Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Quarry landfill on a topographic high is also problematic as it forms a groundwater
recharge zone.
This study has identified some serious environmental contamination problems at the
two sites, and although mitigatory measures are recommended, these shall not restore the
local groundwater to pristine quality. What can be done is to avoid such problems
recurring elsewhere. The only way to avoid the seriousness of the problems reported in
this study is for future landfill and cemetery sites to be identified by
Figure 7.17. Spatial variation of
phosphate in groundwater, Granville
Cemetery 'B' (Values are in mg/l).
geotechnical mapping. The necessary data on soil types, groundwater levels and so on is
already available (Mupaya 2002). Sites that have already been identified for future use
(HCMPPA 1989) should be reviewed in the light of geotechnical mapping and the results
of this study. For example, the selection of future solid waste disposal sites in the Mount
Hampden area, north of Harare, is motivated more by the projected availability of
abandoned brick-field quarries than any geotechnical or environmental considerations
(Rakodi 1995). Once more environmentally and technically appropriate sites have been
identified, then the land could be purchased or acquired by the city of Harare.
Acknowledgements
- The data presented and discussed in this paper were collected as
part of the “Harare Urban Groundwater Project” funded by WARFSA and incorporate
work carried out by Mr. Moyce and Mrs. Nyama as part of their B.Sc. Honours studies at
the University of Zimbabwe (Moyce 2003, Nyama 2003). The authors would like to
thank the Department of Health of the Harare City Council for information and support.
