The Hindu 05.12.2009
Samples of leachate from garbage dumps to be tested
Deepa H Ramakrishnan
| People complained of deterioration in groundwater quality |
Any liquid oozing from garbage is called leachate
Studies have shown high levels of pH, TDS, chloride near Perungudi yard
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board will take samples of leachate from garbage dumps in and around the city in view of complaints from those living near them about deterioration in quality of groundwater.
Senior officials of the Board told The Hindu that based on test results, action would be taken. The TNPCB has so far issued no objection certificates to 23 landfills in and around the city.
Any liquid oozing from garbage is called leachate and is a potential pollutant. It is formed in landfills when water infiltrates and percolates through waste and dissolves organic and inorganic components. The recent rains are likely to have produced leachates. Various studies by different institutes have shown very high levels of pH, TDS and chloride near Perungudi dump.
Later, a senior official of the Chennai Corporation said it had plans to segregate the existing garbage and remove plastics from its dump sites. “If plastics and other recyclables are removed what will remain is only decomposed garbage that can be made into manure,” officials said. Tenders would soon be called for sieving garbage. The civic body also plans to do reclamation of landfills.
Asked about illegal dumping of garbage in open plots, TNPCB officials said that district environmental engineers of the Board in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts would be asked to go and identify places where such illegal dumping is rampant.
Residents of several areas including Ambattur, Mogappair, Poonamallee and Valasaravakkam have been repeatedly complaining about unauthorised dumping, including by the local bodies.
