This study assessed the impacts of industrial effluent discharge on the quality of Emene River. Samples
were collected from river at three sample points in order to evaluate the spatial concentration of industrial effluent in
Emene River. Samples were analyzed following the procedure described by America Public Health Association
(APHA). Statistical analysis shows that significant variation (p<0.05) was observed in the sample points. The results
showed that TDS, TSS, ion, calcium, nitrate, chloride, magnesium, electrical conductivity, BOD, turbidity, color,
temperature, zinc, odour and total hardness are significantly difference (p<0.05) at point source when compared with
values obtained at upstream. TCG and E.coli are the only variables that recorded higher values at upstream and
downstream of Emene River. This shows that non point sources are contributory to microbial pollution of Emene
River. Nine variables exceeded maximum permissible limit (MPL) in all the sample points, while seven variables
exceeded MPL at control point of Emene River. All the variables except chloride exceeded MPL of industrial
effluent discharge as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS).
Three factors identified by PCA that influence the pattern of surface water quality are chemical (39.73%), physical
(32.47%) and microbial (25.31%) characteristics of Emene River, and they altogether explained about 97% of the
total variance.