Determination of Helminths in Wastewater and Vegetable Irrigated in Kawo Irrigation Farm of Kaduna State

Abstract

The research is to investigate Helminths for the untreated municipal wastewater and vegetables produced in the Kawo abattoir irrigation farm. The location lies between latitude 100 34' 40.8'' E and longitude 070 26'39.1'' N of Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Abattoir and municipal wastewater confluence at a point where farmers get the wastewater for irrigation, not minding the health implication involve. The wastewater sample was collected from three different points designated as WW01, WW02, WW03, and WW04. The samples were analyzed for Helminths in the wastewater and fresh vegetable produce. The following Helminths were discovered, (i) Ova of Fasciolopsis buski, (ii) Segment of Tapeworm (Tania saginata), (iii) Cyst of Entamoeba histolytica (iv) Ova of Ascaris lumbricoid were found and above the recommended guidelines of which specify <1 nematode egg per liter of wastewater. This study observed that untreated wastewater used for irrigation at the study site contains hazardous Helminths. This practice can be dangerous to consumers and life-threatening to farm workers due to direct constant physical contact with the wastewater. It recommended that farmers should practice the use of stabilization ponds (aerobic, facultative, and maturation) before using the water for irrigation, adoption of safer irrigation methods such as drip or sub-surface irrigation to minimize contact of crops with contaminants present in irrigation water, and farmers around the study site should make use of personal protective equipment such as gloves, boots, trousers, and long sleeve shirts during farm work to reduce the level of exposure.