A SURVEY OF PERCEPTION OF WASTEWATER REUSE IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA: AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY AS A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Going by the long history of wastewater reuse in many parts of the world, there is a high level of skepticism
associated with the safety wastewater reuse mainly because of the quality for intended and desired need of reclaimed
wastewater uses. Undoubtedly, the reuse of treated wastewater is particularly attractive in arid climates including Africa
which is been faced with demand growth as well as water stress conditions. Unfortunately, there is limited research on the
use of reclaimed wastewater in Nigeria. This study aims to investigate the perception and acceptance towards reclaimed
wastewater within Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) community, Nigeria. A three-part questionnaire, designed to
collect demographic data, awareness about treated wastewater quality (physical, chemical and biological), and information
about the Community's willingness to reuse reclaimed wastewater, was distributed among 240 ABUAD residents out of
which only 152 was completely filled and returned. The response rate is 63%. The specific needs and purposes of reclaimed
wastewater uses identified in this study include artificial wetland creation; irrigate agricultural crops, swimming, bathing,
cleaning and laundry, car wash, flush toilet, and landscape irrigation.The results of this study shows that most respondents
had little knowledge about the chemical quality (7.9%), or microbial quality(11.3%) of the ABUAD wastewater treatment
plant effluent. The maximum acceptance was related to flushing toilet (85.2%), as well as landscape irrigation (79.3%),
respectively. The minimum acceptance was related to swimming (9%) and taking bath (11.4%).This study suggests that
advertisements in the media, public workshops, and establishment of information campaigns should be embarked upon to
increase public awareness. increase support and the likelihood of successful implementation of reclaimed wastewater reuse
projects