Solid Waste Management Practice And Its Impacts On Drainage System And Environment In Asela Town

Abstract

Improper solid waste management has become a major environmental problem in Assela town. In-adequate solid waste management in the town has resulted in the accumulation of waste on open lands, in drains and in the residential areas, causing a nuisance and foul smelling pools, environmental pollution through leachate from piles and burning of waste, clogging of drains. This study was, conducted to assess the existing situation of SWM, public participation and its impact on drainage and environment in the town. Different sampling methods were employed to select the study units like stratified sampling, techniques and purposive sampling. Even though most of the collected data from the interviewed respondents were qualitative in nature, it was also supported by quantitative information collected through survey and secondary sources. The study was conducted on randomly selected 137 households that are estimated to represent all classes of income levels; low, middle and high. The alternative disposal methods within the category of illegal solid waste disposal practice (94%). From those respondents who use unauthorized means of disposal sites, majority of the respondents (4%) answered as they simply burn solid wastes inside their fence and on the roadside. However, about 51% of the respondents replied that they disposed their solid wastes in near riverside; similarly, about 2% of them were dumping their solid wastes on their back yard. In addition, from the selected samples, 38% and 5% were disposed their solid wastes on space and other alternatives respectively. Drainage system are blocked by solid and liquid wastes of various types leading to flash flooding this can affect surface water quality of the town and environment as well. Therefore, the best ways that used to tackle the above problems are: implementation of sustainable solid waste management practices through awareness creation and training, improvement of sanitation, beautification and parking sector institutional structure and budget allocation, implement of rules, regulation, and involvement of community in solid waste management practices with all stakeholders. Since solid waste needs proper management and disposal practices at a source, the generated solid wastes should be arrange and identified at the source for further use. The developed solid waste management and disposal strategies expect to provide guidelines for proper management and disposal practices of the generated solid wastes. Therefore, the town municipality together with the concerned bodies should implement the developed solid waste management and disposal strategies in order to bring significant change in solid waste management and disposal practice of the town.