Potential Impacts of Landfill Leachate on the Quality of Groundwater Bodies

As the world’s population continues to grow, the issue of managing municipal solid waste becomes increasingly complex. The improper disposal of trash through open dumping is causing widespread damage across the country, with two immediate consequences being the contamination of groundwater and surface water. During landfill operations, leachates are produced, primarily due to precipitation seeping through the trash heaps. These liquid wastes pose a significant pollution threat if they come into contact with the ground, soil, or surface rivers, necessitating the implementation of measures to prevent environmental catastrophes. This study examines the physicochemical properties of leachate and its impact on groundwater by analyzing major water parameters that are used to assess water quality, as well as the concentration of heavy metals in groundwater samples. Leachate samples were collected from the Municipal Solid Waste landfill in Vadodara, while groundwater samples were taken from areas near the landfill and some samples from areas farther away to assess the effects of leachate infiltration on groundwater. The results revealed that the groundwater samples collected from inside the landfill were contaminated. Additionally, several parameters, including TDS, total hardness, chloride, fluoride, sodium, and ammonia, showed higher values than the potable range in most samples. Major heavy metals like Cd, Cr, and Pb also showed values exceeding the potable ranges as given by the BIS. Therefore, it is crucial to develop waste management strategies in response to urbanization and population growth to reduce pollution and safeguard public health.