The Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Domestic Wastewater in Adétikopé (Togo, West Africa)

Efui Holaly Gbekley (), Kossi Komi, Koko Zébéto Houedakor, Sossawè Poli, Kossi Kpoezou, Djiwonou Koffi Adjalo, Kossiwa Zinsou-Klassou, Tchadjobo Tchacondo, Yaovi Ameyapoh and Pèssiezoum Adjoussi
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Efui Holaly Gbekley: Regional Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Cities in Africa (CERViDA-Dounedon), University of Lomé, Lome 01 BP 1515, Togo
Kossi Komi: Regional Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Cities in Africa (CERViDA-Dounedon), University of Lomé, Lome 01 BP 1515, Togo
Koko Zébéto Houedakor: Regional Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Cities in Africa (CERViDA-Dounedon), University of Lomé, Lome 01 BP 1515, Togo
Sossawè Poli: African Institute of Biomedical, Agrifood, Societal and Environmental Sciences (IAS-BASE), Lome 02 BP 87, Togo
Kossi Kpoezou: African Institute of Biomedical, Agrifood, Societal and Environmental Sciences (IAS-BASE), Lome 02 BP 87, Togo
Djiwonou Koffi Adjalo: Regional Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Cities in Africa (CERViDA-Dounedon), University of Lomé, Lome 01 BP 1515, Togo
Kossiwa Zinsou-Klassou: Regional Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Cities in Africa (CERViDA-Dounedon), University of Lomé, Lome 01 BP 1515, Togo
Tchadjobo Tchacondo: Laboratory of Biomedical, Food and Environmental Health Sciences (LaSBASE), University of Lomé, Lome 01 BP 1515, Togo
Yaovi Ameyapoh: Microbiology and Food Quality Control Laboratory (LAMICODA), University of Lomé, Lome 01 BP 1515, Togo
Pèssiezoum Adjoussi: Regional Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Cities in Africa (CERViDA-Dounedon), University of Lomé, Lome 01 BP 1515, Togo

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 18, 1-16

Abstract: Wastewater represents a health risk for the population. For sanitary safety, it is important to know its physico-chemical and microbiological qualities in order to better understand the risks incurred by the population. The aim of this study was to analyze Adétikopé’s domestic wastewater from a microbiological and physico-chemical standpoint. Twelve wastewater samples were taken in Adétikopé from December 2022 to February 2023. Physico-chemical parameters were determined in accordance with AFNOR and the French NF standard. In microbiology, AFNOR was used as a reference for the detection of germs contaminating wastewater. Results were assessed in relation to European Union Criteria 98/83/EC. The wastewater analyzed has a pH close to neutral, with an average pH of 7.05. The pollutant load generated ranged from 32 mG/L to 201 mg/L for BOD5, from 660 mG/L to 900 mG/L for COD and from 408 mG/L to 2080 mG/L for suspended solids. The highest levels of germs were detected in the samples taken, with values of 68,000 CFU/100 mL and 47,000 CFU/100 mL for thermotolerant coliforms and fecal streptococci, respectively. The results show that fecal contamination originates from both animal and human sources. Concentrations of fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci are very high, far exceeding WHO guidelines. While a short-term solution would be to disinfect household sanitation systems on a daily basis, in the long term, the construction of collective sanitation systems, backed up by environmental education, remains a sustainable solution for the health and safety of populations.

Keywords: wastewater; physico-chemistry; bacteriology; sanitary safety; Adétikopé (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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