IMPACT OF BIOLOGICALWASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AND PAHARRANG DRAIN ON GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION AND ITS HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT

Abstract

In developing nations like Pakistan, the dumping of untreated industrial effluents into drains is a major source of subsurface pollution. This research was carried out at the area of Chokera, Faisalabad and focused on the Paharrang drain to examine its impact on groundwater quality since companies in the area discharge untreated sewage into the drain at various points along its length. It was primarily concerned with determining the impact of the outflow on groundwater quality and observing discharge rate fluctuations. The goal of this study was to assess the toxicity of the drain’s effluent and treatment plant on groundwater quality. Physio-chemical parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, TSS, DO, Carbonates, Bicarbonates, Cl, Arsenic, Lead, Chromium, Copper, Cadmium, and Zinc were measured in the collected samples. The findings of these samples were compared to WHO recommendations. The values of these data were represented using ArcView GIS v10.2 and a mapping of quality parameters. None of the values in the wastewater samples were determined to be within the WHO acceptable limit. Similarly, groundwater investigation revealed that all samples were unsuitable for human consumption. Drinking groundwater directly might be hazardous to one’s health.