SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FOR ABATEMENT OF POLLUTION OF RIVER AT PUDUKKOTTAI TOWN

Abstract

The problem of Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) has acquired alarming dimensions in India especially during last decade. The present system of Solid Waste Management (SWM) in India is fraught with many inadequacies. Numerous impacts of waste disposal that have been identified are: pollution of surface and ground water, creation of malodorous environments facilitating insect/mosquito breeding. Illegal dumping is a major problem that raises significant concerns with regard to safety, property values, and quality of life in communities. In addition, it is a major economic burden on local body, which is typically responsible for cleaning up these open dumps sites. The federal body Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) along with the apex body Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued guidelines for municipal solid waste management and handling namely Municipal Solid Waste (management and handling) Rules, Amendment, 2000. The 74th Constitutional Amendment by MoEF is a very important milestone in introducing the decentralized local urban governance in India. In Pudukkottai town, inadequate facilities are available for the collection and segregation of solid waste as well as transportation. The leachate generated from the dumping ground is not collected and leachate directly finding its way into storm water drain and road. There is an urgent need to select appropriate treatment and disposal facility for Pudukkottai town. To carry out the study, the present SWM practice in the town has been analysed. The samples were collected and percentages of physical compositions have been studied. About 32 tons of solid wastes are generated everyday in the. town. The waste generation was found to be 300 gm per capita per day. Obvious gaps have been identified between the present management practice and the MSWM Rules. To fill up the gap, a management plan is proposed which covers all aspects of segregation at the point of generation, collection and transportation, treatment and disposal at the common facility. As a part of the plan, the capacity of detachable containers, handcarts, storage bins, transport vehicles, transport routes, and the treatment & disposal have been designed. The initial investment for the treatment plant, its O&M cost, Benefit Cost ratio, Internal Rate of Return and the cess have been calculated.