Application of Cleaner Technologies in the Treatment of Leachate and the Prevention of Surface and Groundwater Pollution in the Environment

Abstract

Direct discharge of municipal and industrial waste waters and leachate (originating from the illegal landfills) into recipients without prior purification is unfortunately very common practice in the region of northern Kosovo. In addition, irresponsible and incorrect selection of sites for industrial and municipal dumps, which are often located in vicinity or on the very river banks, contributes significantly to environmental pollution. Analysis of the leachate from such sites was done by direct sampling and by using TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic Leashing Procedures) method. Based on the analysis of physicochemical parameters of the filtrated water from the sites Zitkovac, Grabovac and Balaban and analysis of the samples of surface water and groundwater from the site Grabovac, possible steps for removal and reduction of the existing pollution were proposed. Potential permanent solution in form of purification of municipal and industrial waste waters as well as leachate from illegal landfills was suggested. The potential implementation of remediation with a unified system for water purification, by using Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR), which includes the process of stabilization/solidification of a residual sludge, would have as an end product a neutral powder material completely safe for the environment, suitable for a variety of applications. The aim of this study is to monitor the impact of leachate landfill water on surface and groundwater near landfills and to prevent and remediate pollution, by applying cleaner technologies in landfill water treatment.