Assessment of Effluent Quality from a Beverage Factory’s Wastewater Treatment Plant Using Aloe Vera as a Natural Coagulant

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Aloe Vera as a natural coagulant in improving the quality of effluent from the wastewater treatment plant of a beverage factory. The justification for this research is rooted in the need for environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternatives to conventional chemical coagulants like alum, which may have adverse ecological impacts. By assessing Aloe Vera’s potential in reducing impurities and optimizing treatment processes, the study seeks to improve wastewater management practices while ensuring compliance with national and international discharge standards.
This was achieved by collecting wastewater samples from the Seven-Up Bottling Company in Oluku, Benin City. Standard laboratory techniques were employed to analyze key water quality parameters such as pH, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), turbidity, nitrates, and phosphorus before and after treatment. A jar test was conducted to determine the optimal dosage and coagulation efficiency of Aloe Vera compared to alum. The study followed the American Public Health Association (APHA) protocols for water and wastewater analysis, ensuring reliability and accuracy in results.
Results indicated that while Aloe Vera demonstrated moderate effectiveness in reducing turbidity (40.32%) and COD (79.26%), it was significantly outperformed by alum, which achieved a (97.89%) turbidity removal rate and (88.89%) COD reduction. Both coagulants had limited impact on nitrates and phosphorus, suggesting the need for complementary treatment methods. Based on these findings, the study recommends integrating Aloe Vera with chemical coagulants to enhance treatment efficiency and exploring further research on optimizing its application in industrial wastewater treatment.