Upsurge in domestic sewage generation - a growing urban environmental management crisis in Port harcourt, Nigeria

This study examined contemporary urban environmental management crises with focus on increasing rates of domestic sewage generation in Port Harcourt. It adopted the use of cross – sectional research design where both primary and secondary data were used. The primary data were generated through the use of field observations, oral interviews and 5005 copies of questionnaire administered in ten stratified randomly selected areas. Ten research assistants were used for data collection in each zone. Six research questions and six specific objectives guided the study. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed high rate of sewage generation in the city which is spatially defined in line with population densities of the various segments of the city. Three principal sites are used for indiscriminate sewage disposal activities– mostly into creeks at Iwofe (Mini-kpiti)–Rumuolumeni; Amadi-Ama Creek; and into burrow-pits at Igbo– Etche area. The indiscriminate disposal of sewage in the urban environment is causing serious social and environmental challenges such as pollution of water resources, soil and food crops; environmental foul odours and eye-scores; spread of pathogens which cause sicknesses and sudden deaths. The authors concluded by recommending proper treatment of sewage before evacuation, enactment and implementation of good laws, immediate closure of all illegal dump sites and designation of well supervised and coordinated disposal sites.