Sanitary landfill siting in the Ga-South municipality using multi-criteria evaluation techniques
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Date
September, 2018
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Abstract
Landfilling is the most commonly employed method of managing solid waste, particularly
in Africa. The purpose of this study was to locate areas in the Ga South Municipality
where waste could be properly managed and manned, in order to protect citizens and the
environment in general. This study sought to identify suitable areas, to serve as landfill
sites, specifically for dumping of waste generated in the study area and its environs,
employing Multi-criteria Decision Making Techniques in a Geographic Information
Systems environment. GIS was used in overlaying different thematic maps, which have the
same spatial reference, so as to generate a suitability map for landfill sites. Environmental,
economic and social criteria were considered, each possessing a level of importance in
determining the final outcome. The Analytical Hierarchy Procedure, was employed to
determine the significant role of each criteria in finding a suitable site. Factors considered
include railway line, settlements, and waterbodies, roads, geology, slope and fault lines.
The criteria were standardized to their respective scale before overlay analysis was carried
out. In undertaking overlay analysis, input map layers were created for each feature and
with the help of the weighted overlay tool in ArcGIS 10.3, all the criteria were combined
using their respective weights of importance. The final suitability map generated showed
areas deemed most suitable for landfill siting purposes and development. Six sites were
finally selected and ranked accordingly. 8.953 km2
, representing 2.62% of the total land
size was determined to be most suitable in siting landfills. The findings from the study
indicate most suitable sites that can be used for landfilling. Selection of landfill sites
should therefore consider extensive economic, social and environmental factors through
the Multi-criteria decision approach.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Environmental Science, College of Science, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy,
Keywords
Sanitary landfill, Ga-South, Evaluation techniques