The Impact of Leachate on the Quality of Surface and Groundwater and Proposal of Measures for Pollution Remediation

Directdischarge of municipal and industrial waste waters and leachate (originatingfrom the illegal landfills) into recipients without prior purification isunfortunately very common practice in the region of northern Kosovo. Inaddition, irresponsible and incorrect selection of sites for industrial andmunicipal dumps, which are often located in vicinity or on actual river banks,contributes significantly to environmental pollution. Analysis of the leachatefrom such sites was done by direct sampling and by using TCLP (ToxicityCharacteristic Leashing Procedures) method. Based on the analysis ofphysicochemical parameters of the filtrated water from the sites Zitkovac,Grabovac and Balaban and analysis of the samples of surface water andgroundwater from the site Grabovac, possible steps for removal and reduction ofthe existing pollution were proposed. Potential permanent solution in form ofpurification of municipal and industrial waste waters as well as leachate fromillegal landfills was suggested. The potential implementation of remediationwith a unified system for water purification, by using Membrane Bio Reactor(MBR), which includes the process of stabilization/solidification of a residualsludge, would have as an end product a neutral powder material completely safefor the environment, suitable for a variety of applications.