Wastewater reuse has become an integral part of Integrated Water Resources Management and thus plays a role in securing the water needs for future generations. This study aimed at determining the perceptions of Canaanland, an emerging urban community in Ogun State, Nigeria, on treated wastewater reuse for several purposes. Data were collected through questionnaires administered to the city residents (n = 244). Findings revealed that the city was aware of the economic and environmental benefits of wastewater reuse but would prefer reuse schemes that involved less human contact such as flushing toilets, electricity generation, building construction, and car wash. The least preferred option was for potable purposes. The community also revealed that they would be willing to accept wastewater reuse as long as it is endorsed by medical doctors, university professors, and experts. However, 45.5% of the respondents were from the Covenant University academic environment. Also, an assessment was carried out to ascertain the implications and opportunities for wastewater reuse in the city. Findings indicated that wastewater reuse involves several complexities and interlinkages, which revolve around political and decisional factors, economic and social factors, environmental factors, and technological factors. From the study, policy and decisional suggestions and a wastewater process flow were developed for more efficient wastewater management within developing cities. A study was carried out on eight cities from developing nations that have created a framework for wastewater management using several approaches. Also, a summary of findings reveals that if adequately researched, cheap and alternative means of wastewater treatment and reuse could be developed for electricity generation, carwash, and firefighting for developing nations. The result of this research can be used to address public anxieties regarding wastewater-reuse practices. Additionally, this study hopes to aid successful wastewater management schemes in the foreseeable future.
This research aims to review the current state and limitations of water resources management in Nigeria and explore how adopting an integrated approach to water management can strengthen socio-economic development. As the support for integrated water resources management (IWRM) grows, it is necessary to explore how feasible it is in the Nigerian context especially with many Nigerian states facing water stress even with the country's substantial resources. This paper reviews literature related to the implementation of IWRM around the world with particular reference to developing countries in Africa and draws parallels between their experience and the possibilities that exist for IWRM in Nigeria. Progress on adopting IWRM in Nigeria is discussed and the pitfalls to implementing IWRM in practice are identified. Among the hindrances to effective water resources management in the country is the lack of good water governance, which has affected the quality of water legislation and institutions. This paper concludes that the slow progress of IWRM implementation in Nigeria is the result of an unclear framework for implementing IWRM in the country. This paper recommends an iterative approach to implementing IWRM that allows for adaptation and is tailored to solve specific water problems in Nigeria.
Hazardous waste materials and their management are of prime importance to society. This article gives an overview of the current practices that relate to hazardous waste management. It looks at issues concerning the transboundary or international movement of harmful materials from industrialized nations to the developing and emerging world. This study has shown that Africa, most notably Nigeria, has become a dumping ground for hazardous waste materials as a result of the high importation of scrap computers and electronic devices into the country. The public health hazards, such as birth deficiencies, cancers, and even infectious diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B and C, respectively, have been traced to the improper management of these waste materials. The review highlights a few models on hazardous waste management as developed by previous literature, which gives a hierarchy, ranging from source reduction, recycling, and landfill options. Studies reveal that hazardous waste management in Africa must revolve around wealth creation, economic, and environmental sustainability. The study provided evidence that the recycling option has high potentials in the areas of energy recovery. The data collected show South Africa to be the most advanced in the African continent in the field of hazardous waste management. For a sustainable environment, keen attention must be paid to hazardous waste management globally.
Across the world, ballasted railway tracks are utilised extensively due to their cost efficiency, ease of drainage, and capacity to withstand cyclic imposed loadings from heavy trains. In spite of these benefits, the ballast is often considered as a flexible medium; as such, its continuous deterioration is largely disregarded. Geotechnical challenges such as ballast contamination in the form of particle fragmentation, deposition of weathered materials, upward pumping of clay and fines from underlayers, and coal intrusion have led to differential settlements and reduced drainability of tracks, thereby exacerbating track maintenance costs. This study reviews existing works of literature to expound on the mechanisms for ballast contamination and to highlight the fundamental parameters that guide the characterisation and performance evaluation of railway ballasts. The study shows that ballast fragmentation accounts for about 76% of commonly recorded contaminations, while it is also observed as the most critical to track stability. As such, a variety of indices and specifications for ballast gradation have been established worldwide to guide practice in ballast characterisation and performance evaluation. However, the mechanisms of ballast fragmentation and deterioration require further research to guide the improvement of contemporary guidelines, and mitigate the risk of abrupt track failures, especially in developing countries.
1 August 2019 in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Wastewater reuse is a vital technique to supplement existing water resources for both developing and developed nations. However, the economic research into the design and implementation of a wastewater reuse scheme is required in order to determine the feasibility of any wastewater reuse project from an economic stand point. There are numerous benefits of wastewater recycling. However, these benefits are often not evaluated due to several factors. Nevertheless, the valuation of these benefits is required to justify investment decisions. This research uses cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the benefits of implementing a wastewater reuse scheme in a university community. The investment decision is influenced by the result obtained from the cost benefit analysis calculation. The result of the Net Present Value of this research showed that, the University could recoup its initial investments and also realize huge profits implementing a wastewater reuse scheme. Meaning that the research is or would be feasible financially. This research also shows that with the use of constructed wetland, an extensive method of wastewater treatment, the energy costs accrued per year by the University community would be reduced by millions of naira. Furthermore, the environmental and social benefits of the projects were also considered to complete an economic analysis. The results showed that there are significant environmental and social benefits which includes sustainable groundwater withdrawal, the avoidance of land subsidence and corporate social responsibility.
1 November 2019 in IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
This research is aimed at reviewing the current position and implication of sustainable national development of Nigeria as it concerns holistic water resources management. A new model of integrated water resources management (IWRM) has been developed by researchers and theorists and supported by international organisations that emphasize the multifunctional nature of water. However, there has been much debate on the feasibility of IWRM especially in the African context. The approach adopted in this paper is the review of literature centred on the implementation of IWRM in developing countries and with particular reference to Africa and makes recommendations that would ensure continued progress in the management of water resources in Nigeria. Among the conclusions reached in this paper is the fact that although the process of implementing IWRM in Nigeria may be difficult, a progressive approach that prioritises capacity development, policy and institutional reforms, and transparency will go a long way towards ensuring that Nigeria’s vast water resources are managed and developed in a way that maximises benefit while maintaining the health of the natural environment.