Leachate Characterization and Management at Sisdol Landfill Site in Nepal

Abstract

Sisdol Landfill Site (SLS) receives over 800 tons of solid wastes daily generated from eighteen municipalities of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Leachate management is an urgent issue at the SLS where current facilities of leachate treatment are non-engineered. The untreated leachate is discharged directly into nearby Kolpu River resulting in serious environmental and health concerns. In this context, the present study investigated the physico-chemical characteristics of the landfill leachate collected in the dry season (February 2018). The analysis showed high values for total nitrogen (3226–3536 mg/L), ammonia nitrogen (3022–3268 mg/L), organic dry matter (6498–8980 mg/L), BOD (3600–3700 mg/L), COD (7392–7560 mg/L), total solids (17988–18130 mg/L) and iron (11.33–13.31 mg/L). Based on the observed leachate quality and review of the available treatment technologies, the present study proposed combinations of various low-cost leachate treatment options to improve the overall leachate quality. However, pilot scale studies are recommended prior to up scaling the technologies to the entire SLS.