Effect of industrial effluent discharges of rabak cement factory on the microbial loads and water characteristics of the white Nile-Sudan

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of waste effluents of Rabak Cement Factory on the physiochemical and microbiological properties of the White Nile waters. The study was conducted during the period from April 2017 to April 2018. Samples were taken at different points before and after the point of discharging factory waste (500 meters before discharging and 500 1000, 1500 and 2000 meters after emptying). Standard physiochemical and microbiological analysis methods were used. The results showed high salinity, especially nitrates (5.07 mg / litre), ammonia (0.59 mg / litre), phosphates (0.68 mg / litre), carbonate (6.13 mg / litre) and bicarbonates (265.44 mg / litre). Microbiological analyses showed that the total living number of bacteria was higher in December 2017, as it reached 3,5 x 105 colony-forming units / mm, and 3,8 x 105 colony-forming units / ml, respectively. In addition, large numbers of coliform bacteria and faecal stools, along with salmonella and coliform bacteria, were recorded at the discharge points in numbers that are difficult to reconcile with the internationally and locally permitted standards for drinking water. The presence of these bacteria (coliform bacteria, faecal stools, and salmonella) in factory wastes and emptying points does not guarantee acceptable levels of sterilization for this water.