NAME : NICHOLAS MOHAMMED

ID NO. : 813000768
DEMONSTRATOR : SELMA
DATE : 5/03/14






















TITLE Impacts of Effluent outfall on a receiving environment
AIM To conduct a test near a WASA sewage treatment facility and assess compliance with local
discharge limits; using the parameters pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Temperature, Conductivity, Alkalinity,
Total Nitrates, Reactive Phosphates and Total Suspended solids.
INTRODUCTION
The Water and Sewage Authority (WASA) of Trinidad and Tobago is the company that is
responsible for most of the water purification and distribution processes in the country. The treatment
plant at UWI St. Augustine was established to cater for the waste produced by approximately 8000
persons, back in the 1990s. It cleanses water from the three halls of residence (Milner, Canada, Trinity),
SAC cafeteria, and the laboratories at the faculties of Engineering as well as Science and Technology

(Maureen Daas). They have however adopted a systematic process when it comes to sewage treatment.
First, water to be purified is taken into the plant with the aid of pumps or metal grills, in order to block
initial macro contaminants, such as foliage and debris. Then, headworks are undergone. Aluminum
Sulphate (a coagulant), a flocculent (to remove colloids from any suspension and chlorine (a disinfectant)
are added to the water and mixed. The Aluminum Sulphate reacts with the waters alkalinity to form a
precipitate of Al(OH)3. The flocculent aids in coagulation of the colloids in the water to speed up
reactions, and the chlorine kill certain microorganisms, and prevent algae growth. Sedimentation is then
undergone which removes the solids settled at the base of the water. Water flow is reduced so particulate
matter has more time to settle. The sediments are channeled to sludge chambers to ensure further
cleansing. The water is then filtered, sometimes twice to remove excess suspended material, and finally,
Chlorine is added to destroy micro-organisms in the water. If the water is too acidic, Calcium Carbonate
is added to balance the pH to an optimal range of 7, which is fit for consumption (WASA 2008).
In terms of the conducted experiment, the destination was a receiving stream near the treatment
plant. The stream can be considered in retrospect as a receiving ecosystem. That is, water from the
point source being the treatment plant, is entering the stream. If this water is not properly purified, a
number of detrimental effects can occur, such as chemical contamination leading to eutrophication, or
introduction of microorganism, leading to an increase in biological oxygen demand in an ecosystem, or
even the introduction of harmful bacteria into the stream, hence, regulation of effluents is
important(Ministry of Housing and Environment 2001).
APPARATUS & MATERIALS filter paper, vacuum pump, digital mass balance, Oaketen multi-
parameter reader, EX-TECH reader, probe/pen, HACH water testing kit, light spectrometer
METHOD
A series of tests were conducted on the receiving ecosystem, which in this case was a stream. There were
five stations along the stream. (See appendix diagram 1.)
At station one, the water was clear and flowed fast. However, there were kitchen effluents from PVC
pipes running into the stream. There was also some Styrofoam containers and plastics in the stream.
At station two, the water was also clear, and had a medium rate flow. This was the site which experienced
the direct runoff from the water treatment plant. Plant growth was observed along the bed of the stream.
At station three, the water was still clear, and had a fast flow, possibly due to gradient of the stream at
that point. There were settlements on the side of the river, with heaps of garbage on the adjacent bank.
Within the stream, there was some traces of algal bloom, and Styrofoam, plastic and glass objects.
At station four, the water speed was reduced to medium flow, and had a murky appearance. Like the
previous site, there were more settlements along the river with pipelines releasing effluents from the
household into the stream. In the stream, there were some pollutants such as Styrofoam and plastics. The
vegetation in the area was sparse; there was a coconut tree, a banana tree, some dasheen, and a guava tree
near the bank.
At station five, which was the base of the stream, the water coalesced into a pool, the stream speed was
apparently very slow, and the water was nearly stagnant. This site was closest to the highway and had
heavy pollution due to plastics and Styrofoam objects. Algae was seen at the bed of the stream, and there
were man-made levees here as well.
The parameters used to test each site were; pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Temperature, Conductivity, Alkalinity,
Total Nitrates, Reactive Phosphates and Total Suspended solids. They were carried out as follows;
pH The Oaketen readers cap was removed from the sensory end, and held steady, midway in depth in
the stream for a minute to reduce flux. The pH value of the site was then recorded.
Dissolved Oxygen The Oaketen readers cap was removed from the sensory end, and held steady,
midway in depth in the stream for a minute to reduce flux. The dissolved oxygen content of the site was
then recorded.
Temperature The EXTECH readers cap was removed from the sensory end, and held steady, midway
in depth in the stream for about a minute to reduce flux. The temperature was then recorded.
Conductivity The EXTECH readers cap was removed from the sensory end, and held steady, midway
in depth in the stream for about a minute to reduce flux. The conductivity of the site was then recorded.
Alkalinity The water sample was added to a sample cell, and the contents of the Phenolphthalein
Indicator Packet were then added. It was then mixed for one minute. If the water becomes pink, add drops
of Sulfuric Acid solution and mix well until the sample turns colorless. The number of drops was
recorded in this instant. The contents of a Bromcresol Green-Methyl Red Indicator Packet was then added
to the sample, and then mixed until a blue-green coloration was obtained. Drops of Sulfuric Acid solution
was carefully added until the sample turned pink. The number of drops in this instance was also recorded.
Using a data sheet, the alkalinity of the water, using the number of drops, were calculated and recorded.
Total Nitrates 20ml collectively of sample water was poured into two separate 10ml sample cells. The
contents of the Cadmium powder pillow was then added to one sample cell, and the other left as a blank.
The water mixed with Cadmium was then shaken for a minute. It was then left to rest for five minutes and
the color noted. (Amber if nitrates are present). After five minutes, the blank sample cell was wiped clean
and placed into the cell holder of the Spectrophotometer and the zero button, pushed. The prepared
sample was then put in place of the blank and the read button pushed. The reading was subsequently
recorded.
Reactive Phosphates Two 10ml water samples were measured and poured into separate sample cells.
The contents of one pack of PhosVer 3 Phosphate Reagent Powder Pillow were then added to one sample
cell, and shaken for 30 seconds. The other was left pure, as a blank. The timer on the spectrometer was set
for two minutes, and the sample cell left to rest for that time. Subsequently, the blank was cleaned and
placed in the spectrometer holder and the zero button pushed. The sample cell with the reagent powder
was cleaned and inserted into the cell holder and the read button was pushed. The results were then
recorded.

Total Suspended Solids Two filter papers were individually labeled as blank and
sample. They were then both weighed and the initial masses recorded, using a digital balance. 50ml of
distilled water was then kept on standby while the blank filter paper was placed in the vacuum pump.
The distilled water was then added to the pump, and it was left switched on until all the water filtered.
The filter paper was then removed and placed in a petri-dish, and 25 ml of the sample water was then
isolated using a measuring cylinder. The sample filter paper was then placed in the vacuum pump and
the water added, with the pump turned on until all the water filtered. The filter paper was then removed
and placed in a petri-dish. The petri-dish was subsequently placed in an oven over-night to remove the
water. The next day, the new masses of the filter papers were recorded, and the amount of suspended
solid in the water, found.

RESULTS
Table T.1 showing the collective results of all tests at each site
Parameters Site
1 2 3 4 5

Temp /deg C. 27.0 27.0 26.8 27.6 27.8
pH 7.15 7.62 7.15 7.17 7.50
Dissolved Oxygen / mg/L 5.96 2.95 4.99 2.44 2.43
Conductivity /ms 3.58 5.64 3.17 3.58 3.30
Alkalinity 0.97 17.2 5.94 14.1 13.7
Total Nitrates /mg/L 0.50 3.70 3.20 1.90 2.90
Reactive Phosphates /mg/L 0.37 23.4 20.4 27.3 27.4
Total Suspended Solids /mg/L 4.00 46.6 40.4 35.7 29.2
Hardness 117.8 150.7 132.4 139.8 137.2





The following are graphs depicting the parameters visually;

Graph G1. Showing trends among the sites for pH, Dissolved oxygen concentration and Conductivity


Graph G2. Showing trends among the sites for Alkalinity, Nitrates and Phosphates

7.15
7.62
7.15 7.17
7.5
5.96
2.95
4.99
2.44 2.43
3.58
5.64
3.17
3.58
3.3
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5
pH
Dissolved O2 /mg/L
Conductivity /ms
0.97
17.2
5.94
14.1
13.7
0.5
3.7
3.2
1.9
2.9
0.37
23.4
20.4
27.3 27.4
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5
Alkalinity
Total Nitrates /mg/L
Reactive Phosphates /mg/L
Graph G3. Showing trends among the sites for Total Suspended Solids and Hardness


From the above results, we can see that the temperature was generally the same range for all the sites; the
average temperature being 27.24 degrees Celsius. With regards to pH, levels were relatively neutral
(being near to a reading of 7.0) aside from what was measured at site 2 and 5. Site two is the site that
receives direct effluent discharge from the WASA water treatment plant, so this could explain the rise in
pH. Site five is more or less a near stagnant pool where particles may have settled. This could account for
its higher pH. The most oxygen rich water is found at site one and thee. Site two suffers depleted oxygen
reserves, possibly due to the treatment plants direct effluent discharge at that point. Site four and five
have the least however, possibly due to the effluents travelling down-stream and with the rate of flow
slowing and the pollutants agglomerating at one point, this may account for reduced oxygen levels. In
terms of Conductivity, all sites aside from site two have a relatively even reading. Site two may have
increased conductivity due to the addition of ions of Chlorine from the effluent of the water treatment
plant, since the water is dumped directly into the stream. In terms of Alkalinity, site two has the greatest
amount. As it flows down the stream though, levels seem to be reduced. For the nitrate content, sites 2,3
and 5 have the highest concentrations. This is possibly due to the runoff on the land from vegetation in
the surrounding area. The phosphate content of all sites aside from one are also high, most likely due to
the household effluents flowing directly into the stream. The total suspended solid content is also high at
all sites aside from 1, most likely due to erosion of the banks, so the stream becomes rich with sediments.
In terms of water hardness, due to the overall high readings, we can tell that the water is overall hard. This
means that it would not lather easily, and would take a great deal to purify.

4
46.6
40.4
35.7
29.2
117.8
150.7
132.4
139.8
137.2
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5
Total Suspended Solids
/mg/L
Hardness
Table T.2 showing the acceptable levels of each parameter for an ecosystem according to the Water
Pollution Rules (2001, Environmental Management Act 2000)
Parameters Acceptable Level

Temp /deg C. 35
pH 6 - 9
Dissolved Oxygen / mg/L <4
Total Nitrates /mg/L 10
Reactive Phosphates /mg/L 5
Total Suspended Solids /mg/L 50

In comparison with the accepted levels of certain parameters according to the 2001 water pollution rules,
and the results of the experiment, we can see that temperature is well within the acceptable level. pH of
the stream is also deemed acceptable, however the Dissolved Oxygen concentration for sites one and
three seem to be unacceptable. The total amount of Nitrates also seems to fall within the acceptable
concentration. The phosphate levels however, with the exception of site one, seem to be way over what is
acceptable, so this is a problem. The total suspended solids also seem to fall within the range of what is
acceptable, albeit, just barely, for sites two and three. These ranges are outdated however, so the
limitation to this evaluation may be just that.

The following are the Students T-test for the parameters which shows if there were any significant
changes;
pH; (There is low variance)


Sites pH
Mean 3 7.318
Variance 2.5 0.05067
Observations 5 5
Pooled Variance 1.275335
Hypothesized Mean
Difference 0
df 8

t Stat
-
6.045615227
P(T<=t) one-tail 0.000153702
t Critical one-tail 1.859548038
P(T<=t) two-tail 0.000307405

t Critical two-tail 2.306004135

Dissolved Oxygen; (There is low variance)
Sites
Dissolved Oxygen
/mg/L
Mean 3 3.754
Variance 2.5 2.63003
Observations 5 5
Pooled Variance 2.565015
Hypothesized Mean Difference 0
df 8
t Stat -0.744382913
P(T<=t) one-tail 0.238969009
t Critical one-tail 1.859548038
P(T<=t) two-tail 0.477938018

t Critical two-tail 2.306004135

Conductivity; (There is low variance)
Sites Conductivity /ms
Mean 3 3.854
Variance 2.5 1.02868
Observations 5 5
Pooled Variance 1.76434
Hypothesized Mean Difference 0
df 8
t Stat -1.016568703
P(T<=t) one-tail 0.169556793
t Critical one-tail 1.859548038
P(T<=t) two-tail 0.339113586

t Critical two-tail 2.306004135









Alkalinity; (There is high variance)
Sites Alkalinity
Mean 3 10.382
Variance 2.5 44.90872
Observations 5 5
Pooled Variance 23.70436
Hypothesized Mean Difference 0
df 8
t Stat -2.397341636
P(T<=t) one-tail 0.02167811
t Critical one-tail 1.859548038
P(T<=t) two-tail 0.04335622

t Critical two-tail 2.306004135

Total Nitrates; (There is low variance)
Sites Total Nitrates /mg/L
Mean 3 2.44
Variance 2.5 1.608
Observations 5 5
Pooled Variance 2.054
Hypothesized Mean Difference 0
df 8
t Stat 0.617814094
P(T<=t) one-tail 0.27693686
t Critical one-tail 1.859548038
P(T<=t) two-tail 0.553873721

t Critical two-tail 2.306004135









Reactive Phosphates; (There is very high variance)
Sites
Total Phosphates
/mg/L
Mean 3 19.774
Variance 2.5 126.21288
Observations 5 5
Pooled Variance 64.35644
Hypothesized Mean Difference 0
df 8
t Stat -3.306059283
P(T<=t) one-tail 0.005380607
t Critical one-tail 1.859548038
P(T<=t) two-tail 0.010761214

t Critical two-tail 2.306004135

Total Suspended Solids; (There is very high variance)
Sites
Total Suspended Solids
/mg/L
Mean 3 31.18
Variance 2.5 271.472
Observations 5 5
Pooled Variance 136.986
Hypothesized Mean Difference 0
df 8
t Stat -3.806912553
P(T<=t) one-tail 0.002592685
t Critical one-tail 1.859548038
P(T<=t) two-tail 0.005185369

t Critical two-tail 2.306004135








Hardness; (There is very high variance)
Sites Hardness
Mean 3 135.58
Variance 2.5 143.822
Observations 5 5
Pooled Variance 73.161
Hypothesized Mean Difference 0
df 8
t Stat -24.50801867
P(T<=t) one-tail 4.10236E-09
t Critical one-tail 1.859548038
P(T<=t) two-tail 8.20472E-09

t Critical two-tail 2.306004135

DISCUSSION
The water pollution rules of the Environmental Management act (2000) was implemented in
2001. It defines an acceptable range of pollutants in different bodies of water. In this case, table T.2
shows the acceptable amount of pollutants in an in-land stream, in Trinidad and Tobago; parameters
shown with respect to the experiment done. It can be seen from the trends observed in graph G.1, that
Dissolved Oxygen Content is exceeds the rules at sites one and three. This could be due to the presence of
algae in the water, which is a by-product of eutrophication. The algae population grows out of proportion
and uses more oxygen in the water than it should, thus reducing the free oxygen for other organisms(Mark
Lallanilla 2014). By conducting the Students T-test, we can conclude there is low variance in between
the results obtained at each site. There is also low variance in the pH test as seen in graph G.1. The pH
levels also seem to fall within the accepted range of 6 9. This means the stream should be able to sustain
organisms, as it is within their zone of tolerance. What could possibly hamper this however is the
pollution in the stream.
Graph G.2, shows the trends for Alkalinity, Phosphates and Nitrates. Alkalinity has high variance
according to the Students T-test, the stream also appears to be very alkaline. In terms of phosphates
however, not only is there a high variance, but the levels of phosphate are much higher than the range the
water pollution rules deem safe. The point source polluter is the settlers on the banks whom allow their
effluents to enter the stream via drainage. Household detergents and soaps contain phosphate as one of the
major constituents, which accounts for the high concentrations. The nitrate levels on the other hand show
low variance and are well within the accepted range. Conductivity is a parameter that is also quite
important. It tells us how well the water conducts an electrical charge. It comes as no surprise that the
area with the highest conductivity is site two, which gets effluents directly from the water treatment plant.
During the purification process, the water is chlorinated as explained in the introduction. The water is also
dumped directly into the stream after purifying so the excess Cl- electrons can aid in conducting more
positive charges. The conductivity of water directly affects the type of organisms that can live in it.
Certain species of fish can only live in water with particular conductivity ranges. In a more diverse
ecosystem, if the conductivity is altered, it may lead to the death of a certain species which previously
acted as a limiting factor for another, or acted as food for a higher trophic organism(EPA 2012).
In graph G.3, total suspended solids, as well as hardness of the water are assessed. We can see
that total suspended solids have high variance. The sites are also within the water pollution rules being
<50 mg/L however, they are close to this borderline, in the case of site 2 and 3, which both has >40mg/L
which is still high. This is probably caused by the erosion of the river banks during rain, which increases
turbidity. This can reduce the fluidity of the water, which means that certain species will not be able to
live in it. It is essentially, another limiting factor to certain aquatic populations. The water hardness also
seems to have high variance. All of the sites boast values beyond 115, which tells that the water is very
hard. It will not lather easily, so it will also take a lot to clean.
In conclusion, the values obtained indicate the state of the stream. The water pollution rules are
outdated and are in dire need of amendment in order to effectively protect the environment. It is for this
reason that the water treatment plant can be considered inefficient. It was designed to treat water used by
a certain population which has since grown over the years, and water is being used even more frequently
(Ministry of Public Utilities and the Environment, 2005), an infrastructural upgrade is needed. If the plant
also insists on dumping the water it cleanses back into the stream, it needs to upgrade the technology it
uses to obtain the cleanest water with the least impact on the environment. Pollution laws need to be
enforced as well in order to prevent the heavy garbage dumping taking place within the stream. The
households along the bank also need proper disposal networks for their effluents as allowing it to run into
the stream in its raw state is having a negative impact on the water quality.

REFERENCES
1
Maureen Daas, Wastewater Discharges at UWI St. Augustine Campus
http://uwispace.sta.uwi.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/2139/977/MaureenDass_MSc.pdf?sequence=1
2
Water and Sewage Authority, 2008, The Water Treatment Process
http://www.wasa.gov.tt/WASA_Education_water_WaterTreatment.html
3
Ministry of Housing and Environment, 2001, The Water Pollution Rules
https://drive.google.com/?tab=mo&authuser=0#activity
4
Mark Lallanilla, 2014 Eutrophication and Algal Blooms
http://greenliving.about.com/od/greenlivingbasics/a/Eutrophication-Algal-Blooms.htm
5
EPA, 2012 Why is Conductivity Important?
http://water.epa.gov/type/rsl/monitoring/vms59.cfm
6
Ministry of Public Utilities and the Environment, 2005 Water Resources Management Policy
http://greentnt.org/sites/default/files/documents/bills/Policy-WRMU.pdf


APPENDIX
Diagram 1 Sketch map of test site