Open Dumping of Waste and Its Impact on Our Water Resources and Health—A Case of New Delhi, India

Abstract

Domestic hazardous waste (DHW) refers to CFL bulbs, broken mercury thermometers, expired medicines, old batteries, used needles, tube lights and syringes and contaminated gauge, etc. as defined by the SWM Rules, 2016, Government of India, generated at the household level. As of today, the above category of waste, along with wet biodegradable and dry recyclable waste is being dumped in unlined landfills in the outskirts of our cities. As per this study, an average home in Delhi generates 0.03 ± 0.01 kg of domestic hazardous waste per day. When improperly disposed of, this waste is a potential risk to people and the environment. In open dumpsites, heavy metals have the potential to leach slowly into soil, groundwater or surface water. This study attempts to study and understand the interaction between such wastes when mixed and the potential impacts of these on the residential colonies located in and around the landfill site. The leachate pollution index (LPI) value of Okhla landfill site indicated that the waste deposited is contaminated since all values calculated during all the three seasons pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon exceeded the standards [13]. The Water Quality Index (WQI) of the groundwater samples collected from the nearby residential areas proves the poor quality of water and indicates possible contamination of these waters by the landfill site and have been found unsuitable for human consumption. It is also observed that the pollution load is relatively high during the post-monsoon season and the monsoon season. Primary data collection was done through interviews, focus group discussions, direct observations and waste quantity and water quality analyses. This helped to delineate the potential impacts of open dumping on the groundwater of habitations close to the landfill and consequently, the possible health impacts on the individuals residing there.