Water Quality and Perception of the Population about Water Pollution Problems at Communities near the Landfill Site of the Khon Kaen Municipality, Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

This investigation was conducted as a cross sectional descriptive study from June
2010 to April 2011. The objective was to study water quality and the perception of
the population about water pollution problems of communities near the landfill site
at Khon Kaen Municipality, Khon Kaen Province. Information was obtained by
analyzing the water quality and questioning 323 households situated near the
landfill site. The data was analyzed using conventional descriptive statistics. Mainly
rain water (to 90%) was used as drinking water by the residents near the landfill
site. The majority (69.8%) of the resident’s claimed that the quality of drinking
water deteriorated. When comparing the quality of the drinking water presently
with 1 to 5 years before, the quality of the water became worse. Water used for
other purposes than drinking was derived mainly from groundwater (80.3%).
Groundwater was found to be contaminated with heavy metals, coliform bacteria
and fecal coliform bacteria. This especially was true for Ban Kombon, which is
located nearest to the landfill site. Lead and manganese contamination exceeded
water quality standards. Water resources for agriculture purposes in the study area
included the Samjan reservoir and Huai Mak Ngo, BOD. The lead and manganese
contamination of the water from the reservoir exceeded that of surface water used
for agricultural purposes and consumption. Communities found to be affected by
water pollution included Ban Non, Ban Ton, Ban Tonmai and Ban Bung Kae, because
of the northwards direction of leachate flow towards Huai Mak N which finally are
channeled into the Pong River. The results of this study demonstrate that
communities near the landfill site suffering from water pollution with
contaminations derived from the landfill site. Agencies responsible should
continuously investigate the situation and work out a plan for monitoring water
pollution.