Impacts of illegal solid waste dumping on the water quality of the Mthatha River

Abstract

The world faces problems such as improper waste disposal that have spread to include disposal near water bodies. It is getting very difficult to find fresh water everywhere. Given that surface sources provide around one-third of the world's drinking water needs, contamination of these sources exacerbates the issue. This paper aimed at evaluating the impacts of solid waste on the water quality along the Mthatha River. During the rainy and dry seasons of 2021, Hanna probe instruments were used to assess the physicochemical quality of water before and after identifying illegal dump sites. To compare the measured mean values of water quality parameters, the data were analysed using ANOVA in SPSS version 22. In terms of temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrite, conductivity, and presence of Escherichia coli, the water quality in the sampling points after the illegal dump sites revealed deterioration, which was more severe in the rainy season and moderate in the dry season. The study's findings suggest that illegal dump sites along water bodies negatively impact the water quality. Diverse research on water pollution shows that declining water quality endangers aquatic species and is unsafe for human consumption. This paper recommends strengthening of laws against improper waste handling, and more frequent waste collection to prevent contamination of water bodies.

Multi-criteria decision analysis framework for engaging stakeholders in river pollution risk management

“…Solid waste management emerged as the preferred BMP, aligning with the prominent water quality indicator, presence of waste (faeces, plastics) around the riverbank or in the river, identified by stakeholders in Stage 1. Effective solid waste management, sometimes challenging 44 , 45 , can be an important part in mitigating water pollution 45 – 47 . Challenges include increasing waste volumes, financial constraints, limitations within existing containment systems 44 as well as limited public awareness about recycling, a shortage of engineering expertise in waste management, substandard service delivery, and a lack of effective educational campaigns 45 .…”

A study of illegal dumping near coastal zones and waterways in Grenada: Advancing waste management solutions and reducing marine litter

“…Illegal dumping near waterways and the coast has been found to have a greater impact on downstream water quality compared to dumping that occurs farther away [41]. Fig 1 illustrates a concentration of illegal dumping sites along the coast and outskirts of the island, predominantly in the eastern region that faces the Atlantic.…”

“…This research not only identifies the degradation of water quality due to solid waste types but also highlights the encouragement of other detrimental factors, such as rodents and other harmful creatures. Studies [41,44], have conducted assessments of water quality, focusing specifically on physicochemical parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrite, conductivity, and Escherichia coli. These parameters are crucial in indicating the extent of water quality deterioration and the potential risks for human use and long-term biodiversity survival-justified reasons for conducting such assessments.…”