Effects of Sewage Disposal Systems on The Environment in Public Housing Estates in Enugu Metropolis

Abstract

This study examines the effects of sewage disposal systems on the environment in Riverside Housing Estate, Abakpa in Enugu metropolis. The research method adopted for this study was survey method; questionnaire was developed, which consisted of 5-point Likert rating scale ranging from 1-5 in which respondents indicated the extent of their perception of listed variables.  The results showed the sewage disposal systems common in the estates are On-site system and Centralized system. The onsite system is gaining more importance in the estates as different from the centralized system which was initially planned in the estate. However, the systems are not without challenges resulting from choice of inept skill, improper siting, non- adherence to proper design concepts and lack of proper maintenance. These bring about negative environmental impacts ranging from ground water contamination, pollution of surface water bodies to contribution to global warming through the emission of green house gases.  From the survey, it was observed that the only problem with on-site system is the contamination of water gotten from hand dug wells in the estates owing to its proximity to onsite sanitary facilities and it is easier to maintain the on-site system than the centralized system. In the centralized system when there is blockage of the sewerage, the sewage flows out into people’s compounds and environment thereby polluting the water source (underground wells, which is common in the study area) and environment. The paper recommends that On-site system/septic tank should be encouraged with the design and construction supervised by an architect as well as located away from water source.