ASSESEMENT OF THE QUALITY OF LEACHATE AT SARBAH LANDFILL SITE AT WEIJA IN ACCRA

摘要

Physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics of Sarbah dump site at Weija, Accra was investigated to ascertain the leachate quality for possible treatment. The leachate was observed to be alkaline in nature and had high BOD, COD and oil &grease. The DO in the main leachate at site I was zero. The leachate contained high turbidity (840 NTU), colour (4,000 Hz), suspended solids (493 mg/l) and total dissolved solids (16725 mg/l). In relations to metal determination all the metals such Cd ,Zn, Pb, Mn, Cr ,Hg ,and Cu were within the EPA guideline limits except Fe which was relatively high. The study showed the possibility of leachate contamination of any nearby water body. The leachate was found to be contaminated with micro-organisms and some of which have public health implications. The major pathogens isolated in the leachates from Sarbah dump site were total coliform (TC), faecal coliforms (CF), Eshcerichia coli ,Salmonella spps ,Vibro spp ,Bacillus spp ,Yeast and Moulds. TC and FC were predominant in all the sites. The highest levels were recorded at site I [TC (26 x10~2 CFU/ 100ml); FC (33 x 10~2 CFU/ 100 ml) ] and the lowest observed at site IV,[TC (18.6 x 10~2 CFU/ 100 ml)] ; (FC (38.4 x 10 CFU/ 100ml )] .Specific bacteria pathogens [Escherichia coli ( 22.4 x 10? CFU/100ml ), Salmonella (41 x 103 CFU/100 ml), Vibro spp (12 x 10 CFU/100 ml) were highest at site I and absent at site II. However, the TC and FC recorded exceeded the EPA permissible limits. The inhabitant would be at the risk of the following diseases; malaria, intestinal worms, upper respiratory infections, typhoid fever, dysentery, salmonellosis, cholera and gastroenteritis. There is a need for strict regulation against siting a waste dump near water bodies.