Assessment of Industrial Wastewater Effluents into Urban Ecosystem Kigali, Rwanda

ABSTRACT Rwanda is developing its industrial sector for economic development; those industries are regularly generating wastes, either solid, liquid and gas which can in one way or another harm the living species. For the purpose of this study, an assessment of industrial wastewater effluents into urban wetland ecosystem was done and City of Kigali is considered. The objectives of the study was to establish the pollutants in the effluent of key point sources of Kigali and then assess the effluent discharge management methods and treatments regimes. if any. of three key identified pollution point sources. The pollution due to discharge of untreated industrial effluent into environment is a disturbing environmental crisis of Kigali City. Industries do not have effluent treatment facilities and where the system exists, it does not meet the requirement for effluent standard before their dumping into surface water. It is for this endeavor that effluents from some industries were analyzed through laboratory experiments and then compare the results to the national standards maximum limits requi1·ed for effluents to be discharged to environment. It was found that the urban wetland is polluted by the presence of a higher concentration of TSS. COD. Faecal Coli forms. Cd. Cu. CN. Ni and Phenol rn all the tree sampling sites. And Pb at Kabuye and UTEXR WA. As at UTEXRWA and RUGANWA and then TDS at UTEXRWA, BOD at KABUYE. Fe at UTEXRWA, Cr (VI) at UTEXR WA and Hg is higher at UTEXR WA. The pH value was found to be higher at UTEXR WA and lower at Kabuye. The problem of unplanned settlement leads to having many human activities near those effluents point. Both animal and plant communities are highly affected by the pollulated effluents. so all concerned industries should treat their effluents to protect the biodiversity and reuse them for saving costs, then water is regulated. and the industry's public image is improved. Government should ensure that the fixed standards are respected by monitoring wastewater discharges. The principle of intergeneration equity should guide all of us, as environmental protection is concerned. This is the wise use of environment, natural resources for present and future generations.