GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION FROM WASTE STORAGE WORKS

Groundwater is an important source of drinking water, especially for rural population. In the last years, bacteria, nitrate, organic chemicals and other pollutants existing in groundwater have increased public concern about the quality of groundwater. Groundwater provides about 22% of all freshwater withdrawals; 37% of agricultural use (mostly for irrigation); 37% of the public water supply withdrawals; 51% of all drinking water for the total population and 99% of drinking water for the rural population; 46% of domestic and commercial use; 24% of industrial and mining use. The most severe groundwater quality depreciation appeared in the rural built-up area, where the lack of minimum public facilities allows liquid waste to reach directly or indirectly into the groundwater. The paper analyzes the soil and groundwater behaviour in the presence of three of the most significant sources of groundwater contamination due to waste storage works: sewer lines, septic tanks and landfills.