WATER POLLUTION IN NIGERIA

(CAUSES AND EFFECTS)

CAUSES OF WATER POLLUTION IN NIGERIA

1) Domestic based water pollution: It is sub-divided into two part

a) Home based water pollution: This involves dumping of sewages into storm drains and
lagoon. This lagoon and sea serve as the source for most of the fish that the city
consumes. For example, In Lagos state, where there is no central sewage system, all waste
is poured into the lagoon. Important pollutant frequently found in leachates from refuse
dump includes BOD, iron, manganese, chloride and nitrate (Krist, 2000). High
concentrate of these pollutants in the water can be harmful to aquatic organisms and
humans.
b) Local Market Induced Water Pollution: This is majorly caused by Abattoirs. They perform
anti sanitation function by pouring blood, faeces and related wastes from animal slaughter
into the gutters which are mostly connected to rivers, lakes, hand dug wells and reservoirs
used by people as sources of household water. For example: Oko-oba abattoir, Lagos
state.
2) Oil Spill Based Water Pollution: Oil spillage occurs as a result of leakage of hydrocarbon
from the pipes. Poor maintenance of oil pipelines and poor monitoring of pressure
regimes of fluids are the main causes of spillage. This has led to several deaths and
destruction of properties especially in Niger-Delta areas like Delta State, Port-Harcourt,
and Bayelsa. Production of oil and gas is usually accompanied by substantial discharge of
wastewater in the form of brines (that is, sodium, calcium, boron etc.). Activities (gas
flaring) of various oil companies like the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company
(NLG) in Bonny, Port Harcourt, has made rain water is no longer fit for human
consumption due to the contamination of rain(acid rain) and ground water.
3) Agricultural Pollution: Agriculture was a major source of income of Nigeria before oil
was discovered in 1950s but still is the major source income to majority of populace in
the Northern part of the country who mostly rely on rivers, streams and boreholes water
as their source of drinking water. A wide range of contaminants like, artificial fertilizer
residues, insecticides, herbicides, pesticides and animal waste can reach these rivers, lakes
and streams either by groundwater or through drainage all of which are potentially very
harmful to aquatic organisms most especially the Fishes and Man.

EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION

1) The major effects of water pollution in Nigerian communities are socio-economic, health
and environmental problems.

2) Polluted water containing sediments and parasites is very expensive to be treated to the
desired standard for any household or even industrial application. This has led to the high
mortality rate of children and new born babies in the country.
 3) Water related diseases such as cholera, guinea worm, malaria and typhoid fever are the
most common causes of illness and death, affecting mainly poor inhabitants in the local
communities.

4) Heavy metals poisoning as a result of absorption in contaminated water or through

associated food has posed serious health and environmental problem in Nigeria.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

It is clearly seen that water pollution is an ongoing problem in most of the Nigerian communities,
especially villages that are ignored by the government. This tragedy is seriously crippling human
development, therefore, proper identification of preventive and control measures are very
important.

The main way forward is

To properly educate the local people on the important of water sanitation and good waste
disposal methods.

Establishment of water treatment plants.

Good regulatory strategies.

Oil pollution problems could be successfully addressed by ensuring that corruption-free

safety and operability procedures are implemented by all oil stakeholders.

Tax and fines should be imposed on industries and people that pollute the environment.