WASTEWATER QUALITY ANALYSIS AT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT INSTALLATION OF UNHAS HOSPITAL, MAKASSAR CITY

Abstract

Hospital wastewater contains a complex mixture of organic pollutants, suspended solids, pathogenic microorganisms, pharmaceutical residues, and hazardous substances that may threaten environmental quality and public health if discharged without adequate treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) at Hasanuddin University Hospital, Makassar, Indonesia, by assessing the quality of treated wastewater based on selected physicochemical and microbiological parameters. A quantitative descriptive approach was employed through direct sampling at the WWTP between November 2025 and January 2026. Grab sampling was conducted at the influent and effluent points, while laboratory analyses measured total suspended solids (TSS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, cadmium (Cd), and total coliform following APHA standard methods. The results demonstrated that the WWTP effectively reduced pollutant concentrations, with removal efficiencies of 96.36% for TSS, 81.58% for BOD, 83.71% for COD, 66.67% for Cd, and 99.35% for total coliform. The effluent pH remained stable within the neutral range, supporting effective biological treatment and compliance with environmental quality standards. These findings indicate that the integrated physical, biological, and chemical treatment processes operated efficiently in reducing pollutant loads before wastewater discharge. Continuous operational monitoring, routine maintenance, and optimization of treatment processes are recommended to ensure long-term treatment performance and support environmentally sustainable hospital wastewater management.