International Journal of Energy and Water Resources (2019) 3:269–276

https://doi.org/10.1007/s42108-019-00036-6

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Periodic determination of physicochemical and bacteriological

characteristics of wastewater effluents for possible reuse as irrigation
water
J. R. Adewumi1 · F. O. Ajibade1,2 

Received: 9 July 2019 / Accepted: 24 July 2019 / Published online: 3 August 2019
© Islamic Azad University (IAU) 2019

Abstract
A comprehensive understanding of wastewater characteristics is vital in the design and operation of collection, treatment,
and disposal facilities and the engineering management of environmental quality. Municipal wastewater generated from
the Federal University of Technology, Akure and discharged untreated was determined for feasible irrigation reuse. In this
study, physicochemical (odour, temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids, suspended solids, total hardness, pH, alkalinity,
chlorides, nitrates, and phosphates) and bacteriological parameters (total bacterial count and total coliform) of wastewater
were examined. The maximum value (1408 mg/L) of the total dissolved solids was found in the sample collected from
Akindeko hall in the evening and the pH values ranges between 7.09 and 8.41. Maximum nitrate is 58.2 mg/L in the sam-
ple collected from Abiola hostel, phosphate is 43.4 mg/L in Akindeko hostel, and chloride is 243.2 mg/L in Abiola hostel.
The total bacterial count and total coliform count range from 93.67 to 148.33 mg/L and 115.33 to 136 mg/L. The findings
of the study conclude that the wastewater quality of the university’s halls of residence was above the standard value of the
United States Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for irrigation reuse when compared. This implies that its usage
for irrigation without treatment should be prohibited, since it adversely affects the soil’s properties and releases hazardous
substances to the environment. It is, therefore, recommended that a sustainable treatment system be provided to adequately
treat all wastewater generated from the university and prevent extra expenses for soil treatment while reutilize for irrigation
to supplement natural rainfall for agricultural purposes.

Keywords  Water · Wastewater · Wastewater reuse · Irrigation · Environment

Introduction or kitchen greywater) and is influenced by different plumb-

Wastewater characterization is now regarded as an essen-
tial step yielding all the necessary information for a relia-
ble modelling and design of biological treatment processes
for the reuse of wastewater to compensate for the shortage
and scarcity of water. The composition of wastewater var-
ies greatly according to its origin (i.e., bathroom, laundry,
* F. O. Ajibade
foajibade@futa.edu.ng
J. R. Adewumi
jradewumi@futa.edu.ng
1
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Federal University of Technology Akure, Akure, Nigeria
2
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing,
China
ing fixtures (shower, dishwasher, kitchen sink, etc.). The
source not only generates different amounts of wastewa-
ter, but also different pollutant sources and loads (Friedler
2004; Muhirwa et al. 2018; Chys et al. 2018). Wastewa-
ter/water characteristics play an important role when they
are evaluated for the possibility of reuse, including the
need for treatment (Ajibade et al. 2014a, b; Braga and
Varesche 2014; Ilori et al. 2019). The effects of untreated
or poorly treated wastewater can be detrimental to public
health, the environment, and the economy. If implemented
under uncontrolled or unregulated circumstances, poorly
treated wastewater can be harmful to lives (if ingested
directly or through irrigated crops) and irrigated soil (due
to the chemicals and potential bacteria within the effluent)
(Adewumi et al. 2010; Shakir et al. 2017; Libutti et al.
2018). Public health aspects, especially the presence of
xenobiotic organic compounds and heavy metals, must be

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270
taken into account (Eriksson and Donner 2009; Mahmood
and Malik 2014; Balkhair and Ashraf 2016; Alghobar and
Suresha 2017; Chaoua et al. 2018; Gatta et al. 2018). Land
and water have been subjected to maximum exploitation
and severely degraded or polluted due to anthropogenic
activities. The pollution includes point sources such as
emission, effluents and solid discharge from industries,
vehicle exhaustion and metals from smelting and mining,
and nonpoint sources such as soluble salts (natural and
artificial), use of agrochemicals, disposal of industrial and
municipal wastes in agriculture, and others (Zakir et al.
2008; Ajibade et al. 2014a, b; Adewumi and Ajibade 2015;
Chaoua et al. 2018). Although some chemicals or heavy
metals, such as Cu and Zn, have known to function as
micronutrients in plants (Sharma et al. 2006; Chys et al.
2018; Chaoua et al. 2018; Gatta et al. 2018). However,
they can become toxic at high levels if not properly con-
trolled (Pandey 2008; Sika et al. 2016; Shakir et al. 2017).
Reuse of domestic wastewater for irrigation purposes has
gained prominence in recent time especially in the arid
and semi-arid regions (El Moussaoui et al. 2019; Frascari
et al. 2018; Villamar et al. 2018; Khan et al. 2019). Based
on the above facts that contaminated water is mainly used
for irrigation purpose as a result of water scarceness, the
present study was conducted to evaluate the physicochemi-
cal and bacteriological parameters of wastewater gener-
ated in the students’ hostels at the Federal University of
Technology Akure, Nigeria (from June to July, 2018) by
Fig. 1  Map of Nigeria showing Ondo state
13
International Journal of Energy and Water Resources (2019) 3:269–276
comparing wastewater quality properties with the USEPA
standard for wastewater reuse and proposed a sustainable
approach to its reuse.
Materials and methods
Description of the study area
Two halls of residence were selected for the study specifi-
cally Akindeko and Abiola hostels. They are both within the
premises of the Federal University of Technology, Akure,
Ondo State, Nigeria. Akure is a city in the south-western
Nigeria, and is the capital of Ondo State which lies within
latitude 7.15°E–7.25°E and longitude 5.11°N–5.19°E
(Figs. 1, 2). Akure has a tropical humid climate with two
distinct seasons, a relatively dry season from November
to March and a rainy season from April to October (Akin-
bile et al. 2016a). Akure is about 370 m above sea level.
The average yearly temperature is 24 °C–27 °C, whereas
the yearly rainfall fluctuates between 1500 and 3500 mm
(Ajibade and Adewumi 2017). Akure is an area of about
2303 km2 situated within the western upland area with a
population of about 387,087. Topographically, Akure is
composed of lowlands and rugged hills with granitic out-
crops in several places (Ajibade 2013). The soil is made
up of ferruginous tropical soils. Crystalline acid rocks con-
stitute the main parent material of these soils. The main
International Journal of Energy and Water Resources (2019) 3:269–276 271
Fig. 2  FUTA map showing Akindeko and Abiola halls of residence
features include a sandy surface horizon underlain by a
weakly developed clayey, mottled and occasionally concre-
tionary sub-soil. The soil is, however, sensitive to erosion
and occasional waterlogging as a result of the clay sub-soil
(Akinbile et al. 2016b, c). The soil can support the growing
of yams, cassava, and corn in large quantity that is economi-
cally viable.
Wastewater samples’ analysis
Wastewater samples were singly collected from the two hos-
tels into distinct sampling bottles of 100 cl capacity each.
The sampling bottles were properly cleaned and sterilized
before taking the samples. The bottles were tightly closed
by stopper as soon, as they are filled up. The contained
wastewater samples were shielded with cellophane bags to
prevent further contaminations. They were thereafter kept
in a cool dry place before taken to the Central Postgradu-
ate Research Laboratory, Federal University of Technology
Akure (FUTA) for examination. This sampling was carried
out according to the standard procedure provided by the US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Simpson 2017).
The following wastewater parameters were determined
in accordance with standard methods for the examination
of water and wastewater (APHA 2012); appearance/col-
our, odour, temperature, pH, turbidity, conductivity, total
dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS),
total hardness ­CaCO3, calcium hardness ­CaCO3, magne-
sium hardness C ­ aCO3, nitrate (­ NO3), iron (Fe), alkalin-
ity, phosphate (­ PO 4), manganese(Mn), calcium(Ca 2+),
magnesium ­( Mg 2+), chloride ­( Cl −), sodium (Na), sul-
phate ­( SO 42−), total bacterial count, and total coliform.
Analyses of odour and colour were done by visual inspec-
tion. TDS was measured using portable combine elec-
trical conductivity/TDS/temperature meter (HM Digital
COM-100) after standardizing with 342  ppm sodium
chloride calibration solution before the different samples
were tested in regular order. Turbidity of the sample was
determined using 6850 UV Spectrophotometer at 420 μm,
while the pH of the samples was recorded using ELICO
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272 International Journal of Energy and Water Resources (2019) 3:269–276

LI 127 pH meter. TSS was measured using JARCH DR Statistical analysis

2000 direct reading spectrophotometer methods 8006
after estimating against deionized water as blank at a
wavelength of 810 nm. Atomic absorption spectrometer
was employed for the analysis of metals. The samples
were digested using the standard method (APHA 2012) to
obtain free metal ions and minimize interference. Briefly,
100 mL of wastewater sample and 5 mL of nitric acid
were introduced into digestion tubes. The digestion tubes
were positioned in a digester until the light colour of the
sample and clear solution was acquired (3030E Nitric
Acid Digestion). Then, digested samples were filtered
and preserved in sampling bottles for subsequent analy-
sis. Wastewater samples were analysed to enumerate the
list of the bacteria following the method of Libutti et al.
(2018), which are vital indicators of pollution (Tallon
et al. 2005; Pourcher et al. 2007).
The results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis
using the SPSS software package version 20.0. All experi-
ments were carried out in triplicates. Differences in the mean
were separated using the new Duncan multiple range test
and a significance level of P < 0.05 used to determine sig-
nificance. In addition, paired-sample T test was used and the
significance level, and α of (P < 0.05) was used to compare
the wastewater quality parameters with the USEPA guide-
lines for water reuse.
Results and discussion
The laboratory tests performed on the wastewater samples
from the study area are presented in Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4.
The wastewater samples obtained from the two halls of
residence are irritating with obnoxious odour. The pH values

Table 1  Wastewater quality and USEPA guidelines for water reuse

S/no. Parameters Unit Akindeko hostel Abiola hostel
USEPA (2004) Morning Afternoon Evening Morning Afternoon Evening

1 Appearance/colour Clear NL Brownish Brownish Milky Brownish Milky Brownish

2 Odour Unobj. Irritating Irritating Irritating Irritating Irritating Irritating
3 Temperature °C 26.4 26.3 26.2 26.5 26.5 26.3
4 pH 6.0–9.0 h 8.32 7.85 8.41 7.09 7.32 8.09
5 Turbidity NTU NL 371 255 238 272 310 330
6 Conductivity µs/cm 900 1080 1260 1000 960 1260
7 Total dissolved solid mg/L 1000f* 1187 1277 1408 1359 1386 1288
8 Total hardness ­CaCO3 mg/L NL 218 254 290 192 328 236
9 Calcium hardness ­CaCO3 mg/L N/A 56.0 78.0 86.0 96.0 64.0 72.0
10 Magnesium hardness C ­ aCO3 mg/L N/A 72.0 90.0 104 96.0 84.0 94.0
11 Nitrate ­(NO3) mg/L N/A 38.7 49.6 52.1 35.0 46.6 58.2
12 Iron (Fe) mg/L 5f 2.54 2.91 3.05 2.87 3.18 2.97
13 Alkalinity mg/L N/A 96.0 80.0 102.0 110.0 95.0 104.0
14 Phosphate ­(PO4) mg/L N/A 38.0 43.4 34.5 29.7 29.3 21.1
15 Manganese (Mn) mg/L 0.2f 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.03
16 Calcium ­(Ca2+) mg/L N/A 22.4 31.3 34.5 28.9 25.7 28.9
17 Magnesium ­(Mg2+) mg/L N/A 19.37 16.1 25.4 23.4 15.6 15.9
18 Chloride ­(Cl−) mg/L 100g* 242.9 214 236.9 202 243.2 227.9
19 Sodium (Na) mg/L 70g 28.0 33.0 24.1 66.3 27.9 18.2
20 Sulphate ­(SO4) mg/L N/A 332.0 344.0 329.0 331.0 327.0 359.0
21 Total suspended solid mg/L 30 h 795 864 762 741 674 592
22 Total bacterial count × 103 Cfu/mL N/A 93.67 95.67 94.54 114.33 134.65 148.33
23 Total coliform × 103 Cfu/mL 200 Ave; 800 Max h* 115.33 128.00 125.67 121.76 131.42 136.00

NL, NTU, N/A, Unobj, Ave, Max, and cfu stand for no limit, nephelometric turbidity unit, unobjectionable, average, maximum, and coliform
forming unit respectively
f* Adapted from recommended limits for irrigation (USEPA)
g* Adapted from quality of water for irrigation
h* Adapted from suggested guidelines for restricted access irrigation (USEPA)

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 Table 2  Statistical analysis of the chemical and bacteriological wastewater quality parameter using Duncan
Period Parameter
Calcium Mg Chloride Sodium Sulphate Nitrate Iron Phosphate Mn TC (× 10−3) TBC (× 10−3)

Akindeko morning 22.42 ± 0.01a 19.39 ± 0.01d 242.92 ± 0.01e 28.05 ± 0.03d 332.02 ± 0.57b 38.93 ± 0.15b 2.58 ± 0.02a 38.68 ± 0.34d 0.02 ± 0.00a 115.33 ± 3.18a 93.67 ± 0.88a
c
Akindeko afternoon 31.33 ± 0.01d 16.12 ± 0.01c 214.08 ± 0.07b 33.03 ± 0.02e 344.05 ± 0.03c 49.66 ± 0.05d 2.93 ± 0.01b 43.47 ± 0.04e 0.02 ± 0.00a 128.00 ± 1.73 95.67 ± 0.88a
bc
Akindeko evening 34.52 ± 0.01e 25.41 ± 0.09f 236.92 ± 0.01d 24.12 ± 0.01b 329.03 ± 0.01a 52.16 ± 0.03e 3.08 ± 0.02d 34.55 ± 0.03c 0.02 ± 0.00a 125.67 ± 2.33 94.54 ± 0.33a
b
Abiola morning 28.92 ± 0.01c 23.41 ± 0.09e 202.03 ± 0.02a 66.34 ± 0.03f 331.05 ± 0.03b 35.07 ± 0.04a 2.89 ± 0.01b 29.73 ± 0.03b 0.03 ± 0.00a 121.76 ± 1.20 114.33 ± 1.20b
cd
Abiola afternoon 25.71 ± 0.06b 15.63 ± 0.02a 243.26 ± 0.03f 27.91 ± 0.02c 328.02 ± 0.58a 46.62 ± 0.02c 3.20 ± 0.01e 29.32 ± 0.01b 0.02 ± 0.00a 131.42 ± 0.67 134.65 ± 0.88c
d
Abiola evening 28.92 ± 0.01c 15.91 ± 0.01b 227.92 ± 0.01c 18.21 ± 0.01a 360.35 ± 0.67d 58.23 ± 0.02f 2.98 ± 0.01c 21.16 ± 0.03a 0.03 ± 0.00a 136.00 ± 0.58 148.33 ± 1.85d

Mg, Mn, TC, and TBC stand for magnesium, manganese, total coliform, and total bacterial count, respectively. Data are presented as mean ± standard error (n = 3). Values with the same super-
script letter(s) along the same column are not significantly different (P < 0.05). The samples were termed with the name of the hall of residence and the period of sampling for easy differentia-
tion such as Akindeko morning
International Journal of Energy and Water Resources (2019) 3:269–276

Table 3  Statistical analysis of the physical wastewater quality parameter using Duncan

Period Parameter
pH Alkalinity Temp. Turbidity (× 102) Conductivity TDS (× 103) TSS Total hardness Calcium hardness Mg hardness
(× 102) (× 102)

Akindeko morning 8.33 ± 0.01e 96.18 ± 0.09b 26.4 ± 0.01a 3.73 ± 1.20f 9.08 ± 4.41a 1.19 ± 1.45a 795.34 ± 0.33e 2.20 ± 1.15b 58.33 ± 1.45a 73.00 ± 0.58a
Akindeko after- 7.83 ± 0.01c 80.32 ± 0.33a 30.28 ± 0.03c 2.58 ± 1.76b 10.8 ± 1.45d 1.28 ± 0.67b 865.01 ± 0.59f 2.57 ± 2.02d 77.00 ± 0.58d 89.67 ± 0.88c
noon
Akindeko evening 8.42 ± 0.01f 104.33 ± 1.20c 28.51 ± 0.01b 2.38 ± 0.88a 12.63 ± 1.73e 1.41 ± 0.58f 762.36 ± 0.34d 2.92 ± 1.15e 84.67 ± 0.67e 105.33 ± 0.88f
Abiola morning 7.09 ± 0.01a 111.67 ± 0.88d 26.50 ± 0.11a 2.72 ± 1.15c 10.37 ± 3.79c 1.36 ± 1.15d 741.05 ± 0.03c 1.90 ± 0.88a 95.67 ± 0.88f 96.67 ± 0.67e
Abiola afternoon 7.32 ± 0.06b 97.00 ± 1.15b 30.34 ± 0.21c 3.13 ± 1.45d 9.63 ± 1.73b 1.39 ± 0.58e 674.05 ± 0.03b 3.30 ± 0.88f 65.00 ± 0.58b 85.33 ± 0.67b
Abiola evening 8.10 ± 0.01d 104.33 ± 0.88c 28.40 ± 0.38b 3.32 ± 1.45e 1.26 ± 2.18e 1.29 ± 1.15c 592.02 ± 0.01a 2.39 ± 1.76c 70.00 ± 1.15c 93.67 ± 0.33d

Mg hardness, Temp., TDS, and TSS stand for magnesium hardness, temperature, total dissolved solids, and total suspended solids, respectively. Data are presented as mean ± standard error
(n = 3). Values with the same superscript letter(s) along the same column are not significantly different (P < 0.05). The samples were termed with the name of the hall of residence and the period
of sampling for easy differentiation such as Akindeko morning

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Table 4  Statistical analysis of wastewater quality parameters with USEPA guidelines using paired-sample T test
Mean Standard deviation
Pair 1 USEPA–Akindeko morning − 154.40238 253.46063
Pair 2 USEPA–Akindeko afternoon − 169.04524 286.50882
Pair 3 USEPA–Akindeko evening − 182.10429 309.23705
Pair 4 USEPA–Abiola morning − 163.55619 260.49076
Pair 5 USEPA–Abiola afternoon − 166.62810 253.23225
Pair 6 USEPA–Abiola evening − 171.74857 294.59540
are alkaline for the different periods and are significantly dif-
ferent (Table 3). The temperature values obtained for the two
halls of residence in the morning, afternoon, and evening
periods are not significantly different. Their conductivities
are significantly different except for the samples obtained in
the evening time for the two halls of residence that have no
significant difference. Total hardness, total dissolved solids,
and calcium hardness are also significantly different.
The values obtained for total coliform in all the study area
are significantly different (P < 0.05). Akindeko’s wastewater
sampled in the morning period has the lowest number of
coliform, while those obtained at Abiola hall of residence
in the evening has the highest number of coliform (Table 2).
The values of total coliform obtained for Akindeko hall of
residence in the afternoon, evening, and in the evening
period at Abiola are not significantly different (P < 0.05).
The calcium contents in all the study area are significantly
different for all periods except for the sample obtained from
Abiola hostel in the morning and evening periods that are
not significantly different (P < 0.05). The magnesium, chlo-
ride, sodium, total suspended solids, magnesium hardness,
and nitrate contents for all samples obtained from the two
halls of residence are significantly different. The sulphate
obtained in the morning period at Akindeko and Abiola has
no significant difference which was also the situation of sam-
ples obtained at Akindeko and Abiola hostels in the evening
and afternoon periods, respectively (Table 3). The total bac-
terial count for all the samples obtained from Akindeko has
no significant difference, while those of Abiola hostel are
significantly different. The iron content for the afternoon and
morning periods, respectively, at Akindeko and Abiola hos-
tels is not significantly different. The alkalinity obtained for
Akindeko hostel in the morning does not significantly differ
from that of Abiola’s wastewater sampled in the afternoon.
The phosphate content sampled at Abiola hostel during the
morning and afternoon times has no significant difference.
The manganese is not significantly different (Table 3).
The paired-sample T test used (Table 4) to compare the
wastewater quality parameters for different sampling peri-
ods (morning, afternoon, and evening) from Akindeko and
Abiola hostels with the USEPA guidelines for water reuse
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International Journal of Energy and Water Resources (2019) 3:269–276
Standard error mean T df Significance (two-
tailed) (P value)
55.30964 − 2.792 20 0.011
62.52135 − 2.704 20 0.014
67.48106 − 2.699 20 0.014
56.84374 − 2.877 20 0.009
55.25981 − 3.015 20 0.007
64.28599 − 2.672 20 0.015
specifically for recommended limits for irrigation, quality of
water for irrigation and suggested guidelines for restricted
access irrigation show that there is a statistically significant
difference between the mean parameters of the samples
obtained from two halls of residence and the USEPA stand-
ard. From Table 2, pair 1 implies that comparing USEPA
standard and the wastewater quality parameters obtained at
Akindeko hall of residence in the morning, the P value of
0.011 indicates that there is a statistical difference between
the USEPA standard and the values obtained from the sam-
ples collected at Akindeko in the morning which applies to
other pairs on Table 2 representing 98.9% certainty. This can
further buttress that the wastewater samples obtained from
the two halls of residence cannot be reused directly for the
purpose of irrigation without treatment to the level of the
USEPA standard before it can be employed for irrigation
purpose.
The estimate of the volume of wastewater
generated in all halls of residence in FUTA
and sustainable treatment approach
Table 5 illustrates the estimate of the volume of wastewa-
ter generated from all students’ halls of residence in the
University.
Table 5 reveals that the total volume of wastewater gener-
ated daily in all halls of residence at the Federal University
of Technology, Akure is approximately 24 m3. This volume
is very high when compared to what natural environment
can assimilate without treatment. To further buttress this
point, Adewumi and Ajibade (2015) conducted research on
the pollution effects of indiscriminate disposal of wastewater
on the soil of Akindeko and Abiola halls of residence. The
results showed that all the physicochemical and bacteriologi-
cal properties of the soils have relatively high concentration.
This indicates gradual and continuous pollution of the sur-
rounding soils. In addition, in an attempt to develop a sus-
tainable approach to the treatment of wastewater from these
halls of residence, Ajibade and Adewumi (2017) evaluated
the phytoremediation potential of three aquatic macrophytes
[Commelina cyanea, Phragmites australis, and Eichhornia
International Journal of Energy and Water Resources (2019) 3:269–276 275

Table 5  Volume of wastewater S/no. Name of hall of residence No. of occu- Occupants Volume of wastewater
generated in occupied FUTA pants generated* (Litres)
halls of residence
1 Akindeko 624 Male 73,195.20
2 Abiola 328 Male 38,474.40
3 Adeniyi 192 Male 22,521.60
4 Jibowu 332 Female 38,943.60
5 Jibowu annex 1 80 Female 9384.00
6 Jibowu annex 2 80 Female 9384.00
7 Jibowu annex 3 80 Female 9384.00
8 Jadesola 225 Female 26,392.50
9 Postgraduate 108 Combined 12,668.40
Total daily wastewater generated 240,347.70 (24.034 m3)

*This is based on average water consumption of 120 litre/capita/day and 85% of water as wastewater
(Ajibade et al. 2014a)
*It was assumed that 30% of the legal occupants are visitors and squatters who used water at an average
consumption of 60 litre/capita/day while 85% of water as wastewater
*Volume of wastewater = (no. of occupants × 120 × 0.85) + (no. of occupants × 0.3 × 60 × 0.85)

crassipes (Water Hyacinth)]. The results showed substantial
reductions in all pollutant parameters tested. The three plants
effectively removed indicating pollutants below the accept-
able standard for disposal and reuse.
With the completion of new halls of residence for under-
graduates (200-bed space for both male and female students)
and postgraduate students (150-bed space) under the Federal
Government of Nigeria National Economic Empowerment
and Development Strategy (NEEDS) Assessment Interven-
tion projects, the population of students generating waste-
water on campus will increase by over 600 students. This
will further put more pressure on the environment if proper
treatment and reuse of generated wastewater are not well
planned for.
three aquatic macrophytes tested by Ajibade and Adewumi
(2017), it is recommended that an earnest pilot scale project
should be carried out to confirm the feasibility and verisi-
militude of these studies.
Acknowledgements  The authors acknowledge the management of
Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria for their technical
support. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding
agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Compliance with ethical standards 
Conflict of interest  The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Conclusions
From this study, it can be deduced that the wastewater gen-
erated from the two halls of residence studied had no con-
sistent characteristics and the content of the studied param-
eters varied from different periods (morning, afternoon,
and evening) in a day. However, the vast majority of these
parameters was above the USEPA recommended standards,
as a result, limiting the direct reuse of generated wastewater
for irrigation. The results of the previous researches car-
ried out indicate gradual and continuous pollution of the
surrounding soils by indiscriminate disposal of wastewater
as well as the phytoremediation potential of three aquatic
macrophytes [Commelina cyanea, Phragmites australis, and
Eichhornia crassipes (Water Hyacinth)] to treat the waste-
water to acceptable quality for reuse or safe disposal. With
the availability of large sparse of arable land close to these
halls of residence and the phytoremediation potential of
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