Characteristics and suitability of waste dump sites in Owerri, Nigeria

Abstract

A five point criteria screening of the three major waste dumpsites in Owerri Municipality was identified, and a ranking procedure adopted to determine the suitability or otherwise of the dumpsites. The sites were screened and ranked hydro-geologically and geo-technically in order of suitable, moderately suitable, and not suitable. Only one site in Avu at the outskirts of the town was found to be suitable while the other two were not suitable and therefore recommended for closure. A well-structured sanitary landfill is suggested for sighting at Avu, some five kilometers southwest of the town.

Keywords: wastes, dumpsite, leachate, aquifer, water table, Nigeria

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 1(1) 2005: 78-80