Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the water and noise quality of the Tamale Abattoir to evaluate their effects on the environment. The abattoir is located in Tamale, the regional capital of the Northern Region of Ghana. Data on noise quality was taken using the Integrated Noise Level Meter at five different locations. The results of maximum and minimum noise levels generated at the abattoir were 95.4 and 60.4 dB(A), respectively, which exceeded EPA’s (Environmental Protection Agency) standard of 70 and 60 dB(A), respectively. Generally the influent met the recommended standard for treated water quality except for faecal and total coliform counts of 36 and 84 CFU, respectively, instead of 0 CFU recommended by EPA. The effluent was highly polluted and did not meet the set standards for effluent discharges into the environment. The extremely high levels of BOD (3300 mg/L) and low dissolved oxygen (0 mg/L) were strong indications of high organic pollution in the effluent. Effluent faecal coliforms level of 450,000/100 ml and total coliforms of 550,000/100 ml were recorded. Residents of the community where the abattoir is located complained about bad odour, pollution of their water source (dam) from the effluents and the outbreak of maggots, flies and diseases such as malaria, typhoid, dysentery and diarrhea.

Key words: Abattoir, water quality, coliforms, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), noise quality, environment.