The impact of municipal landfill on surface and ground water quality in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Leachate from Richmond municipal landfill, underlain by the Matsheumhlope unconfined aquifer in Bulawayo city and its consequent water resource quality impacts are evaluated. Leachate samples from collection ponds and water samples from a stream, and up and down-gradient boreholes fromthe landfill were tested for nine pollutants. The leachate pollutants found in both surface and ground water included metals (Fe, Pb and Hg) and organic compounds that are hazardous to both human and the environmental health. Borehole water quality compliance with the relevant national and international regulations is reported. From borehole water samples, only chloride and nitrate with concentrations of 56.9 mg/ and 2.26 mg/ , respectively, were within the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended limits for drinking water of 250 mg/ and 10 mg/ , respectively. Lead and mercury concentrations of 0.22 mg/ and 0.04 mg/ were 10 times higher than WHO guidelines of 0.01 and 0.001 mg/ , respectively. Both landfill and informal settlement activities near the landfill impact negatively to water resources quality in the area. City council should minimize waste by recycling, pre-treat collected leachate and drill monitoring wells around the landfill to check possible leachate leaks to water resources and take remedial actions, such assubmerged leachate combustion and evaporation.