Water Treatment Only Option to Reclaim Polluted Water - Don

By Lucky Isibor

The treatment of water has remained the only option for man to dress water for portability, reclaim already polluted water at the site of use and conserve the health of earthly waters and the general health and well-being of humans.

Prof. Michael Osehon Osuide (C) flanked by other academic giants as Prof. Abhulimen reads his citation at the commencement of the lecture

This position was made known by Prof. Michael Osehon Osuide, a Professor of Industrial and Environmental Chemistry at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma while delivering the 97th Inaugural Lecture of the University titled "Healing the Waters", on Thursday, 24 November at the Rev. Chris Oyakhilome Auditorium.

Prof. Osuide who enumarated the sources of water, the various modes of pollution and methods of purification suitable for the various uses of water, noted that the natural purification and conservation of water is failing as a result of climate change. The lecture also noted that air and water are at the core of climate change crisis - the crisis of contaminated water.

While listing rain water, surface water and ground water as the sources of water, the erudite scholar enumerated the sources of surface water pollution as "Sewage, chemical and medical wastes from factories, hospitals etc; agrochemicals inclusive of pesticides-laden run off from farmlands all make their way to the sea by barge, rivers, pipelines, gutters waterways."

"Contamination of groundwater can and has arisen from a variety of sources inclusive of: Discharge from improperly operated or located septic systems, improper disposal of hazardous and other chemical wastes, spills from pipelines or transportation accidents, recharge of groundwater with contaminated surface water, leaking retention ponds or lagoons, leaking dumps and landfills and most importantly free and open dumpsites."

The lecture outlined the objectives of water treatment to include, "remove suspended and floatable materials, remove inoganic matter such as nitrogen, phosphorus and toxic/heavy metals; remove biodegradable and non-biodegradable/toxic organic matter, eliminate pathogenic organisms in safeguard of human health; protect natural ecosystems/environment by letting out only safely treated wastewaters, aid natural treatment processes by accelerating the forces of nature under controled conditions in treatment facilities."

Osuide also listed the water treatment options to include physical treatment, chemical treatment comprising of coagulation, softening; flucculation, ion-exhange softening, and biological treatment options which includes tricking filtration, activated sludge and filtration.

The lecture also dwelt on the water treatment capability of the earthen clay pot used in the storage of water.

According to Osuide, "clay pot is not just a water keeping pot, it is also a water treatment pot. The clay pot provides a cool, palatable and wholesome water through the adsortive capacity of the clay material".

Professor Osuide who deplored the lack of National water policy in Nigeria, the decaying water facilities left by the colonial masters; said the water around the world is one adding that water does not obey administrative boundaries noting that, "The water which your wife or your mother will prepare soup for you in December may be the water that President Kim Jong Un of North Korea used in cleaning his arsenals of weapons and nuclear war heads which may be radioactive."

He therefore called for effective water management by all and sundry.

"At household and community levels, we must consciously avoid wastage of water; it is a finite resource. Households should seize the opportunity to harvest rain water. Industries should endeavour to continually prospect for newer technologies to reduce water use while intensifying capacity building on water recycling technology".

Welcoming guests to the inaugural lecture earlier, the Acting Vice - Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma Prof. Asomwan Sonnie Adagbonyin noted that the topic for the lecture is germane at this time in view of the invaluability of water to humankind. 

Prof. Adagbonyin who was also chairman on the occasion assured that the management of the university will continue to provide the enabling environment for academic staff to excel.

He congratulated Prof. Michael Osuide for joining the community of academic giants.

In attendance at the lecture were a former Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Daniel Aigbomian, Prof. Steve Okecha, Prof. C. E. Abhulimen, Bishop Matthew Okpebholo, the Acting Registrar, Ambrose Odiase, lecturers, students and members of the public.