Runoff from the Duboko landfill pollutes surface and underground water
Western Serbia is suffocating in a cloud of toxic smoke from the “Duboko” landfill, but also in the irresponsibility of local officials, national institutions and the management of PUK Duboko, as the operator of the landfill. In addition to the pressing problem, an ongoing one has also surfaced – water pollution with leachate from the “Duboko” landfill, warns the Right to Water initiative and Libergraf from Užice.
If the leachate from landfills is not collected and purified, it pollutes underground and surface water. The “Duboko” sanitary landfill has a built-in impervious surface that prevents leachate from seeping into the ground. There is also a collection lagoon for that water, as well as a planned purification system. Despite the fact that the “Duboko” landfill has an impermeable surface, due to the neglect and then the filling of sanitary cassettes, the drainage water collection system is out of order, and purification has never been established.
The landfill leachate completely devastated the nearby Turski Potok, through which the pollution continues to the Luznica and Skrapež rivers, important watercourses of the Western Morava basin. Activists of these two initiatives have seen for themselves the condition of the surrounding watercourses, and will try to do an independent analysis of the sample.
Wastewater from landfills contains various toxic and carcinogenic substances, such as heavy metals, nitrites, ammonia and other organic compounds. The negative impact of runoff on surface waters is maintained through disruption of the natural balance in the watercourse, lack of oxygen in parts of the watercourse, changes in flora and fauna. These waters are used by farmers and herders of this region, which causes pollution to enter the food production system.
The right to water and Libergraf demand that in the planning of rehabilitation and further development of the landfill, responsible collection and processing of waste water from the “Duboko” landfill must also be planned, without which one cannot talk about a safe environment in this area.
