Comparison of the Effectiveness of Alum, Chlorine, Sodium Hypochlorite and Moringa’s Seeds in Reducing Bacterial Loads in the Treatment of Restaurant Wastewater

Abstract

The effectiveness of different wastewater-treating agents were individually analysed and compared to one another in reducing bacterial counts (total bacterial and total coliform counts) during the treatment of restaurant wastewater. These agents include alum, chlorine, sodium hypochlorite and seeds of Moringa oleifera. Wastewater samples were collected at interval and analysed for bacteriological and physiochemical properties. Bacteriological analyses include total bacterial and coliform counts, while physiochemical analyses include pH, total titratable acidity (TTA), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total hardness, alkalinity and mineral components. Moringa oleifera seeds, was found to be very effective as a sedimentation agent, but least effective in reducing bacterial counts. Also, it was discovered that the seeds of M. oleifera aid the increase in the bacterial population. Alum, a non-bactericidal, sedimentation agent, was found to reduce total bacterial and coliform counts mainly by the use of flocculation. Chlorine was found to be bactericidal against all bacteria except Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while sodium hypochlorite was found to be most effective in reducing bacterial growth during the study.