Leachate migration and percolation consequences on water quality: A case study of Plateau State Nigeria

Abstract

Leachate water samples were collected from dumpsite and its adjacent area in Jos metropolis to study leachate migration and percolation consequences on water quality. Concentration of various physico-chemical parameters including heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, As, V, and Zn) were determined in water and leachate samples. The moderate to high concentrations of Cl, NO3, SO4, Fe, Zn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in water, indicate that water quality in the area is being affected by leachate percolation. Surface water has HPI value of 94.52 with mean value of 48.32 which is of the transition stage of medium to high. HEI value computed was 20.07 with mean value of 16 for the surface water, in ground water, HEI value computed was 5.94 with mean value of 0.88. LPI at Honda village showed the lowest values of 16.5, GeroNyango and Sabon Geri Atu village highest value of 20.1 and 23.4. This suggests that leachate percolation is have an effect on water quality which indicates that water in the area is threatened. Government should consider recycling waste, composting, using waste to generate energy, reuse derived full (RDF), solid Recovered (SRF) and engineering landfill as an option.