Impact of improper disposal of solid waste on ground water quality-- A case study

Abstract

The present study has been made to evaluate the ground water quality of Samba town of Jammu division of J & K state . The solid waste ge nerated in urban areas is i ncreasi ng day-by-day. Many municipalities and corporations are facing the problem of managing large volumes of solid waste generated in their area. One of the alternatives for disposal of solid waste is filling the depressions, drains, nallah, open spaces etc. In the persent study, a big nallah flowing through Samba town carries huge load of pollutants in the form of refuse and waste water opens at many places into self-created garbage pits. Ground water monitoring was carried out at two stations around garbage pit to assess the ground water quality of hand pumps used by the residents of the area for domestic and other uses. The study revealed that the quality of ground water, however, confirm to the drin king water quality standards but th ere is need for periodic evaluation of various water quality parameters as well as adopti on of proper water quali ty management as natural quality of ground wate r is being degradaed near the garbage pit.

Keywords

• Solid waste
• ground water quality
• depressions
• drains
• nallahs
• open spaces and samba town