BREWERY FACILITY

This project examined the environmental and health hazards from the disposal of liquid waste generated by industries, particularly those involved in beverage production in Nigeria. Increased urbanization and rapid industrialization have occasioned increased volumes of effluent being discharged, usually without proper treatment, into River Niger and other water bodies. This results in various forms of pollution, contaminating the organic and inorganic content, ultimately causing about 25% of all preventable diseases, including waterborne diseases. This research work aimed to study and upgrade the liquid waste disposal methods at the International Breweries Limited Onitsha, Anambra State. Specific objectives included establishing the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the effluent and also appraising the sustainability and efficiency of the existing effluent treatment and disposal processes with respect to compliance with WHO standards.The methodology used in this research involves a case study approach at the brewery plant. Effluent samples were collected from pre-treatment and post-treatment points during the month of August, at morning periods to capture peak production waste. Each sample size was 2 liters, preserved at 4°C, and conveyed to the laboratory within 4 hours. Physical parameters such as pH, temperature, turbidity, total suspended solids, and color were analyzed using calibrated instruments like pH meters and spectrophotometers. Chemical parameters for biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, heavy metals, and nutrients were analyzed by digestion followed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Biological parameters-total heterotrophic bacteria, coliform counts, and E. coli-were determined by membrane filtration and incubation on selective media. Data analysis involved the use of descriptive statistics and comparison with WHO benchmarks. These results portrayed partial efficacy of the treatment. Physical parameters were improved, with turbidity falling from 1.0 NTU to 0.5 NTU; however, pH and total dissolved solids were still above WHO limits at 5.0 and 2829 mg/L, respectively. The chemical parameters were reduced-for instance, COD was reduced from 80.1 mg/L to 56.3 mg/L-but remained high, as were heavy metals (e.g., lead, 0.74 mg/L> 0.01 mg/L) and nutrients (ammonia, 8.74 mg/L> 0.5 mg/L); thus, offering a high risk for eutrophication and toxicity. Biological parameters were fully met, as coliform and E. coli counts were nil after treatment. -The study concluded that the brewery's treatment system was inefficient to achieve full compliance, with the need to invest in effective treatment technologies such as reverse osmosis and nutrient removal. Individuals should advocate for clean water practices, corporate organizations should invest in advanced treatment technologies, and government agencies should establish stricter monitoring and incentives for sustainable waste management.