Illegal Dumping Research Articles

Assessment of Virulence Potential and Antibiotic Resistance Profiles in E. coli Isolates from Selected Ground Water Samples Around the Control Open Dump Sites in Sri Lanka

Assessment of Virulence Potential and Antibiotic Resistance Profiles in E. coli Isolates from Selected Ground Water Samples Around the Control Open Dump Sites in Sri Lanka

Formulation of Novel Microbial Consortia for Rapid Composting of Biodegradable Municipal Solid Waste: An Approach in the Circular Economy

Urbanization and rapid industrialization have led to the escalation of municipal solid waste generation and accumulation. Composting is widely recognized as a sustainable solution for solid waste management. However, its long-term investment is considered a disadvantage. The present research study discusses the rapid biotransformation of solid waste into valorized compost. Bacteria were isolated from soil, solid waste, and leachate samples from open dump sites. From the 18 different bacterial consortia created using potential isolates, the five most promising consortia were selected based on concurrent different enzyme production. These selected consortia were incorporated into typical compost bins with Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). Daily monitoring of enzymatic activity, pH, conductivity, bulk density, moisture, and temperature, along with other composting parameters, was conducted. The study’s results demonstrated that consortium No. 5, comprising Bacillus haynesii, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, and Bacillus safensis, exhibited significant (p<0.05) enzyme activity of cellulase, amylase, lipase and proteinase enzymes during composting compared to the control and other treatment setups. Consortium No. 5 also facilitated rapid and successful composting, as evidenced by significant alterations of composting parameters by exhibiting a shorter average composting time, reducing it from 110±10 days to 20±3 days, showcasing the potential applicability of formulated bacterial consortium as a sustainable and greener approach to the global solid waste problem. The novelty of this study lies in the isolation of local bacterial strains from open dump sites soil, MSW, and MSW leachate samples, which were then utilized in the composting organic fraction of MSW, enhancing the potential for effective waste management.

Plastic litter assessment of the riverbanks of Pulot River and its tributary in Sofronio Española, Palawan Island, Philippines

Rivers are essential sources of plastic litter in the marine environment. Recently, the Philippines was reported as the biggest polluter of plastic litter from riverine sources. However, the riverine plastic litter's origin has been less established. In this study, we determined the density, composition, and accumulation of plastic litter on the riversides of Pulot River and its tributary in Palawan Island, Philippines. We also identified the possible sources of plastic litter. Results showed that the plastic litter density was highest at the river edge during the first sampling period. Litter densities for the predefined zones and sampling periods all showed no significant differences. The most dominant plastic litter types were food packaging and plastic bags, followed by toiletries. ‘Others’ consisted of multilayers, mixed, and plastics accounted for the most abundant polymer types. We identified the residents in the vicinity illegally dumping litter, for there were small illegal dumping sites along the river. These results suggest the urgent need for better waste policy implementation measures to protect the riparian environments and reduce the input of riverine plastic litter into the marine environment to ensure river resource sustainability.

CORRELATION ANALYSIS AND MODELLING OF HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS FROM SOIL SAMPLES OF FIVE SELECTED REFUSE DUMPSITES IN LAFIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Thousands of tons of solid wastes are generated and disposed daily in open dumps of most Nigerian cities due to rapid population explosion and commercial activities. In this study, concentrations of heavy metals and physicochemical parameters from 20 soil samples each from selected refuse dumpsites in wet and dry seasons were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) standard methods. The results showed that during the wet and dry seasons, the concentration of heavy metals, Hg, Cr, Mn were above that of World Health Organisation (WHO), and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), while that of Pb, As, Fe, Zn, Cu and Ni were below the tolerable limits. The results for physicochemical parameters in wet and dry seasons for nitrates, phosphates and organic matter were above WHO standards. Statistical test at 0.05 probability level (p < 0.05) was used to determine the degree of association between pairs of the variables. The principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to measure the direct and inverse relationship between these parameters and heavy metal availability. Based on the different variables obtained at the study areas, a multiple linear regression analysis was determined from which a general linear model was formulated. The study recommends appropriate government agencies should as a matter urgency integrate the regular monitoring of waste disposal into the state developmental plan and framework in order to prevent excessive build-up of these metals in humans through the food chain.

Exposure, knowledge, and perceptions of hazards associated with solid waste management at the household level in jigjiga town, northeast Ethiopia

The goal of this study is to look into household exposure, knowledge, and perceptions of the risks connected with solid waste management in Jigjiga, Ethiopia. Jigjiga is currently grappling with overflowing landfills and limited waste collection, resulting in open dumping and serious health concerns such as disease transmission. The goal of this research is to better understand how Jigjiga residents interact with the waste management system, as well as their perceptions of the health and environmental issues that arise. The study employed a cross-sectional design using a multistage sampling technique. Two kebeles were used to select 200 families living near and far from the dumpsite. Questionnaires were utilized to collect data on demographics, exposure, knowledge, and risk perception. The analysis was carried out utilizing descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression.A survey of 357 households in Jigjiga, Ethiopia, found concerning trends in solid waste management. 78 % of the population visits the dumpsite on a weekly basis, with the majority residing within a 3-km radius. Almost half (44.5 %) reported monthly visits. Despite this, more than 90 % of locals are aware of the health dangers connected with poor waste management. 72 % of individuals believe that inadequate waste disposal causes to illness, with diarrhea being the most prevalent health concern. This study sheds light on the exposure, understanding, and perceptions of risks associated with solid waste management at the household level in Jigjiga, Ethiopia. The findings highlight the significance of improving solid waste management processes to mitigate the negative consequences on human health, the environment, and the economy.

Assessment of Waste Management Practices among Residents of Benue South

This study aims to assess waste management practices among residents of Benue South employing a descriptive cross-sectional approach. This involves investigating the sources and types of waste generated, the disposal methods used, residents’ perceptions of current waste management practices, and the problems associated with these practices. Through a multi-stage sampling technique, a total of 440 residents were randomly selected and assessed using self and interviewer-administered questionnaires. The major types of household waste generated included food residues, agricultural waste, vegetables, ash, plastics, papers, and urine/excreta. Poor waste management practices were prevalent; 87% of residents engaging in open dumping and 88.6% resorting to burning. The primary challenges identified were lack of waste collection services, lack of funding, lack of environmental awareness, and ineffective enforcement of waste management regulations. The study revealed that the current waste management practices were not satisfactory, as majority of respondents reported encountering environmental problems, such as odors and leachate pollution. The study identified gender-specific differences in awareness, knowledge, and attitude towards waste management practices. Education, income, and age were found to significantly impact awareness, knowledge, and attitude in waste management. Based on the results of the study, it is recommended that the local government should provide more adequate waste collection services, create awareness campaigns to educate the public on the importance of proper waste management, and strengthen the enforcement of existing waste management regulations. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the waste management practices in Benue South.

Prion forensics: a multidisciplinary approach to investigate CWD at an illegal deer carcass disposal site

ABSTRACT Infectious prions are resistant to degradation and remain infectious in the environment for several years. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in cervids inhabiting North America, the Nordic countries, and South Korea. CWD-prion spread is partially attributed to carcass transport and disposal. We employed a forensic approach to investigate an illegal carcass dump site connected with a CWD-positive herd. We integrated anatomic, genetic, and prion amplification methods to discover CWD-positive remains from six white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and, using microsatellite markers, confirmed a portion originated from the CWD-infected herd. This approach provides a foundation for future studies of carcass prion transmission risk.

Development of a soil quality index “SQI” from a former open dump: Dynamics of C and N mineralization

Development of a soil quality index “SQI” from a former open dump: Dynamics of C and N mineralization

Blockchain-driven framework for construction waste recycling and reuse

Conventional management mechanisms for construction waste recycling and reuse (CWRR) often cause considerable information asymmetry, inadequate government supervision, and imperfect incentive mechanisms, resulting in frequent illegal dumping and landfilling of construction waste and relatively low recycling rates. To address these issues, we introduce blockchain technology to CWRR. The design science research methodology was adopted to identify the main steps in functional requirement identification and blockchain framework development for CWRR. To explain how blockchain can improve the CWRR process, a conceptual model for the functional requirements of the proposed framework was constructed using qualitative analysis. A blockchain-driven framework was developed to overcome practical barriers in the CWRR industry. Based on scenario simulation results, the proposed framework had execution and transaction costs of $4.735 and $1.276, respectively, and latency performance at the millisecond level. The results indicate that (1) based on specific problems systematically identified from CWRR practices, the proposed framework can address practical barriers in the CWRR industry more directly; (2) the CWRR industry can use blockchain technology to achieve information sharing, comprehensive government supervision, and effective incentive mechanisms and (3) the blockchain-driven framework has high efficacy and can promote efficient CWRR and high-quality development of CWRR industry chain. This management model is conducive to forming a collaborative CWRR industry chain that can lead to broader adoption of blockchain technology across industries.

Occurrence and abundance of microplastics and plasticizers in landfill leachate from open dumpsites in Sri Lanka

This is the first attempt that investigate the abundance of plasticizers in leachate sediment in the scientific literature, alongside the debut effort to explore the abundance of microplastics and plasticizers in landfill leachate and sediment in Sri Lanka. Microplastics in sizes ranging from ≥2.0–5.0, ≥1.0–2.0, and ≥ 0.5–1.0 mm were extracted from the leachate draining from ten municipal solid waste open dump sites and sediment samples covering seven districts. Microplastics were extracted by density separation (Saturated ZnCl2) followed by wet peroxide digestion and the chemical identification was conducted by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. Plasticizers were extracted to hexane and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The total mean microplastic abundance in leachate was 2.06 ± 0.62 mg/L whereas it was 363 ± 111 mg/kg for leachate sediments. The most frequently found polymer type was polyethylene (>50%), and white color was dominant. The average concentration of bisphenol A (BPA), benzophenone (BP) and diethyl-hydrogen phthalate (DHEP) in leachate was 158 ± 84.4, 0.75 ± 0.16 and 170 ± 85.8 μg/L respectively. Furthermore, BP and DHEP in leachate sediment was 100 ± 68.3 and 1034 ± 455 μg/kg respectively. As landfill leachate is directly discharged into nearby surface and groundwater bodies that serve as sources of drinking water, the study highlights the potential concerns of microplastic and plasticizer exposure to the surrounding Sri Lankan community through consumption of contaminated drinking water. Therefore, there is a timely need of develop the effective waste management and pollution control measures to minimize the possible threats to both the environment and human health.

The Political Economy of the Mobuoy Illegal Dump in Northern Ireland: A Green Criminology Perspective

In 2012, the discovery of the Mobuoy illegal dump in Northern Ireland came to the attention of society as a shocking scandal. This was not only because the dump (516,000 tonnes of waste) was possibly one of the largest illegal dumps in Europe, but also because it exposed how the waste-management system in Northern Ireland was vulnerable to criminality and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency incapable of crime prevention and enforcement. However, it would be too narrow to focus criticisms solely on a particular governmental agency. From a green criminology perspective, this article provides a political economic analysis of the Mobuoy illegal dump and demonstrates the country’s environmental management system, as well as political resistance against environmental governance reforms that may create favourable conditions for criminal groups to seek financial gains through environmental crime in Northern Ireland.

Geophysical exploration to assess leachate percolation and aquifer protectivity within hydrogeological units at a major open dump in Eket, Nigeria

Leachate contamination was investigated with geo-electrical methodologies at a major open dump in Eket, Southern Nigeria. The open dump is heavily polluted, degrades the environment, and has released toxins into the atmosphere. To model leachate percolation, vertical electrical soundings (VES) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys, constrained by well lithological information, were undertaken at the site. The field equipment used for the geo-electrical investigations was the ABEM Terrameter SAS 1000 and its accessories. WINRESIST software was employed to process the sounding data and RES2DINV was employed to generate 2D tomograms indicating subsurface heterogeneity. Results obtained from sounding data showed that the subsurface had three lithological units (motley topsoil, fine sand and coarse sand), with coarse sand being the main hydrogeological unit comprising water-bearing formations. The first layer’s resistivity ranged from 84.9 – 625.4 Ωm with a mean of 360.4 Ωm; the second layer’s resistivity ranged from 7.5 – 1008.1 Ωm with a mean of 142.9 Ωm, and the third layer’s resistivity values ranged from 11.6 – 745.6 with a mean of 205.5 Ωm. The 2D resistivity tomograms indicated that leachate had percolated into groundwater resources. This is concerning as groundwater is the major water resource within the area. Measures of the Dar-Zarrouk indices and electrical reflection co-efficient indicated that the highly heterogenous region had moderate aquifer protective capacity and moderate aquifer potentiality. To mitigate contamination at the site, sanitary landfills, phyto-remediation, impermeable liners, or impermeable earth materials should be employed to diminish the rate of leachate percolation.

A study of illegal dumping near coastal zones and waterways in Grenada: Advancing waste management solutions and reducing marine litter

The small island of Grenada, located in the south-eastern Caribbean, is grappling with the escalating issue of illegal dumping near its coastal zones and waterways. This study aims to investigate the causes of illegal dumping on the island, as well as potential solutions to mitigate its impact on the environment, public health, and the local economy. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) software, illegal dumpsites were mapped and the Lau, Whyte, and Law (2008) methodology for quantifying waste volume was applied to the study. Data were gathered manually via field work for over two months, including collecting information on illegal dumping sites’ waste type, quantity in terms of volume, and location, supplemented by photographs. Waste was classified into thirteen primary categories, such as construction and demolition (C&D), derelict vehicles and parts, electronic waste, glass, household/domestic waste, medical, healthcare, hygiene-related waste, metals, organic waste, paper and cardboard, plastics, textiles, used tires, white goods, and treated wood piles. The study estimated a total volume of approximately 35, 000 ft3 of waste from 29 unauthorized dumpsites. Out of these sites, C&D waste and plastics were the most dominant type of debris. The generated map offers valuable insights for Grenadian authorities to enhance their solid waste management system. It was revealed that rural and agricultural communities are more susceptible to illegal dumping and the underlying reasons for this issue was further investigated. Furthermore, interviews were conducted with key informants in waste management, marine pollution, and environmental and coastal affairs from other English-speaking Windward Islands. This approach facilitated the identification of shared patterns and the development of more effective, collaborative solutions across the country and region. The research findings can inform policy decisions and community-based initiatives aimed at reducing illegal dumping, fostering environmental responsibility, promoting sustainable waste management practices, and safeguarding the health and resilience of small island ecosystems.

IJCM_158A: Usage and disposal of plastic waste among general population in urban slums of Field practice area, Gandhi medical college, Telangana.

Background: Plastics, owing to their ease of use and affordability, have taken over every aspect of our modern world. It has become an essential aspect of our everyday lives, permeating every sector from food packaging to toys and electronics, to the degree that it is unimaginable to picture a world without it. Plastic takes around 15 to 1000 years to biodegrade. The consumption of plastic by individuals and the ineffective reuse or recycling of it has detrimental effects on the ecosysystem. Overusing plastic and neglecting disposal solutions for plastic over a long time led not only India but many other nations to adopt laws to limit plastic because of its increasing environmental damage. Objectives: 1. To determine the utilization and disposal of plastic waste among general population in urban slums. 2. To study association between sociodemographic factors and plastic usage and disposal. Methodology: Study Design: A cross sectional analytical study Study Population: General population residing in urban slum Sampling Technique: Simple random sampling Sample Size:216 (p= 50%, l= 7, NR=10%) Study Tools: Self-designed, semi structured, pilot-tested questionnaire will be used for the data collection which will be entered in Microsoft Excel and analysed using SPSS statistical software version 20. Results: Usage of plastic was seen in all the study participants and more than 96% of them were reusing the plastics more than once. Most common method was disposing plastic in municipal dust bins (60.2%) followed by open dumping (20.9%), whereas 16.4% were reusing them for other purposes. Level of education and religion has no association with proper disposal of plastic waste. Present study observed that there was a significantly high percentage (96.1%) of three generation families were following proper plastic waste disposal methods followed by nuclear and Joint families with 56.9% and 48.8% respectively. with P≤0.05. Conclusion: Most common method was disposing plastic in municipal dust bins followed by open dumping. Level of education and religion has no association with proper disposal of plastic waste.

Plastic Solid Waste Management Assessment Among Selected Schools in Gwadabawa Local Government, Sokoto, Nigeria

The objective of this work was to assess the plastic solid waste management among selected schools in Gwadabawa Local Government, Sokoto, Nigeria. A descriptive survey (cross-sectional) study was employed and collected data from portions of schools and respondents. The findings indicate that, demographic characteristics of teacher respondents involved in this study are: Males are 66.7%, females are 33.3%; and the levels of education include, NCE/diploma (58.0%), BSc (26.7%), MSc (13.3%), and PhD (2.0%). Regards to students involved, 48.0% are males, 60.0% are females; 36.0% are 18-20 years old, and 64.0% are above 20 years old. The level of education of students include, 60.0% diploma students, and 40.0% certificates students. The effects are listed in the order of frequency as submitted by participants: Release of gases (20.5%), land pollution (17.0%), water pollution (15.0%), attraction of vermin (11.0%), breeding of diseases (10.5%), loss of biodiversity (7.5%), reduction of beauty of environment (7.5%), offensive odour (5.0%), flooding (5.0%), and particulates release (1.0%). Methods of waste elimination are: open disposal occurs among 37.5% schools; likewise, open disposal and burning, occur in 37.5%; while, use as fertilizer was recorded in 12.5% schools. Waste collection methods are either open dumping (80.0%), or use of containers (20.0%). The use of segregation of waste; therewith, only 20.0% practice segregation, the remaining 80.0% do not practice segregation, rather openly display mixtures of waste materials. The possible remedies to mitigate plastic solid waste mismanagement and effects include, education (awareness) and behavior change (53.3%) was mostly stated, funding (26.7%), improvisation (15.3%), scavenging (3.3%), and innovations (1.3%). Policy makers need to act urgently in diverse ways, and the people are supposed to be educated on ways of remediating plastic waste pollution.

National Solid Waste Policy (NSWP): Challenges and Advances after 10 Years of Implementation

A decade after the implementation of the National Solid Waste Policy (NSWP), municipalities continue to face challenges in implementation. This study aimed to assess the influence of the Municipal Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan (MISWMP) and proper waste disposal in the main cities of the country, in light of the National System of Information on Solid Waste Management (NSISWM). The analyzed data indicate slight advances related to what the National Solid Waste Policy (NSWP) proposes, stemming from difficulties in implementing the policy itself and/or making its instruments viable, especially in cities in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil. Practices such as improper waste disposal in open dumps or controlled landfills and incineration characterize the reality of Brazil, even a decade after the publication of the NSWP. Among the adopted strategies, waste recycling emerges as significant, with emphasis on composting and energy generation from biogas. There is a need for the integration of municipalities, states, and the Union to provide support for them to better exploit the potential in the generated waste, based on dominant technologies. It is also noteworthy the absence of updated data and cities' non-compliance with individual declarations in the NSISWM, regarding the provision of public solid waste management services, contradicting the policy itself and hindering the transparency of each municipality's data, making it difficult or even preventing monitoring by interested parties, civil society, and public and private entities.

Statistical Analysis for waste generation Prediction based on the Population Growth in Tangerang: An environmental Perspective

Tangerang is counted among Indonesia's fastest-growing industries and population since it is located near the capital. At the current rate of population growth, the population by 2035 is expected to reach more than 2 million by appliying the geometric method. Rapid population growth has severe environmental damage. A simple linear regression calculation was applied to predict the Tangerang waste generation and it is expected to grow to 1,57 million tonnes by 2035. The Pearson's correlation was used to examine the impact of population growth in Tangerang on waste generation. Overall, there is a positive correlation between population growth and waste generation. The increase in the amount of waste can affect the formation of leachate. Rawa Kucing is the main Tangerang landfill that implements an open dumping system in its waste management. One of the negative impacts of the open dumping system is the potential for leachate generation. This study performed a simple calculation of leachate volume to illustrate leachate generation in Rawa Kucing. The more leachate produced, the greater the level of contamination since it contains highly toxic components, and it will escape from the Rawa Kucing landfill, contaminating the groundwater, potentially polluting the environment and harming human health.

Plastic Solid Waste Management Assessment Among Selected Schools in Gwadabawa Local Government, Sokoto, Nigeria

The objective of this work was to assess the plastic solid waste management among selected schools in Gwadabawa Local Government, Sokoto, Nigeria. A descriptive survey (cross-sectional) study was employed and collected data from portions of schools and respondents. The findings indicate that, demographic characteristics of teacher respondents involved in this study are: Males are 66.7%, females are 33.3%; and the levels of education include, NCE/diploma (58.0%), BSc (26.7%), MSc (13.3%), and PhD (2.0%). Regards to students involved, 48.0% are males, 60.0% are females; 36.0% are 18-20 years old, and 64.0% are above 20 years old. The level of education of students include, 60.0% diploma students, and 40.0% certificates students. The effects are listed in the order of frequency as submitted by participants: Release of gases (20.5%), land pollution (17.0%), water pollution (15.0%), attraction of vermin (11.0%), breeding of diseases (10.5%), loss of biodiversity (7.5%), reduction of beauty of environment (7.5%), offensive odour (5.0%), flooding (5.0%), and particulates release (1.0%). Methods of waste elimination are: open disposal occurs among 37.5% schools; likewise, open disposal and burning, occur in 37.5%; while, use as fertilizer was recorded in 12.5% schools. Waste collection methods are either open dumping (80.0%), or use of containers (20.0%). The use of segregation of waste; therewith, only 20.0% practice segregation, the remaining 80.0% do not practice segregation, rather openly display mixtures of waste materials. The possible remedies to mitigate plastic solid waste mismanagement and effects include, education (awareness) and behavior change (53.3%) was mostly stated, funding (26.7%), improvisation (15.3%), scavenging (3.3%), and innovations (1.3%). Policy makers need to act urgently in diverse ways, and the people are supposed to be educated on ways of remediating plastic waste pollution.

Analisis Penyalahgunaan Kawasan Tepi Jalan menjadi Tempat Pembuangan Sampah Liar di Jalan Sipirok Area, Kec. Percut Sei Tuan, Kab. Deli Serdang

Waste causes serious problems if not managed properly. Garbage problems generally occur due to the behavior of people who like to throw rubbish carelessly. Littering has the potential to create illegal rubbish dumps in public places, including the sides of roads. In Deli Serdang Regency, there are several public roads which are often misused as illegal rubbish dumps, one of which is Jalan Sipirok Area which is in Kenangan Village, Kec. Percut Sei Tuan. This research aims to identify cases of misuse of roadside areas as illegal rubbish dumps on Jalan Sipirok, Kenangan Village, Percut Sei Tuan District. The research method used was a qualitative descriptive method through observation, interviews and literature review with various relevant references. Based on the research results, it was found that the roadside area at the location was abandoned land that was not utilized so that people were free to throw away rubbish. Community participation is still low in the waste problem coupled with the lack of support from the government in eradicating cases of careless waste disposal. Disposal of this waste has many negative impacts, such as unpleasant odors, damaging the beauty of the environment, and increasing the risk of accidents.

Occurrence of forever chemicals in Chennai waters, India

BackgroundPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are considered ‘contaminants of emerging concern’ due to their environmental persistence, bio-accumulative potential, and adverse effects on human health. They are widely employed in producing various goods used in daily life, such as non-stick cookware, cleaning agents, and many industrial applications in aerospace, automotive, construction, electronics, and military, all of which ultimately end up in different environmental matrices. India’s rapid economic growth necessitates a comprehensive understanding of its PFAS contamination levels and potential human and ecological exposure.ResultsThe present study reports the quantification of one long-chain and two short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids and three long-chain and two short-chain perfluorosulfonic acids and qualitative analysis using suspect screening in the waters of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Samples were collected from surface and groundwater sources, including the Adyar river, Buckingham canal, Chembarambakkam lake, and the water treatment plant. The concentrations analyzed in all the samples ranged from 0.10 ng/L to 136.27 ng/L. Groundwater had some of the highest concentrations of PFAS. L-PFBS (up to 136.27 ng/L) and PFOA (up to 77.61 ng/L) are present in all the samples. The concentrations of all the target PFAS increased in the 5 to 103% range in the final treated water compared to the raw water of the water treatment plant. This treated water is distributed as a source of drinking water for the residents of Chennai. Additionally, the dominance of short-chain compounds (4–7 carbons) over long-chain compounds (> 7 carbons) was observed. Suspect screening revealed numerous precursors and other fluorinated compounds abundantly present in the samples.ConclusionsOur study revealed PFAS levels up to 136.27 ng/L in both surface and groundwater samples from Chennai. These findings raise concerns about potential risks to ecosystems and human well-being. The dominance of short-chain PFAS coupled with abundant precursors and unidentified fluorinated compounds indicates an ongoing shift toward alternatives. Conventional water treatment is ineffective in eliminating these chemicals from the water system; rather, increasing the PFAS concentrations from raw water to treated water necessitates advanced polishing steps. Industrial emissions, untreated domestic wastewater discharge, and open dump sites have been suspected as the significant sources of contamination, highlighting the need for further investigation to fully assess the extent of PFAS contamination in Chennai.Graphical