Water quality and pollution loading of a river segment affected by landfill leachate and domestic waste

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Marikina River in the Philippines has been polluted by Payatas landfill leachate, and domestic and agricultural waste. This study monitored the water quality at five stations on the river and two stations on two creeks that discharge to the river to determine the effects of Payatas landfill and to estimate pollution loading. The dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and other water quality parameters were compared with the Philippines Standards for river water classification. It was found that Payatas leachate has a significant influence on the DO and COD levels as well as other water quality parameters. Per capita pollution loading for Quezon City was found to be lower than for Europe and Japan. The effect of leachate is more significant during the dry season. It is recommended that a leachate collection system be established to prevent leachate form entering Payatas creek, and that the Patayas landfill be replaced with a modern landfill site, conforming to current best practice at another location. List of Abbreviation: BOD= Biological Oxygen Demand COD = Chemical Oxygen Demand DO = Dissolved Oxygen EC = Electrical Conductivity M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 = monitoring stations TDS = Total Dissolved Solids TSS = Total Suspended Solids