CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Of Study.

Today, many countries suffer from the depletion of natural resources as a result of population increase and industrialization. Owing to these developments, it has become more urgent than ever before to take precautionary measures in view of repairing the already existing damages and to prevent expected (future) hazards.

Resources to be protected include water, soil, and air which suffer pollution from landfills, industrial sites, and other areas used by man (Knödel et al,  2007).  Water is one of the most valuable natural resources because it supplies both the animal and plant kingdoms with daily substances as well as provides highways for transportation (Wisler and Brater, 1959).

Without water, no form of life will be possible. However, it can also be a source of destruction through floods and storms as it affects life, transports waste to soil (through groundwater percolation) and other water bodies; erodes and carries away many tons of fertile soil into the sea. Unfortunately, the current global increase in population has enhanced increased demand for water resources.

The sustainable management of solid waste systems is absolutely necessary in order to minimise environmental and public health risks worldwide (Manga et al, 2007). The balance between the specific components of this system in delivering sustainable waste management is already well understood and established in most developed countries, unlike in some developing countries like Cameroon. Waste management could be efficient through the involvement of all stakeholders, that is, the waste generators, waste processors, formal and informal sectors, financial institutions, and private initiatives such as non-governmental and community-based organisations (Manga et al., 2007).

In Cameroon, like many African countries, waste management is poorly practiced. Results of research carried out by Manga et al, (2007) indicate that solid waste management services are rudimentary; they essentially collect and dump waste without proper management methods. This form of management is due to factors like inadequate financial resources, low levels of law enforcement and poor governance, lack of human resources, only to name a few.

Moreover, current regulations do not adequately address waste handling or disposal and there exists an inefficient implementation of waste management policies and documentation due to the devolved responsibilities between several government agencies and the local councils (Manga et al, 2007).

This scarcity of literature is inadequate for the proper functioning of waste management units. In effect, waste management in Limbe is inefficient in hazard minimisation since sustained efforts have not been made in the direction of waste collection, transportation, treatment, and final disposal.

Groundwater is a very important resource that is undergoing a lot of contamination and must be protected. This is water found beneath the ground surface and constitutes about 4% of water in the hydrologic cycle (Wanielista et al, 1997; Ward and Elliot, 1995).

It is the most important source of drinking water in many parts of the world because it is believed to be the safest source of pure water, but it is very vulnerable to contamination. It is also believed that groundwater is an inexhaustible resource, but reality has proven it to show signs of scarcity (Wisler and Brater, 1959). Over-pumping of this resource encourages the infiltration of surface water which goes along with its pollutants (Botkin and Keller, 1995).

1.2 Problem of statement.

The situation of waste management in the majority of the developing countries’ cities is reaching a level of a major social and environmental challenge. The serious situation of environmental degradation and health risk due to the poorly developed Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) system is now a reality in many cities in developing countries in general and Cameroon in particular.

Nguyen et al (2011) conclude that a majority of the substances found in MSW in developing countries include paper, kitchen waste, plastics, metals, textiles, rubber, and glass. Environmental issues such as global warming are becoming more and more important and are very timely for our society. Besides new stricter governmental regulations, a growing number of local councils are implementing extensive sustainable and waste management programs and targets into the agenda of their own free will.

Council and individuals are expected to function ethnically and in an environmentally friendly manner in addition to being economically beneficial, they need to starts paying more attention to environmental issues specifically waste management.

Solid Waste management is one of the major problems faced by different cities all over the world. The problem is particularly due to urbanization, industrialization, poor urban planning, and lack of adequate resources which contribute to the enormous amount of solid waste generation. This problem has resulted in serious environmental, social, economic complications in developing countries like Cameroon.

Population growth and dynamic economic activities in and around the city have resulted in a serious waste management crisis. Domestic, industrial, and other wastes, whether they are of low or medium-level wastes, are causing environmental pollution and have become perennial problems to mankind (Ramasamy, 2003).

1.3. Research Question.

1.3.1 Main research question.

What are the implications of solid waste management on groundwater in the Limbe Municipality?

1.3.2 Specific Research Questions

1. What are the causes of solid waste management in Limbe 1?
2. What are the factors challenging solid waste management in Limbe 1?
3. How does Solid waste management affect groundwater?
4. What are the possible solutions to mitigate the negative implication of solid waste management on groundwater in Limbe 1?