Physicochemical assessment of leachate from Pokhara landfill site and its impact on the quality of Seti River water, Nepal

Abstract

The management of municipal solid always poses serious environmental problems on land, air, and groundwater, especially in the case of developing countries. The characterization and assessment of leachates are necessary to understand the water quality in the urban region as well as has enormous importance in sustaining the livelihoods of people in the riverine environment maintaining the ecological balance. Landfill leachate contains thousands of complex components, which contaminate the nearby water bodies, and communities with several hazardous ingredients. The present study was conducted to assess the influence of landfill leachates on the quality of Seti River water. The samples were collected from four stations (Tatopani, Ramghat, Landfill, Below landfill, and Kotre). The samples were analyzed for pH, total hardness, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, turbidity, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity (EC), Cl-, NH3, and PO43- by standard methods. The pH and EC were measured in situ whereas other parameters were analyzed in the laboratory adopting standard protocols. The physicochemical parameters of river water and that of leachates were compared to monitor the level of contamination. The research reveals the landfill to have insignificant pollution of water on matching the parameters with World Health Organization (WHO) guideline values. Regular monitoring of the quality of river water and sustainable management of solid waste is essential for the ecological quality and integrity of the environment in the region. Scientific information obtained by this study could contribute to policymakers for the sustainable management of water quality and landfill in the downstream and urban segments of the river basins.