Integrated solid waste management of a modern township- a case study

Abstract

The increasing population and improving standard of living in the towns and cities the society is generating varied categories of solid and liquid waste. In India, Municipal solid waste management is one of the most neglected areas of urban development. The existing infrastructure is far short of the desired levels. The major chunk of wastes generated in various cities and townships remains unattended to causing health hazards to the inhabitants. The present study was carried out to find the major shortcomings in the solid waste management of Chandigarh city along with its impact on the environment. A detailed analysis was carried out regarding the methods of practices associated with sources, quantity generated, collection, transportation, storage, treatment and disposal of Municipal solid waste in the tricity.The data was collected in order to have an idea of the status of management and the experiments were done by collecting Leachate and groundwater samples from the landfill site and its adjacent areas to study the possible impact of Leachate percolation on groundwater quality. After this case study, it was found that there are several lacunas in existing system of SWM in the city in comparison with Municipal Solid Waste (Management & Handling) Rules 2000. Concentration of various physico-chemical parameters including heavy metal was recorded high in the samples also. Although some remedial measures are suggested to integrated SWM approach, the present study demand for the proper management of waste in the township. A Leachate treatment plant is designed for the Leachate treatment and theoretical design considerations of integrated solid waste management approach is suggested along with sanitary landfill construction for the tricity.