Examining the Effect of Spatial Proximity of Geo-located Dumpsites on Groundwater Quality in Samaru-Nigeria

Abstract

The effect of improper waste disposal on man’s health and environment due to the closeness of solid waste dumpsites to underground water sources in some parts of the world has raised issues of serious concern. This study thus sought to examine groundwater quality dependence on the spatial proximity of dumpsites in Samaru, Kaduna state-Nigeria. The coordinates of 10 solid waste dumpsites in proximity to groundwater sources (boreholes) in the study area were acquired for spatial analyses with a GPS-enabled smartphone. Ten groundwater samples from boreholes in relation to dumpsites were collected for testing and analyses of 11 physical and chemical parameters of water quality based on the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) and World Health Organisation (WHO) standard limits. Thereafter, the water quality index (WQI) for all the locations was calculated. The results of the spatial proximity analyses carried out revealed that the requirement for locating dumpsites was not met as specified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the minimum safe distance from groundwater sources as a majority (about 80%) of the dumpsites were located too close to the boreholes. The results of the study, however, revealed that the majority (about 80%) of the groundwater samples met the conditions for good drinking water (suitable for drinking water) even with their closeness to the dumpsites based on the computed WQI values and ratings. Meanwhile, only Calcium, Dissolved Oxygen, and Biochemical Oxygen Demand concentrations were significantly affected (p < 0.05 at the 95% significance level) by the closeness of the solid waste dumpsites to the boreholes with very strong (R2 = 86%) and strong (R2 = 79%) relationships, respectively. Suggestions were nonetheless made for the monitoring of land use activities in the areas surrounding groundwater sources to prevent groundwater contamination.

Keywords

• Geo-location
• Groundwater Quality
• Solid Waste Management
• Spatial Proximity
• WHO

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