Mudau, Takalani Cicilia2025-09-172025-09-172025https://hdl.handle.net/10566/20935This thesis reports the research work undertaken to evaluate the effects of Wastewater Treatment Works discharges on surface water quality in Emalahleni Local Municipality (ELM), Mpumalanga Province. Ferrobank and Riverview Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTWs) were identified for the research study. The study concentrated on assessing surface water quality by identifying the impact differences in water quality at the upstream and downstream sites of each WWTW effluent discharge point. The following physio-chemical and microbial water quality parameters (temperature, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, phosphate, ammonia, nitrate, chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids and Escherichia coli) were assessed. The water quality results were compared to the water use licence conditions for Ferrobank WWTW and the general limit values applicable to wastewater discharge into a water resource for Riverview WWTW respectively. The impact of these WWTWs was also assessed on the groundwater through one identified private borehole located within the vicinity of each WWTW mainly to identify any potential risk to the hydrogeological environment of the study area.enWastewater Treatment WorksEmalahleniWater QualityGroundwaterHydrogeological EnvironmentThesis