Industrial waste management in Zambia:Case study of a Lusaka slaughterhouse
Date
2011-07-14
Authors
Mangule, Mambwe Ronald
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
In Zambia, like in many other countries, industrialisation has brought with it the problem of environmental pollution associated with industrial waste waters. The discharge of industrial waste water into public sewers may deteriorate sewer structures, increase maintenance costs, add problems in sewage treatment and contribute to stream pollution.Direct discharge into streams may harm aquatic life and deem the water unfit for its intended use. It is therefore necessary to reduce the volumes and strengths of wastes by a combination of measures. Realising that some work has already been done with regard to
the legal, policy and administrative frameworks, this study sought to clarify the situation with regard to industrial wastewater management. The study covered three main areas,each of which had its own objectives. These were:
a) Industrial waste water management in Zambia
(i)To analyse the effectiveness, relevance and currency of the relevant legal, policy and administrative frameworks with regard to industrial waste water management in Zambia
(ii)To assess the perspectives and awareness of local industry regarding the relevant
legislative and other frameworks and the resulting responses
b) Case study of a Lusaka slaughterhouse
(i) To evaluate the installed industrial technology
(ii)To establish water use patterns and conservation measures
(iii) To assess awareness of effluent regulations and compliance requirements
(iv) To evaluate the status of pretreatment technology
(v)To establish the availability of analytical facilities for water quality testing
c) Pilot plant investigations on treatability of slaughterhouse wastewater by trickling filtration
(i)To assess treatability of slaughterhouse wastewater by trickling filters
(ii)To assess the potential for reducing pollution loads so as to meet discharge standards
(iii)To provide a basis for the design of a full scale trickling filter treatment plant
Assessment of industrial wastewater management was carried out by way of an extensive literature review of the relevant legislation and local publications. This was backed by interviews and discussions with personnel from industry, relevant government departments and local authorities. The awareness and perspectives of local industries to environmental
legislation and related issues was further ascertained by conducting industrial site surveys coupled with questionnaires. The situation was further clarified by a case study of a slaughterhouse in Lusaka involving water and wastewater management. The industrial technology, water supply and consumption situation, wastewater production and treatment and attitude towards environmental protection were established by working in close cooperation
with personnel in various sections of the plant. Pilot plant investigations were
carried out on a rock media fixed distributor trickling filter on the treatability of slaughterhouse wastewater. Treatability studies were based on COD removal efficiency of composite samples.
It has been found that there are a lot of duplications and overlaps in responsibilities among various government departments characterised by lack of implementation and enforcement.
Of all the relevant Acts, only the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control Act was being implemented though with some drawbacks. Dissemination of the necessary information to the target group had not been effective which prompted industries to advocate for regular seminars and workshops on the relevant legislation and aspects of
pollution control. The case study further revealed the non-enforcement of regulations and lack of environmental awareness from industry. Pilot plant treatability studies gave results that showed average COD removal efficiencies of 37.8 and 23.9 percent at hydraulic loading rates of 0.34 m3/m2h and 0.49 mVm2h, respectively.
Generally, the legal and institutional frameworks need to be reformulated to eliminate duplications and overlaps of authority. It is important that only one body is charged with
the responsibility of pollution prevention and control. There is also need to strengthen the enforcement procedures and to launch an awareness drive to enlighten industries and local
authorities on the relevant legislation and aspects of pollution control. It has been
recommended that emphasis should shift from an approach based on discharge licences and
permits to one which promotes a preventive approach. The case study established the need
to address the aspect of enforcement and environmental awareness. For the pilot plant
investigation, the effluent COD values were mostly higher than the stipulated value (1800
mg/1) for discharge into public sewers. This has been attributed to high fluctuations in
influent COD that gave rise to inconsistent treatment performance. It has been
recommended that the research be continued incorporating proper primary treatment
(screening, equalization and settling) and an effective final clarification step
Description
Keywords
Waste management , Industrial waste disposal , Solid waste management