Impacts of solid wastes dumping site location on drinking water resources in Alexandria

ABSTRACT

The New EI-Mansheyya solid waste landfill site, part of the main basin of Lake Mariut, was located along the Western shore of the Drinking Water Canal [DWC] in Alexandria. 's canal is one of two sources for drinking water treatment plants in Alexandria City. To investigate the impacts of the newly created dump site on the DWC, samples were collected. Tithe upstream and down stream sectors of this canal and from landfill leachate for chemical and bacteriological examination. All the examined parameters, except pH, increased significantly in the DWC stretch close to the solid waste landfill site. Parameters which are evidently higher are those of BOD, COD, TS, ammonia-nitrogen, and FC. In addition, .eutrophication of the DWC is a clear evidence of high nitrogen and phosphorus Content as leachate found their way to the canal. The main causes of this mishap were the faulty site selection of the landfill, discharge of the leachate into the DWC, and lack of impervious liner in the landfill site. Although biological agents could be easily detected and inactivated by a conventional water treatment plant, chemical pollutants, as trace organics and heavy metals, are rather difficult and costly to monitor and to remove. Environmental Impact Assessment for solid waste disposal facilities has to be taken into consideration. Presently, to minimize the health and environmental damages on the canal water, diversion of leachate away from the DWC should be immediately practiced