Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies: Assessment and Optimisation at a Beverage Company in Oyo State, South West Nigeria

Effective industrial wastewater treatment is both an environmental regulatory obligation and a financial imperative for beverage manufacturing companies in Nigeria, where enforcement of discharge standards has intensified in recent years. This study assesses the performance of existing wastewater treatment systems at a beverage production facility in Oyo State, South West Nigeria, and identifies optimisation opportunities. Influent and effluent wastewater samples are collected from primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment stages over eight consecutive weeks. Physicochemical parameters including biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, pH, oil and grease, and total nitrogen are measured at each stage to calculate treatment efficiencies. Process flow data, chemical dosing rates, and energy consumption records are reviewed to assess operational cost effectiveness. Treatment performance is benchmarked against National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency discharge limits and international brewing and beverage industry wastewater standards. Deficiencies in the biological treatment aeration system and sludge dewatering operations are identified through a combination of performance data analysis and process audit observations. An optimisation strategy is developed incorporating recommendations for aeration rate adjustment, sludge management improvement, and coagulant dosage optimisation. The study also examines the feasibility of water recycling within the treatment system to reduce freshwater withdrawal. Findings directly support the company's environmental management system improvement and compliance reporting. Keywords: wastewater treatment, beverage industry, Oyo State, biochemical oxygen demand, process optimisation