Unplanned Municipal Solid Waste Dumps and Their Impact on Water Quality - A Case Study from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, South India

Abstract

Ground water can be polluted in numerous ways in spite of the protective mantle which nature has provided. Liquid pollutants can originate, from waste water stabilization ponds, sludge lagoons, barhyard runoff. Septic tank leaching fields or seepage pits. Pollutants can also originate from the leachates of decomposing solid wastes as in the case of open dumps, sanitary landfills. Sanitary landfill is a method of disposing of surface on land without creative nuisances or hazards to public health or safety, by utilizing the principle, of engineering to confine the refuse to the smallest practical area to reduce it to smallest practical volume, and to cover it with a layer of earth at the conclusion of each day's operation. Some of the most useful studies in recent years on landfill site selection and evaluation from the standpoint of practical applicability of the information has been conducted. In the present paper the impact on the quality of water in the surrounding wells of the dumpsite has been outlined. The case history is from a poshest locality in Visakhapatnam, a port city in Andhra Pradesh. Here the site selection made by the Metro authorities is unplanned and consequences unexpected the role of climate, hydrologic and geologic factors strongly influence the production and spread of contaminants from landfill sites. Detailed hydro chemical studies and parameters which influence and effects the surrounding environment has been discussed. A case history of Visakhapatnam city is mentioned and explained the extent of time span required to bring the quality of water to normal state has been discussed. The paper deals with the Ethical values of the administration in selecting the sites at the centre of the human settlements and the post health hazards are discussed. Scientific procedures for better site selection are advised. Extensive extension studies are in progress targeting all the major cities in India.