







































Global Sustainability Research                      ISSN: 2833-986X                                                 
https://doi.org/10.56556/gssr.v1i1.298 
                                                                  

 

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Characterisation of Physico-Chemical Properties and heavy metal concentrations of 
Surface Water receiving effluent from champion breweries PlC  in  Uyo, Akwa Ibom 
State, Nigeria 

Akpan, S. Udeme1, Umana, S. Umana*2 

1Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria 
2Department of Geology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria 
 
*Corresponding author email: Umana, S. Umana, umanaedo@yahoo.com 
Received: 18 July, 2022, Accepted: 17 August, 2022, Published: 18 August, 2022 

 

Abstract 

Physico-chemical properties and heavy metal concentrations of surface water receiving effluent from Champion 

Breweries Plc, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State were analysed to evaluate the effect of the effluent on the physico-chemical 

properties and heavy metal concentrations of the surface water. The water samples were collected using polyethylene 

bottles that were initially rinsed with 10% hydrochloric acid (HCl) then with the sample water. Two samples were 

collected at each sampling point. One was for physicochemical properties determinations while the other sample was for 

heavy metal analysis. HNO3 was added in the samples for heavy metal analysis for preservation of the metals. The 

collected samples were stored in an ice-packed cooler kit and taken to the laboratory for analysis. The results showed that 

the temperature of the water was within the permissible limit. Mean pH was lower than the permissible range for drinking 

water especially during the dry season.  Turbidity was above the permissible limit in both dry/wet seasons. Dissolved 

oxygen was below the permissible limit. Mean biochemical oxygen demand was above the permissible limit. The result of 

the ratio of chemical oxygen demand to biochemical oxygen demand showed that the compounds in the water were 

relatively biodegradable. Total suspended solid was above the permissible limit. Mean total dissolved solid was below the 

permissible limit. Mean electrical conductivity was also below the permissible limit. The concentration of NH4 was at 

toxic level. The concentrations of nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and sulphate were below the permissible limits indicating non-

toxicity and lack of these nutrient elements in the water. The contents of Fe, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Co and Mn were above 

permissible levels. The effluent from Champion breweries is considered to be one of the major sources of pollutants of 

surface water in this area, which efficient treatment of effluent before disposal is recommended.  

Keywords: Champion Breweries; surface water; effluent; pollution 

 

Introduction 

Contamination of surface water quality such as streams, 

springs and rivers has been evident over the years in areas 

where industrial, agricultural and other intensive human 

activities are carried out (Abua and Okpiliya, 2005). As 

observed by Asthana and Asthana (2001), thousands of 

industrial plants discharge effluents into sewage plants 

that are unequipped to process many of the industrial 

pollutants, which are then discharged into the natural 

environment. Accordingly, industrial establishments, end 

up in discharging various heavy or trace metals, organic 

and inorganic compounds and acids into surface waters 

thus altering their pH, other parameters as well as 

upsetting the biological system (Sule, 2001). Equally, 

research conducted on surface and groundwater from the 

coastal areas of Oron, Mbo, Ibeno and Ikot Abasi both in 

Akwa Ibom State, indicated anomalous occurrence of 

coliform bacteria (Escherichia coli) heavy metals in 

surface and groundwater sources and the values were far 

in excess of the World Health Organisation (WHO) 

stipulated standards (Amah et al., 2007).  

In line with the research topic, Ekhaise and Anyasi 

(2005), assessed the extent of pollution on surface water 

due to effluent discharged from the two brewery 

industries in Benin City. The population of total coliform 

bacteria in all the water samples obtained from Ikpoba 

river were generally high likewise some physico-chemical 

properties whose values were higher than the WHO 

tolerant level while Adediran et al. (2004) reported of 

pollution of streams, well-water and soil with cadmium, 

chromium, copper and nickel by a brewery industry

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 located in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. It is quite glaring 

that effluent discharged into surface water, underground 

water and soil from brewery plants is capable of causing 

pollution. Brewery effluent is comprised of wastewater 

from washing bottles, water treatment plant, carbon 

dioxide generating plant, bottling and production hall and 

general wastewater from domestic washing. Losses in 

beer production process and the clean-in-place (CIP) 

located in the brewery house, cellar house and bottling 

house also form part of the effluent from brewery plants 

(Techobanoglous et al., 1991). 

Untreated brewery effluent contains basically, suspended 

solids in the ranges of 10-60 mg/l, biochemical oxygen 

demand (BOD) in the range of 1000 – 1500 mg/l, 

chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the range of 1800 – 

3000 mg/l and nitrogen in the range of 30-100mg/l (Alao 

et al., 2010). The effluent also contains organic materials 

such as spent grains, waste yeast, spent hops and grit. The 

average range of effluent pH is about 7 for combined 

effluent but can fluctuate from 3-12 depending on the use 

of acid or alkaline cleaning agent (World Bank, 1997). 

Pollutants arising from brewery effluent have the 

potentials to affect aquatic ecosystem. The productivity 

and growth of aquatic organisms depend on the physical, 

chemical and microbiological characteristics of the water 

body (Olagbemide, 2017). Maximum productivity of 

aquatic lives can only be obtained in water with optimal 

level of physical, chemical and microbiological 

parameters (Olagbemide, 2017). It is therefore very 

essential and important to test water before it is used for 

drinking, other domestic agricultural or industrial 

purposes.  

Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the 

physicochemical parameters and heavy metal 

concentrations of surface water receiving effluent from 

Champion Breweries, Uyo and to assess the quality of this 

water to aid in decision making and policy formulation. 

Materials and methods 

Study Area 

The study was carried out at Aka-Offot Industrial Layout 

in Uyo Metropolis where Champion Breweries Plc is 

located. It lies between longitudes 70 55" E - 70 56" E and 

latitudes 50 00" N -50 01" N (Figure 1). The area has a 

humid tropical climate with an annual rainfall ranging 

from 2500-3000mm and annual mean temperature of 

about 270C and the relative humidity ranging from 75% to 

79%. The topography of the area is low-lying with coastal 

plain sand as parent material (Petters et al., 1989). It has a 

level to gently undulating topography with a gradient of 

less than five per cent (Tahal, 1979; Okoji, 1988). The 

surface geology is unconsolidated Sand Formations 

ranging from Coarse to Fine Sands.    

Water Sampling Method 

The water samples were collected using polyethylene 

bottles that were initially rinsed with 10% hydrochloric 

acid (HCl) then with the sample water. Two samples were 

collected at each sampling point. One sample was used 

for physicochemical properties determinations. The other 

sample was for heavy metal analysis. Nitric acid (HNO3) 

was added in the samples for heavy metal analysis for the 

preservation of the metals. Electrical conductivity, pH, 

temperature of the samples were determined in the field 

using standard equipment (Century Water Analysis Kit). 

The collected samples were stored in an ice-packed cooler 

kit and taken to the laboratory for analysis.  The samples 

were collected in both wet and dry seasons.  A total of 18 

samples were collected at 9 locations in each season for 

laboratory analysis. 

Laboratory analysis 

In the laboratory, analysis was done by volumetric 

analysis using standard methods given in APHA, (1992). 

Atomic absorption spectrophotometer UNICAM model 

93 was used in carrying out heavy metal analysis using 

Whitehead (1979) method. 

Results and Discussion 

Physico-chemical properties  

Physical parameters 

The physical parameters of the surface water of the study 

area for both dry and wet seasons are presented in Table 1  

Temperature 

The temperature of the surface water in the study area 

varied from 30.0 to 37.0 0C with a mean of 35.1 0C in the 

dry season and 32.0 to 37.10C with a mean of 33.9 0C in 

the wet season. Mean temperature was higher in the dry 

season than wet season. There was no significant 

difference (p < 0.05) in temperature between the 

permissible limit and that of the surface water during both 

wet and dry seasons in the study area... Temperature 

affects the amount of dissolved oxygen in water, rate of 

photosynthesis in plant, the metabolic rate of aquatic 

animals and so on. The moderate temperature of the 

surface water in the study area could be attributed to the 

temperature of the environment (Gupta et al., 2003). 

Turbidity 

The turbidity of the surface water within the study area 

varied from 304.0 to 910.0 NTU with a mean of 668.9 

NTU in the dry season and 250.0 to 1702.0 NTU with a 

mean of 756.6 NTU in the wet season. Mean turbidity 

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was higher in the wet season than dry season. Mean 

turbidity of the surface water of the study area was 

significantly higher (p <0.05) than the permissible limit of 

5.0 for drinking water (Nigerian Standard for Drinking 

Water Quality, 2015)  during both wet and dry seasons. 

Turbidity is a measure of the ability of light to pass 

through water. It measures water’s murkiness which gives 

an estimate of suspended solids in the water. High 

turbidity prevents sufficient light from entering the water 

for photosynthesis by submerged plants (Gupta et al., 

2003). The high turbidity in the study area could be 

attributed to the effluent discharged into the surface water 

by Champion Breweries Plc. 

 

Figure 1: Map of Akwa Ibom State showing Champion Breweries Plc, Uyo (study area).  

Source: Agate Geographic Services (2008). 

Chemical parameters 

The chemical parameters of the surface water of the study 

area for both dry and wet seasons are presented in Table 

2. 

pH 

The pH of the surface water in the study area varied from 

5.23 to 5.52 with a mean of 5.5 in the dry season and 5.49 

to 6.79 with a mean of 6.5 in the wet season. Mean pH 

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was higher during the wet season than dry season. This 

means that the surface water was more acidic in the dry 

season than wet season. Mean pH of the surface water of 

the study area was significantly lower (p <0.05) than the 

permissible range of 6.5-8.5 for drinking water (Nigerian 

Standard for Drinking Water Quality, 2015) during the 

dry season but no significant difference from the 

permissible range during the wet season. Water pH is the 

measure of hydrogen ion concentration in water. Better 

fish production is possible in water with pH range of 6.5 

to 9.0 (Olasoji et al., 2019). The lower pH of the surface 

water during the dry season than the permissible limit 

may be attributed to acid cleansing agent in the effluent 

discharged from Champion Breweries Plc  (Olasoji et al., 

2019). 

Dissolved oxygen (DO) 

The dissolved oxygen of the surface water in the study 

area varied from 1.20 to 2.20 mg/l with a mean of 1.40 

mg/l during dry season and 1.10 to 2.20 mg/l with a mean 

of 1.52 mg/l during wet season. Mean dissolved oxygen 

was higher during the wet season than dry season. 

Dissolved oxygen is a measure of the amount of oxygen 

in water. Mean dissolved oxygen of the surface water of 

the study area was significantly lower (p <0.05) than the 

permissible limit of 6.0 mg/l for drinking water (United 

States Environmental Protection Agency, 2022) during 

both wet and dry seasons. The values indicate that the 

amount of oxygen in the water was not within the 

permissible limit. The low amount of oxygen in the 

surface water in the study area could be attributed to 

organic pollutants, inorganic reductants and other 

oxidizable substances in the effluent from the Champion 

Breweries Plc that consumes large amount of dissolved 

oxygen in the water (Olasoji et al., 2019). 

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) 

The biochemical oxygen demand of the surface water in 

the study area varied from 0.00 to 10.8 mg/l with a mean 

of 6.1 mg/l during dry season and 3.14 to 11.19 mg/l with 

a mean of 6.6 mg/l during wet season. Mean biochemical 

oxygen demand was higher during the wet season than 

dry season. Biochemical oxygen demand measures the 

amount of oxygen that bacteria take from water when 

they oxidized organic matter. It determines the amount of 

oxygen required for biological oxidation of organic matter 

with the help of microbial activities. High BOD above 

permissible limit indicated the polluted status of the 

water. The mean biochemical oxygen demand of the 

surface water in the study area was significantly higher (p 

<0.05) than the permissible limit of 2.0 mg/l for drinking 

water (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 

2022) during both wet and dry seasons. The high 

biochemical oxygen demand of the surface water of the 

study area could be attributed to the organic pollutants 

from the effluent discharged from the Champion 

Breweries Plc (Olasoji et al., 2019). 

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) 

The chemical oxygen demand of the surface water   in  

the study area varied from 0.50 to 1.60 mg/l with a mean 

of 1.24 mg/l during dry season and 0.40 to 0.80 mg/l with 

a mean of 0.61 mg/l during wet season. Mean chemical 

oxygen demand was higher during the dry season than 

wet season. Chemical oxygen demand is a measure of the 

oxygen equivalent of the organic matter content of water 

sample that is susceptible to oxidation by a strong 

oxidant. It is a measure of combined effect of many 

industrial pollutants. High COD above permissible limit 

indicates the polluted status of the water. The mean 

chemical oxygen demand of the surface water of the study 

area was significantly lower (p <0.05) than the 

permissible limit of 150 mg/l for drinking water (United 

States Environmental Protection Agency, 2022) during 

both wet and dry seasons. The low chemical oxygen 

demand of the surface water in the study area could be 

attributed to the low inorganic pollutant from the effluent 

discharged from Champion Breweries Plc  (Olagbemide, 

2017). 

 

Table 1: The physical parameters of the surface water of the study area during dry and wet seasons 

       Parameter Minimum Maximum  Sample 

Mean 

Permissible 

Limit 

T-test 

Value 

Significance (p 

< 0.05) 

                                                         Dry season  

Temperature (0C) 30.0 37.0 35.1 Ambient 

(35.0) 

0.078 0.94 NS 

Turbidity (NTU’s) 304.0 910.0 668.9 5.0 9.614 0.001S 

Total suspended solid (TSS) 

(mg/l) 

786.0 1960.0 1384.9 25 12.905 0.001S 

Electrical conductivity  (µS/cm) 218.0 551.0 470.6 1000 -15.913 0.001S 

                                                          Wet season  

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Temperature (0C) 32.0 37.1 33.9 Ambient 

(35.0) 

-2.0104 0.07 NS 

Turbidity (NTU’s) 250.0 1702.0 756.6 5.0 5.237 0.001S 

Total suspended solid (TSS) 

(mg/l) 

11.58 2015.0 1137.7 25 6.450 0.001S 

Electrical conductivity  (µS/cm) 340.0 833.0 450.0 1000 -10.636 0.001S 

 

Table 2: Chemical parameters of the surface water of the study area during dry and wet seasons 

       Parameter Minimum Maximum  Sample 

Mean 

Permissible 

Limit 

T-test 

Value 

Significance  

(p < 0.05) 

                                                         Dry season  

pH 5.23 5.52 5.5 6.5 -13.964 0.001S 

Dissolved oxygen (DO )(mg/l) 1.20 2.20 1.40 6.0 -44.773 0.001S 

Biochemical  oxygen demand 

(BOD)(mg/l) 

0.00 10.8 6.09 2.0 3.409 0.001S 

Chemical oxygen demand 

(COD)(mg/l) 

0.50 1.60 1.24 150 -1314.38 0.001S 

Ratio of COD to BOD  0.15 0.20    

Total dissolved solid (TDS) (mg/l) 151.0 276.0 242.2 500 -20.212 0.001S 

Ammonium (NH4) (mg/l) 0.00 12.61 4.71 0.05 3.615 0.001S 

Nitrate (NO3) (mg/l) 0.72 1.34 1.098 50.0 -771.28 0.001S 

Nitrite (NO2) (mg/l) 0.00 0.02 0.0096 0.20 -156.79 0.001S 

Phosphate (PO4) (mg/l) 0.03 0.51 0.42 0.5 -1.394 0.001S 

Sulphate  (SO4) (mg/l) 8.08 27.9 23.4 100 -38.528 0.001S 

Iron (Fe) (mg/l) 0.11 4.97 2.75 0.3 5.252 0.001S 

Lead (Pb) (mg/l) 0.03 4.62 3.47 0.01 7.523 0.001S 

Zinc (Zn) (mg/l) 0.07 5.67 3.92 3.0 1.604 0.147NS 

Cadmium (Cd) (mg/l) 0.01 0.31 0.15 0.003 4.350 0.002S 

Chromium (Cr) (mg/l) 0.01 6.42 4.80 0.05 7.389 0.001S 

Cobalt (Co) (mg/l) 0.04 7.69 4.39 0.02 6.344 0.001S 

Manganese (Mn) (mg/l) 0.03 5.72 3.62 0.2 5.826 0.001S 

       

 

Wet season 

       Parameter Minimum Maximum  Sample 

Mean 

Permissible 

Limit 

T-test 

Value 

Significance  

(p < 0.05) 

pH 5.49 6.79 6.5 6.5 0.290 0.779NS 

Dissolved oxygen (DO )(mg/l) 1.10 2.20 1.52 6.0 -39.709 0.001s 

Biochemical  oxygen demand 

(BOD)(mg/l) 

3.14 11.19 6.60 2.0 4.60 0.002S 

Chemical oxygen demand 

(COD)(mg/l) 

0.40 0.80 0.61 150 -2649.6 0.002S 

Ratio of COD to BOD 0.13 0.07 0.09    

Total dissolved solid (TDS) (mg/l) 125.0 357.0 203.9 500 -6.404 0.001S 

Ammonium (NH4) (mg/l) 3,19 13.05 6.77 0.05 4.987 0.001S 

Nitrate (NO3) (mg/l) 0.42 0.93 0.63 50.0 -795.26 0.001S 

Nitrite (NO2) (mg/l) 0.01 0.01 0.0097 0.20 -284.25 0.001S 

Phosphate (PO4) (mg/l) 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.5 -1889.47 0.001S 

Sulphate  (SO4) (mg/l) 3.21 57.0 23.56 100 -11.94 0.001S 

Iron (Fe) (mg/l) 0.23 1.22 0.995 0.3 6.843 0.001S 

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Lead (Pb) (mg/l) 0.04 0.08 0.057 0.01 8.784 0.001S 

Zinc (Zn) (mg/l) 0.16 0.31 0.20 3.0 -166.649 0.001S 

Cadmium (Cd) (mg/l) 0.00 0.01 0.005 0.003 3.333 0.001S 

Chromium (Cr) (mg/l) 0.00 0.04 0.008 0.05 -10.304 0.001S 

Cobalt (Co) (mg/l) 0.03 0.05 0.04 0.02 8.068 0.001S 

Manganese (Mn) (mg/l) 0.10 0.15 0.11 0.2 -15.322 0.001S 

       

Source: Researchers’ fieldwork (2021) 

Ratio of Chemical Oxygen Demand to Biochemical 

Oxygen Demand (COD: BOD) (Biodegradability 

index) 

The ratio of chemical oxygen demand to biochemical 

oxygen demand of the surface water in the study area was 

0.20 during the dry season and 0.09 during the wet 

season. The ratio was higher during the dry season than 

the wet season. The ratio of chemical oxygen demand to 

biochemical oxygen demand assesses whether the 

compounds in water are biodegradable.  It helps in 

monitoring the presence of toxic and non-degradable 

substances in water. A ratio greater than 100 means that 

the compounds in water are relatively non-biodegradable 

and a ratio of less than 10 means that the compounds are 

relatively degradable. The ratio of chemical oxygen 

demand to biochemical oxygen demand of the surface 

water  in the study area shows that the compounds in the 

surface water are relatively biodegradable (Olagbemide, 

2017). 

Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) 

The total dissolved solid of the surface water in the study 

area varied from 151.0 to 276.0 mg/l with a mean of 

242.2 mg/l during dry season and 125.0 to 357.0 mg/l 

with a mean of 203.9 mg/l during wet season. Mean total 

dissolved solid was higher during the dry season than wet 

season. Total dissolved solid is a measure of the amount 

of dissolved salts in water. Salty water conducts 

electricity more readily than pure water. The mean total 

dissolved solid of the surface water in the study area was 

significantly lower (p <0.05) than the permissible limit of 

500 mg/l for drinking water (Nigerian Standard for 

Drinking Water Quality, 2015) during both wet and dry 

seasons. The values indicate that the amount of dissolved 

salts in the water was not up to the level that constitutes 

danger to human health and aquatic life (Olasoji et al., 

2019). Total dissolved solid just like electrical 

conductivity serves as a tool for assessing the purity of 

water. 

Ammonium (NH4) 

The ammonium (NH4) content of the surface water in the 

study area varied from 0.00 to 12.61 mg/l with a mean of 

4.71 mg/l during dry season and 3.19 to 13.05 mg/l with a 

mean of 6.77 mg/l during wet season. Mean NH4 content 

was higher during the wet season than dry season. 

Ammonium (NH4) is a source of nitrogen in water. High 

concentration is toxic to aquatic life. The mean NH4 

content of the surface water of the study area was 

significantly higher (p <0.05) than the permissible limit of  

0.05 mg/l for drinking water (United States 

Environmental Protection Agency, 2022) during both wet 

and dry seasons. The values indicate that the NH4 content 

in the surface water of the study area was at toxic level. 

This concentration is toxic to aquatic life. This could be 

attributed to the effluent discharged into the surface water 

by Champion Breweries Plc (Olasoji et al., 2019). 

Nitrate (NO3) 

The nitrate (NO3) content of the surface water in the study 

area varied from 0.72 to 1.34 mg/l with a mean of 1.1 

mg/l during dry season and 0.42 to 0.93 mg/l with a mean 

of 0.6 mg/l during wet season. Mean NO3 content was 

higher during the dry season than wet season. Nitrate is a 

source of nitrogen in water. High concentration causes 

excessive growth of algae and water weeds. It can 

contribute to eutrophication in aquatic ecosystem. The 

mean NO3 content of the surface water of the study area 

was significantly lower (p <0.05) than the permissible 

limit of  50.0 mg/l for drinking water (Nigerian Standard 

for Drinking Water Quality, 2015) during both wet and 

dry seasons. The values indicate that the NO3 content in 

the surface water of the study area was not up to the level 

that constitutes danger to human health and aquatic life 

(Olasoji et al., 2019) 

Nitrite (NO2) 

The nitrite (NO2) content of the surface water in the study 

area varied from 0.00 to 0.02 mg/l with a mean of 0.0096 

mg/l during dry season and 0.01 to 0.01 mg/l with a mean 

of 0.0097 mg/l during wet season.  Nitrite (NO2) is a 

source of nitrogen in water. High concentration could be 

toxic to aquatic life. The mean NO2 content of the surface 

water in  the study area was significantly lower (p <0.05) 

than the permissible limit of  0.02 mg/l for drinking water 

(Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality, 2015) 

during both wet and dry seasons. The values indicate that 

the concentration of NO2  in surface water  in  the study 

area was not up to the level that constitutes danger to 

human health and  aquatic life (Olasoji et al., 2019). 

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Phosphate (PO4) 

The phosphate (PO4) content of the surface water in the 

study area varied from 0.03 to 0.51 mg/l with a mean of 

0.42 mg/l during dry season and 0.04 to 0.04 mg/l with a 

mean of 0.04 mg/l during wet season. Mean PO4 content 

was higher during dry season than wet season Phosphate 

(PO4) is a source of phosphorus in water. High 

concentration is  associated with eutrophication in water. 

The mean PO4 content of the surface water of the study 

area was significantly lower (p <0.05) than the 

permissible limit of  0.5 mg/l for drinking water (Nigerian 

Standard for Drinking Water Quality, 2015) during both 

wet and dry seasons. The values indicate that the PO4 

content of surface water in the study area was not up to 

the level that can cause eutrophication in water (Olasoji et 

al., 2019). 

Sulphate (SO4) 

The sulphate (SO4) content of the surface water in the 

study area varied from 8.08 to 27.9 mg/l with a mean of 

23.4 mg/l during dry season and 3.21 to 57.0 mg/l with a 

mean of 23.6 mg/l during wet season. Sulphate (SO4) is a 

source of sulphur in water. High concentration can impair 

photosynthesis and increase respiration. The mean SO4 

content of the surface water in the study area was 

significantly lower (p <0.05) than the permissible limit of  

100 mg/l for drinking water (Nigerian Standard for 

Drinking Water Quality, 2015) during both wet and dry 

seasons. The values indicate that the concentration of SO4 

of in the surface water in  the study area was not up to the 

level that constitutes danger to human health and aquatic 

life (Olasoji et al., 2019). 

A. Heavy metal concentrations 

Iron (Fe) 

The iron (Fe) content of the surface water in the study 

area varied from 0.11 to 4.97 mg/l with a mean of 2.75 

mg/l during dry season and 0.23 to 1.22 mg/l with a mean 

of 0.99 mg/l during wet season. Iron (Fe) content was 

higher during dry season than wet season. The mean Fe  
content of the surface water in the study area was 

significantly higher (p <0.05) than the permissible limit of  

0.3 mg/l for drinking water (Nigerian Standard for 

Drinking Water Quality, 2015) during both wet and dry 

seasons. The values indicate that the concentration of Fe 

in surface water of the study area was up to the level that 

constitutes danger to human health and aquatic life 

(Olasoji et al., 2019). 

Lead (Pb) 

The lead (Pb) content of the surface water in the study 

area varied from 0.03 to 4.62 mg/l with a mean of 3.47 

mg/l during dry season and 0.04 to 0.08 mg/l with a mean 

of 0.057 mg/l during wet season. Lead (Pb) content was 

higher during the dry season than wet season. The mean 

Pb  content of the surface water in the study area was 

significantly higher (p <0.05) than the permissible limit of  

0.01 mg/l for drinking water (Nigerian Standard for 

Drinking Water Quality, 2015) during both wet and dry 

seasons. The values indicate that the concentration of Pb 

in the surface water of the study area was up to the level 

that constitutes danger to human health and aquatic life 

(Olasoji et al., 2019). 

Zinc (Zn) 

The zinc (Zn) content of the surface water in the study 

area varied from 0.07 to 5.67 mg/l with a mean of  3.92 

mg/l during dry season and 0.16 to 0.31 mg/l with a mean 

of 0.20 mg/l during wet season. The mean zinc (Zn) 

content was higher during the dry season than wet season. 

The mean Zn  content of the surface water in the study 

area was significantly higher (p <0.05) than the 

permissible limit of  3.0 mg/l for drinking water (Nigerian 

Standard for Drinking Water Quality, 2015) during  dry 

season  and below the permissible limit during the wet 

season. The values indicate that the concentration of Zn in 

the surface water of the study area was up to the level that 

constitutes danger to human health and aquatic life during 

dry season and not so during wet season (Olasoji et al., 

2019). 

Cadmium (Cd) 

The cadmium (Cd) content of the surface water in the 

study area varied from 0.01 to 0.31 mg/l with a mean of 

0.15 mg/l during dry season and 0.00 to 0.01 mg/l with a 

mean of 0.005 mg/l during wet season. The mean 

cadmium (Cd) content was higher during dry season than 

wet season. The mean Cd content of the surface water in 

the study area was significantly higher (p <0.05) than the 

permissible limit of  0.003 mg/l for drinking water 

(Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality, 2015) 

during both wet and dry seasons. The values indicate that 

the concentration of Cd in the surface water of the study 

area was up to the level that constitutes danger to human 

health and aquatic life (Olasoji et al., 2019). 

Chromium (Cr) 

The chromium (Cr) content of the surface water in the 

study area varied from 0.01 to 6.42 mg/l with a mean of 

4.80 mg/l during dry season and 0.00 to 0.04 mg/l with a 

mean of 0.008 mg/l during wet season. The mean 

chromium (Cr) content was higher during dry season than 

wet season. The mean Cr  content of the surface water in 

the study area was significantly higher (p <0.05) than the 

permissible limit of  0.05 mg/l for drinking water 

(Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality, 2015) 

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during  dry season and below the permissible limit during 

the wet season. The values indicate that the concentration 

of Cr in the surface water of the study area was up to the 

level that constitutes danger to human health and aquatic 

life during dry season but not so during wet season 

(Olasoji et al., 2019). 

Cobalt (Co) 

The cobalt (Co) content of the surface water in the study 

area varied from 0.04 to 7.69 mg/l with a mean of 4.39 

mg/l during dry season and 0.03 to 0.05 mg/l with a mean 

of 0.04 mg/l during wet season. The mean cobalt (Co) 

content was higher during dry season than wet season. 

The mean Co content of the surface water  in the study 

area was significantly higher (p <0.05) than the 

permissible limit of  0.02 mg/l for drinking water (United 

States Environmental Protection Agency, 2022) during  

both wet and dry seasons. The values indicate that the 

concentration of Co in the surface water of the study area 

was up to the level that constitutes danger to human 

health and aquatic life (Olasoji et al., 2019). 

Manganese (Mn) 

The manganese (Mn) content of the surface water in the 

study area varied from 0.03 to 5.72 mg/l with a mean of 

3.62 mg/l during dry season and 0.10 to 0.15 mg/l with a 

mean of 0.11 mg/l during wet season. The mean 

manganese (Mn) content was higher during dry season 

than wet season. The mean Mn  content of the surface 

water in the study area was significantly higher (p <0.05) 

than the permissible limit of  0.2 mg/l for drinking water 

(Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality, 2015) 

during  dry season and below the permissible limit during 

the wet season. The values indicate that the Mn content in 

the surface water of the study area was up to the level that 

constitutes danger to human health and aquatic life during 

dry season but not so during wet season (Olasoji et al., 

2019). Chronic manganese exposure resulting from 

inhalation of manganese dioxide over a period of years, 

attacks the human nervous system (Asthana and Asthana, 

2001).  

Conclusion/ Recommendation 

The study reveals that the temperature of the surface 

water was within the permissible limit. The average pH of 

the surface water in the study area was lower than the 

permissible range for drinking water especially during dry 

season. This implies that the water was acidic for optimal 

use by human and aquatic lives. Turbidity of the surface 

water was above the permissible limit in both wet and dry 

seasons, indicating low light penetration into the water. 

Dissolved oxygen (the amount of oxygen in water) was 

below the permissible limit, indicating lack of sufficient 

oxygen in water in both wet and dry seasons. Mean 

biochemical oxygen demand of the surface water was 

above the permissible limit, indicating high level of 

organic pollutants in the water. The ratio of chemical 

oxygen demand to biochemical oxygen demand of the 

surface water in the study area shows that the compounds 

in the surface water were relatively biodegradable. Total 

suspended solid in surface water was above the 

permissible limit, indicating low water clarity. Mean total 

dissolved solid of the surface water was below the 

permissible limit, indicating low amount of dissolved salts 

in water. Mean electrical conductivity of the surface water 

was also below the permissible limit, equally indicating 

low amount of dissolved salts in water during wet and dry 

seasons. The concentration of NH4 in the surface water 

was at toxic level. The contents of nitrate, nitrite, 

phosphate and sulphate were below permissible limits, 

indicating non-toxic and lack of these nutrient elements in 

water. The contents of Fe, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr Co and Mn 

were above permissible levels, implying that these 

elements were at various toxic levels in the surface water. 

Therefore, the effluent from Champion breweries Plc is 

considered to be one of the major sources of pollutants of 

the surface water in this area, with the tendency of 

affecting human health, aquatic organisms and soil 

contamination as well. 

However, the management of Champion Breweries Plc 

should as a matter of urgency, improve upon their effluent 

treatment method by installing anti-pollution equipment 

for the treatment of their effluent before disposal, which is 

based on the Best Available Technology (BAT). 

 

Declarations 

Ethics approval and consent to participate 

Not applicable 

Consent for publication 

Not applicable 

Availability of data and material 

All data are contained within the manuscript  

 

Competing interests 

 

All authors declare zero financial or inter-personal 

conflict of interest that could have influenced the research 

work or results reported in this research paper. 

 

Funding 

 

This research was not funded by any Governmental or 

Non-governmental agency. 

 

 

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