Poor Handling of Municipal Solid Wastes: Pollution of Groundwater by Heavy Metals in Omagba, Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria
##article.abstract##
Municipal solid wastes generated in cities of developing democracies are risks to the environment and public health merely because they are poorly handled. Thus, this study was focused on groundwater pollution by infiltration of heavy metals arising from poor handling of municipal solid wastes climaxed at dump sites in Omagba, Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. The objective of the study was to assess the extent of groundwater pollution by the heavy metals. The method of data collection was through laboratory analysis of water samples collected from boreholes. Data generated by this method was analyzed using tables, line graphs and single-factor index analysis. The result of the study showed that water samples collected from boreholes proximal to municipal solid waste dumpsites have higher concentrations of heavy metals compared with water sample collected from a borehole far away from the dumpsites. Pollution by the heavy metals is in the order of Cr > As > Cd > Hg> Cu > Zn > Pb. Public awareness on the consequences of poor handling of municipal solid wastes, monitoring of boreholes and regular collection and disposal of municipal solid wastes on equitable basis are needed in Omagba as some elements of sustainable solid waste management, which is an integral component of sustainable development to redress this problem
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