| dc.description.abstract | Car washing has been identified as a major consumer of water and generator of waste water,
leading to environmental pollution and increased expenditure on fresh water. However, this issue
has not received much attention in Uganda. The study examines the development of a low-cost
waste water treatment and recycling unit for Uganda’s car wash industry to address water
conservation and pollution mitigation challenges. A quasi-experimental design was used to study
10 car wash stations in Kampala, with a focus on analyzing waste water pollutants such as
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solids
(TDS), turbidity, oil and grease, and detergents. A prototype treatment system, utilizing a sandgravel-charcoal filter, was tested to determine its effectiveness in reducing contaminants to meet
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) standards. Results demonstrated
significant reductions in TSS, oil, grease, and COD, supporting the system's suitability for
reusing treated water within car wash operations. Economic analysis projected a positive Net
Present Value (NPV) of approximately 11 million Ugandan shillings over three years, indicating
financial viability for car wash operators. The system’s affordability, simplicity, and scalability
make it a promising solution for small-scale car wash businesses and potentially other waterintensive industries. Key recommendations include government support for eco-friendly
technologies, industry implementation of water recycling practices, and further research into
alternative local filtration materials and system automation to enhance pollutant removal and
user-friendliness | en_US |
