A Survey on household Solid Waste Management and Assessment of Soil and Water quality of selected open Solid Waste Dumpsites in Kumaravayalur, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu

Abstract: The current study focused on the measure of Public Awareness and Attitude on Solid Waste Management at Kumaravayalur Panchayat, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu. The evaluation of soil quality and leachate around open solid waste dump also carried out. A pre tested and self-administered questionnaire was used for primary data collection covered 300 household which were selected randomly. 60% of the total waste collection was obtained from the kitchen. Nearly 16% wastes belong to non-biodegradable especially Plastic type. Out of 300 household, 67.83% used to prepare manure from the kitchen waste. Nearly 25% involved in the active participation for home composting is appreciable. The results also showed that 75% of the households were not aware of 3R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). 75% of the households was satisfied with the existing Waste Management System. The assessment of the soil quality of six open solid waste dump sites were selected and the assessment of Soil quality based on the characteristics such as pH, EC, NPK content and the level of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu. The analysis of soil samples from the above locations showed that open solid waste dump at these sites had drastically modified the soil characteristics. Among the six landfill leachate samples analysis, few sites showed the increased level of Total Hardness, COD and Calcium indicated the influence of the Solid Waste.

Keywords: Solid Waste Management, Solid waste dumpsite, Public Awareness, Attitude