CHANDIGARH: Waste dumped in landfill sites is contaminating surrounding groundwater in the Tricity, according to a PGI study published recently in an international journal.
Scientists fear non-segregation and unregulated dumping of the garbage has deteriorated the quality with the passage of time, an alarming sign. Experts say that once the groundwater becomes polluted, contamination persists and becomes difficult to treat due to physical inaccessibility.
Concentrations of heavy metal ions were not high in the leachate as analysed by the study four years ago. However, due to the dumping of used batteries, switches and paint containers in the landfills, the concentration was at intermediate levels. Moreover, the results obtained from groundwater samples showed that 40% of the samples in premonsoon were unsatisfactory and unfit for human consumption. On the other hand, 52% of water samples in post-monsoon were unfit for drinking due to discharge of animal faeces, domestic waste and rainwater. The water had high values of faecal coliform (bacteria in human faeces) in postmonsoon owing to rise in the water table.
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