Impact of Releasing Wastewater of Sugar Industries into Drainage System of LBOD, Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

Sugar factories are supporting national economy as these are playing key role for development of socio-economic sectors of a country. The main product of Sugar industries is white sugar and by products are alcohol, ethanol, liquid carbon dioxide and household textiles. However, industries are generating effluents during cane crushing and distillery operation; which is hazardous, damaging and degrading the environmental eco-system. Sugar industries were established in the catchment area of Left bank outfall drain (LBOD) system. The untreated effluent generated from these Sugar mills is released into drainage system through network of LBOD system in lower part of Sindh province of Pakistan. The effluent generated is mostly organic having small quantum of in-organic material. Estimated wastes are Sulphur dioxide, hydrochloric acid, lead, fly-ash and dust, plant and workforce sewage, process waste which comprised of bagass, molasses, filter mud and grease oil from various sources of plant. The pollution level of effluents was evaluated against the National Environmental quality standard (NEQS) recommended level as well as with World Health Organization (WHO) level.