Waste water from industrial discharged into other water bodies that pose serious risks
to human health as well as the environment. The oil and ghee industries are also the
main contributors to water pollution along with various other industries. The
present study aimed to evaluate microbial load in waste water of oil industries in Lahore and
its treatment using chemical and natural coagulants. Water samples were collected from three
selected oil and ghee industries in Lahore. Physicochemical properties (Chemical oxygen
demand (COD), Biological oxygen demand (BOD), and turbidity) and microbial
contamination of water samples were analyzed before and after treatment. It was observed
that samples treated with natural coagulants such as orange and banana peel, and date seeds
showed a mild reduction in physicochemical parameters. Orange and banana peel coagulants
caused a 30% reduction, while date seeds coagulants caused a 60% reduction in
physicochemical parameters. A significant decrease in microbial load was noticed by using
natural coagulants. However, for the chemical coagulants, it was observed that ferric chloride
with alum and Ca+2 cation with bleaching powder caused an extreme reduction in
physicochemical indicators and microbial load. While no significant decrease was observed in
physicochemical indicators and microbial load when waste water samples were treated with
Poly Aluminum chloride (PAC) and alum. It was concluded that chemical coagulants have a
better ability to treat waste water as compared to natural coagulants. 

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