Author(s): Engdaye Mersha Weldemariam*, Sileshi Degefa
Dumping of pollutants into water body result in rapid deterioration of water quality and affect the ecological balance in the long run. Water is life without pollution, but death when it is polluted. The objective of this study is to conduct a literature review of industrial effluent on Surface water, Groundwater, and Soil quality in and around the Industrial area of Kombolcha town. The method used for this study is a review of academic journal articles, internet materials, textbooks, conference papers, project reports and publicly available materials. Kombolcha town is known for various industries like a brewery, steel iron, textile, and tannery have been installed near the Borkena River that crosses Kombolcha town, which comes under the Awash River basin. The town is one of the fast-developing and emerging leading industrial town in Ethiopia and is selected as an industrial zone by the government. Uncollected Industrial effluents are also a serious environmental hazard for all, especially in areas where agricultural land and groundwater are nearby. Industries use a large quantity of water and produce a huge amount of wastewater, which is generally discharged into a common effluent drain of industrial areas and farmland. Local farmers in the Borkena watershed use the wastewater to irrigate their agricultural fields for the cultivation of vegetables. Hence, they suffered from loss of productivity and skin injury because of their direct exposure to the wastewater during irrigation practices. Different Physico-chemical parameters were recorded by various researchers hence, groundwater samples of the kombolcha tow show excellent (20%), good (60%), and Marginal (20%). Heavy metal Evaluation depicts that, Lower Borkena river below effluent has more high concentration than the upper river catchment and it means the comparison of heavy metals concentration is increasing as the industrial effluent is increased. The findings showed metal concentrations in irrigation water are within the permissible limits of FAO/WHO standards and not significant for the time being, but the result of below the effluent showed that it is expected to be a challenge in the near future if not well addressed. This review may assist in the extended support to new researchers and developing strategies for policymakers for the sustainable management of water and soil resources in industrial land use patterns.
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