that rely substantially on water to carry out their separate operations. The textile business necessitates a significant amount of water for the purposes of dyeing, printing, and finishing. According to Singh et al. (2019), the manufacture of a single cotton T-shirt can require more than 2500 litres of water due to these processes.. Similarly, chemical processes, such as petrochemical refining and pharmaceutical production, require substantial water for cooling, solvent extraction and chemical reactions. Various mining processes, such as ore extraction and mineral processing, necessitate water for dust suppression, material separation and processing. Norgate and Haque (2020) mentioned that activities like coal extraction and preparation activities use substantial water for washing and separating impurities from coal. More son, Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the oil and gas industry requires large volumes of water mixed with chemicals to extract hydrocarbons from underground formations. These industrial wastes can carry various types of contaminants to the river, lake and groundwater. Thus, assessing the status of industrial liquid waste and evaluating their waste management practices is critical for monitoring of the waste producers. 

Consequently, the presence of contaminants from industrial contaminant within the water may reduce the yield of crops and the growth of plant and it will harmful to the aquatic living organism too. The contamination of metals is a major environmental problem and especially in the aquatic environment. Mekuria (2021) argued that industrial wastewater is a significant environmental threat because of its substantial concentration of pollutants and the possible consequences it can have on water quality and public health. The issue of industrial wastewater is increasing steadily for several reasons, as reported by the United Nations Environment Programme in 2017. As industries grow and new ones develop, the volume of wastewater produced rises, resulting in increased contamination of water resources. Several businesses now lack the necessary infrastructure and technology to effectively treat their wastewater, leading to the release of untreated or insufficiently treated wastewater into bodies of water (Trianni et al., 2021). There are locations where laws are incomplete or not effectively enforced, resulting in industries not following the rules (Vrzala et al., 2022). Insufficient monitoring of industrial wastewater in certain instances results in a restricted comprehension of the problem's magnitude and ineffective measures taken to resolve it (Rana et al., 2022; Zakaria and Michael, 2019). Therefore, a survey will be conducted in order to assess the environmental impact of industrial wastewater disposal in the East region of Cameroon.

Statement of the Problem

Lately at the zenith of industrialization, industries of all sphere are becoming increasingly conscious of the significance of wastewater management and the necessity to implement sustainable practices (Frkova  2020). Various sectors are acknowledging the potential advantages of efficient wastewater management, such as decreased environmental effects, greater public health, and improved economic sustainability (Harahap, 2021). Nevertheless, there remain noteworthy obstacles that must be confronted to guarantee that enterprises possess a comprehensive understanding of the significance of wastewater management and are using efficient strategies to handle their wastewater. Vystavna (2018) highlighted that these issues encompass inadequate regulatory enforcement in certain places, insufficient resources for wastewater management, and a lack of comprehension of the potential consequences of inadequate wastewater management methods 

On the other hand, Lasode (2021) pointed that there are other factors that can contribute to the failure or ineffectiveness of current wastewater management methods in reaching desired results. Numerous wastewater treatment plants employ obsolete or inadequate treatment methods that are incapable of efficiently eliminating pollutants and toxins from the wastewater. 

Consequently, when wastewater is not treated or only partially treated, it is discharged into the environment, causing environmental deterioration and posing health hazards.  Nunes, (2021) mentioned that failure to adequately maintain and operate wastewater treatment technology can undermine their effectiveness, regardless of their initial efficacy. Insufficient maintenance can cause equipment failures, pipeline blockages, and other problems that can decrease treatment effectiveness and raise operational expenses. This is because numerous wastewater treatment facilities, particularly in developing nations, face a shortage of financial resources to allocate towards contemporary and efficient treatment technologies and infrastructure. 

For Rodrigues de Assis (2020), a region like that of east region in Cameroon This hampers their capacity to efficiently treat wastewater and mitigate pollution. Insufficient public understanding and involvement can be a contributing factor to the failure of wastewater management systems in some situations. Thus, implementing and maintaining good wastewater management methods might be difficult without the backing and involvement of the general public. Hence, it is in the light of these that the study seeks to assess the environmental impact of industrial wastewater disposal in the East region of Cameroon.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to assess the environmental impact of industrial wastewater disposal in the East region of Cameroon. Specifically, the study will;

Assess the extent industrial wastewater disposal affects the soil composition and fertility in the East region of Cameroon.

Evaluate the impact of industrial wastewater on the quality of surface and groundwater resources in the East region.

Investigate the influence of industrial wastewater discharge on local aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity in the East region.

Assess the potential health risks associated with industrial wastewater contamination in communities near disposal sites in the East region.

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

To what extent does industrial wastewater disposal affect soil composition and fertility in the East region of Cameroon?

What is the impact of industrial wastewater on the quality of surface and groundwater resources in the East region?

How does industrial wastewater discharge influence local aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity in the East region?

What are the potential health risks associated with industrial wastewater contamination in communities near disposal sites in the East region?

1.5  Research Hypotheses

H0: Industrial wastewater disposal has no significant environmental impact in the East region of Cameroon.

Ha: Industrial wastewater disposal has a significant environmental impact in the East region of Cameroon.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The communities living in proximity to industrial areas will find the study significant as it will shed light on the environmental and health risks they may be facing due to industrial wastewater. The findings will also lead to better protection and advocacy for these communities.Moreover, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard to the environmental impact of industrial wastewater disposal in the East region of Cameroon.

1.7 Scope of the study

The scope of this study is boarded on the environmental impact of industrial wastewater disposal in the East region of Cameroon.  Empirically, the study will examine the role of income levels in shaping sewage disposal practices, investigate the impact of educational background on household sewage disposal methods, assess the influence of housing conditions on sewage management practices and assess whether there is a relationship between occupational status and the adoption of proper sewage disposal techniques in Douala.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to residents of  Douala, Cameroon.

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents.In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Wastewater:Water that has been used and contaminated by residential, industrial, agricultural, or commercial activities, containing various pollutants such as chemicals, pathogens, organic matter, and suspended solids.

Industrial Wastewater: Water that has been used in industrial processes and contains pollutants, including chemicals, heavy metals, organic matter, and other contaminants.

Wastewater Disposal:The process of discharging treated or untreated wastewater into the environment, such as into rivers, lakes, or the ground.

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