The Impact Of Buhongwa Landfill On The Community Of Mwanza City Council

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

DEDICATION ii

ACKNOWLEDGE~~ iii

ACRONThS iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS V

LIST OF TABLES viii

LIST OF FIGU~S ix

LIST OF PLATES x

ABSTRACT xi

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background I

1.2 Problem Statement 2

1.3 Objectives of the Study 2

1.4 Research questions

1.5 Scope and Significance of the Study 3

CHAPTER¶~ 4

L1TERETURE REVIEW 4

2.1 Sources of Solid Wastes 4

2.2 Effects of poor solid waste management 5

2.3 Effective management of solid waste 18

CHAPTER THREE 21

METHODOLOGY 21

3.1 Introduction 21

3.1.1 Location 21

3.1.2 Geology and Climate 22

3.1.3 Population 22

v

3.1.4 Social economic activities .23

3.2 Research Design 24

3.3 Sample Size and Sample Selection 24

3.4 Method of Data Collection 25

3.4.1 Ouestionnaire and interviews 25

3.4.3 Photo~aphs 25

3.4.4 Secondaty hints 25

3.5 Data Analysis 25

3.6 Problems Faced In Executing the Study 25

CHAPTER FOUR 26

PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS 26

4.0 Introduction 26

4.1 Types and sources of solid waste at Buhongwa landfill 26

4.2 Effects of poor solid waste disposal at Buhongwa landfill 26

4.3 Effects of Environmental Pollution 26

4.3.1 Burning ofsolid wastes 29

4,3.2 Poor leachete control 30

4.3.3 Dumping ofhazardous wastes 30

4.3.5 Air pollution 33

4.3.6 Food contamination 35

4.3. 7Lowfoodproduction 35

4.3.8 Water quality 35

4.4 Measures being taken to protect the Environment 35

CHAPTER FIVE 37

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 37

5.1 Conclusion 37

5.2 Recommendation 37

5.2.1 Establish leachete confrol ~stem 38

5.2.2 Establish separation methods ofSW 38

vi

5.2.3 Fence construction .38

5.2.4 Control offood contamination by toxic substances 38

5.2.5 Awareness campaigns 38

5.2.6 Construction ofIncinerators 39

2.2.7 Supportive supervision 39

BIBLIOGRAPHY 40

APPENDICES 43

APPENDIX I:The Report of Communicable and Non Communicable Diseases ofMwanza City

Council Year 2004 43

APPENDIX II:The Report of Communicable and Non Communicable Diseases ofMwanza City

Council Year 2006 45

APPENDIX III:The Report of Communicable and Non Communicable Diseases of Mwanza City

Council Year 2007 47

APPENDIX IV:Carcinogenic Diseases 49

APPENDIX V:QUESTIONNAIRE 50

APPENDIX VI:INTRODUCTORY LETTER 54

APPENDIX VII: THE MAP OF MWANZA CITY SHOWING LOCATION OF BUHONGWA

LANDFILL 55

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5.2.3 Fence cons~z,ction .38

5.2.4 Control offood contamination by toxic substances 38

5.2.5 Awareness campaigns 38

5.2.6 consfruction qflncineratois 39

2.2.7 Supportive supe1~ision 39

BIBLIOGRAPHY 40

APPENDICES

APPENDIX I:The Report of Communicable and Non Communicable Diseases of Mwanza City

Council Year 2004

APPENDIX II:The Report of Communicable and Non Communicable Diseases ofMwanza City

Council Year 2006 45

APPENDIX IILThe Report of Communicable and Non Communicable Diseases ofMwanza City

Council Year 2007 47

APPENDIX IV:Carcinogenic Diseases 49

APPENDIX V:QUESTIONNAIRE 50

APPENDIX VI:TETRODIJCTORY LETTER 54

vii

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Hazardous Substances Their Sources and Toxic Effects 15

Table 2: Forms of environmental pollution at Buhongwa landfill 27

Table 3: Causes of Environmental Pollution 28

Table 4: Shows effects of environmental pollution per sector 29

ABSTRACT

An investigation of the impact of Buhongwa landfill on the Environment was conducted in

Buhongwa ward in Mwanza City Council. Buhongwa landfill is located at Buhongwa 5 km from

city centre at south-west of Mwanza city council. Trench method is applied at Buhongwa landfill

where a tractor is used for preparation of trenches and covering the waste by using soil. The

variables considered include; forms of environmental pollution, its effects on the environment

and solution being put in place. In this survey 75 respondents were selected.

This was done by using a general survey research design, and methods used in data collection

were; focus group discussion, interviews, questionnaires, observation and photographs of the

existing situation.

The study revealed that the major forms of environmental pollution in Buhongwa landfill were;

water sources pollution 40 %, agricultural land pollution 40 %, and air pollution 20 %.

According to respondents agricultural land and water sources pollution are dominating.

The study further revealed that environmental pollution affects health of people, quality of food

produced, and quality of water supplied in Mwanza city. The previous researchers established

different interventions to overcome these problems. these includes; provision of wheel loader for

covering the waste, construction of a small fence at main entrance, and provision of landfill

supervisors. However, this study came up with recommendations such as strengthening of

environmental education, provision of leachete control system, establishment of solid waste

separation methods; identify sources of pollution and looking for measures on how to control the

existing situation.