Academic literature on the topic 'Waste disposal sites – KwaZulu-Natal – Pietermaritzburg'

The constitutional democracy in South Africa, ushered in by the first democratic elections of 1994, has opened up opportunities for the rise of various issues that were previously marginalised. The current political dispensation, supported by new progressive legislation, has rendered reckless management of waste management unacceptable. As a result, the management of waste, particularly the dominant landfill site waste management facilities, has come under increasing scrutiny from civil society organisations, the public and affected communities. Whilst the new constitutional order has demarcated responsibility for the management of solid waste, reality indicates that in spite of various legislative attempts to ensure the institutionalisation of sound and integrated waste management, solid waste is still poorly managed by responsible authorities. It has also been evident that many municipalities in South Africa still rely on the problematic landfill sites as the dominant waste disposal facility, this despite the obvious environmental problems that land filling engenders. It has been noted that waste problems are still marginalised from the mainstream development initiatives of responsible municipalities. The poor management of solid waste and the negation of responsibility, as in the case in the Msunduzi Municipality, are indicative of the politics involved in the identification of policy issues that government attends to from the available pool of existing social concerns. The failure to find policy solutions to identified waste problems in the Msunduzi Municipality has provoked questions around how policy issues negotiate their way onto the government agenda. The biggest issue from a public policy perspective is how does government decide on which issues they will address amongst the numerous and equally pressing social problems that warrant government attention. Using Kingdon‟s agenda-setting theory, this dissertation found that problem definition, policy dynamics and political interests all play influential roles in the agenda status of social problems and whether they are addressed or not. As a result, the study argues that there must be positive interaction between the three, problem, policy and political streams, in order to produce a solution to the policy issues of waste management in the Msunduzi Municipality.
Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

Municipal Solid Waste generation has become an inevitable consequence of lifestyles and daily living. However, the nature (quantity and quality) of this waste stream can vary and is largely dependent upon the manner in which waste production is managed, by both government and the public. The increasing practices of littering, dumping and burning of solid waste by households (and industries though not extensively dealt with in this study) in South Africa has led to the finding that municipal solid waste is being irresponsibly managed. In this regard, it becomes necessary to investigate the attitudes and behaviour of individuals and households toward solid waste practices, which further include mitigating measures such as reduction, reuse and recycling for the generation of solid waste. The role of the South African government in providing a refuse removal and safe disposal service to all citizens is suggestive of the responsible role of government to ensure that solid waste is being effectively managed by all sectors of society. The aims of this study in light of the above were to review the municipal solid waste policies and strategies of local government authorities in South Africa, highlighting the shortcomings and discrepancies that exist between legislative policies and actual management practices; which is also reflective of the attitudes and approaches to solid waste management by households. This was achieved by focusing on the case study of the Msunduzi Municipality and included investigations into socio-economic and cultural influences on solid waste disposal practices. The objectives of the study were achieved by means of a questionnaire survey that elicited specific responses from 650 sampled households in five suburbs of differing socio-economic status. A further analysis to identify the nature of household municipal solid waste for landfilling from three suburbs of differing socio-economic status was conducted by categorizing 25 tons of garbage at the New England Road Landfill Site, leading to inferences about consumer purchasing power and disposal practices. Further, key personnel in the Msunduzi Municipality’s waste management division were interviewed to ascertain the solid waste challenges faced at local municipal and national levels of government. The study revealed several significant findings of which the most important is that the implementation of South Africa’s national municipal solid waste legislation policies and strategies are inconsistent with local government practices and procedures; thus compromising equity, efficiency, effectiveness and the sustainability of municipal solid waste disposal. Factors contributing to this are shown to be inadequate management and service delivery. The research has shown that monitoring and control systems which purported to ensure environmental sustainability are lacking and inadequately address issues where the implementation of municipal solid waste regulations are in contravention with national solid waste policies. The outcomes of the questionnaire survey and the assessment of household municipal solid waste for landfilling reveal that socio-economic status and culture do in fact influence the nature of solid waste and the disposal methods used by residents. The receptiveness of households towards adopting suggested municipal solid waste disposal practices was also investigated. The non-compliance of residents with municipal solid waste legislation and policies points towards a lack of monitoring and control measures, thereby not providing for a sustained and adequate service delivery which is environmentally sound. The research further suggests that all sectors of the South African public and the government are inadequately informed in terms of aspects of municipal solid waste. This has led the researcher to recommend that further education and awareness campaigns and its role in environmental sustainability are needed so that a sharing of responsibility between government and the public can be effected to aid municipal solid waste management in the country. It is argued that the insight into the roles of socio-economic status and cultural influences over solid waste practices provide a platform from which municipal authorities can work to specifically address the problems associated with municipal solid waste at a community level. It is the task of the national government to ensure that South Africa’s municipal solid waste is being responsibly managed at the local municipal levels so that the health and safety of the environment and its citizens are suitably addressed, hence the focusing on solid waste legislation and national policies (which have been recognized internationally as being environmentally sound and sustainable) must be translated in terms that local municipalities can adopt, assuming that they have been sufficiently empowered in terms of both knowledge and adequate budgeting.
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

This study involved an assessment of the Pietermaritzburg Waste Minimisation Club (PWMC) during 2001, and a waste minimisation audit conducted at two coil coating lines. Waste minimisation is the reduction or elimination of waste at source4 • It is often achieved through waste minimisation clubs which comprise a small number of companies, generally in the same geographicaI area, that are interested in reducing waste 1"711 . The success of the PMWC was evaluated in terms of the degree to which members implemented waste minimisation principles. Two questionnaires were used to assess the success of the club. These indicated that although the training material gave the members a good understanding of the basic principles of waste minimisation, the material has not given the members enough practical information to implement a waste minimisation programme in their companies. The main barriers to waste minimisation identified include production pressure, operational constraints, lack of human resources and a lack of management time. The drivers for waste minimisation were financial savings, improved plant utilisation and improved environmental performance. Coil coating is a continuous process where a coiled sheet of aluminium is cleaned, pretreated and coated with paint. The flow rates, compositions and costs of all input and output streams to the cleaning and pretreatment sections were gathered from operators or measured. The data were collected over a three-month period to obtain a representative sample, and then analysed to determine waste minimisation opportunities using mass balances, monitoring and targeting, a scoping audit and a true cost of waste assessment. The scoping audit was found to be the most useful technique because it accurately prioritised the waste minimisation opportunities but required a relatively small amount of data for its application. However, the scoping audit underestimated the savings that could be achieved at the coil coating department and therefore the 'scope to save' percentages, which were developed for United Kingdom industries, need modification to better reflect South African industry. Opportunities for waste minimisation on Coil Coating Line 1 (CCL1) included reducing the water consumption, reducing the acid and chromium raw materials consumption, and finding a cheaper energy source for heating the process and rinse tanks. Potential fmancial savings of R116 000 and environmental savings of 18 200 kL of water or effluent per year were calculated for CCL1. The chromium and acid effluent treatment and solid waste disposal are the main areas for waste minimisation on Coil Coating Line 2 (CCL2). Savings could be achieved in these areas by using roller application ofthe chromium pretreatment rather than spray application, and by preventing a leak of chromium pretreatment into the acid process and rinse tanks. Other savings can also be achieved by operating the chromium process tank as a fed-batch process, and operating the alkali and acid process tanks as continuous processes at the specified chemical concentrations and with recycle of the rinse water (dragout). The total financial savings that can be achieved on CCL2 are R5.3 million, and potential environmental savings are 31 600 kL ofeffluent per year.
Thesis (M.Sc.)- University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

The dissertation analyses the economic and ecological aspects of Darvill Waste Water Works (WWW) through key indicators from Sustainable Development Records (SDR). The SDR study identifies disturbances caused by large concentrations of soap, oil and grease (SaG), therefore a framework of proposed solutions to dealing with these problems has also been investigated. The first component of the study highlights the importance of adequate indicators. Key indicators provide important information that is useful to management and policy makers. The SDR used to analyse the DarvillWWW in Pietermaritzburg provides relevant information for the management of Darvill WWW and Umgeni Water (UW), the City Council and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF). According to the SDR model the Works is identified as a service providing social institution. The operation of this institution affects the community of Pietermaritzburg as well as the surrounding natural environment. SDR uses the key indicators of effectiveness, Thrift and Margin to analyse the economic and ecological impacts of the service provided.The study incorporates relevant data for Darvill WWW during 1993- 1996. Effectiveness measures the degree of compliance with national water quality standards as set out by the DWAF. Compliance of the following variables, E.coli, Chlorine, Soluble Reactive Phosphate (SRP), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Conductivity, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Ammonia were investigated. These variables produce varying trends. Increasing compliance is linked to improved plant efficiency while decreasing compliance is linked to the poor quality of industrial effluent. Industrial effluent containing large concentrations of SOG is a particular problem. Thrift measures the costs of operating the Works in terms of energy, chemicals, labour and capital. Overall financial, energy and labour thrift declined while chemical thrift increased. Increasing chemical thrift is due to the reduced consumption of chemicals as a result of a greater reliance on the process of biological phosphate removal. Decreasing thrift is related to increased costs of capital, energy and labour due to the deteriorating quality of vegetable oil effluent. Margin measures the deviation of non-complying samples from water quality standards. Analysis of the data produced varying trends. The following variables were analysed, E.coli, Chlorine, SRP, TSS, Conductivity, COD and Ammonia. Marginal difference is studied in an attempt to analyse those samples which do not comply with national standards. Deteriorating quality of industrial effiuent seems to be the reason for deviation from the standards. Chemical margin was also studied for the period between 1993-1996. Chemical margin is a comparison between the value of sludge produced and the cost of chemicals used to produce the sludge. The SDR study highlights deteriorating quality of industrial effluent as a cause for concern to Darvill WWW. Proposed management options are investigated to provide a workable solution. The second part of the study investigates alternate options for handling wet industrial effluent from the vegetable oil industries. These industries were identified as the source of large concentrations of SOG that were entering the Works which impacts negatively on the operational capacity, thereby increasing operating costs and decreasing the quality of the service provided. Vegetable oil industries were found guilty of discharging industrial effluent that did not meet the City standards into the sewers, they were also charged with illegal dumping into rivers. The study identified the interested and affected parties and alternate solutions were proposed to the problems. Interested and affected parties include UW, Pietermaritzburg City Council, DWAF. Some of the aspects that were investigated include the local industrial tariff, the drainage By-laws, national legislation, the "polluter pays" principle and the principle of pollution prevention. Economic incentives using economic instruments were reviewed. These include ecotaxes such as marketable/tradable permits and pollution charges. These instruments may allow for more equitable charges thereby promoting the "polluter pays" principle. The use of these instruments may be able to achieve a workable solution but further investigations are necessary. SDR analysis indicates that Darvill WWW seems to be effectively treating wastewater but operating costs are increasing in order to achieve compliance. These costs are being unfairly borne by the City ratepayers and UW and a more equitable situation is necessary.
Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1997.

Most waste generated in South Africa is sent to landfills for disposal, and although it is confined in specific areas, it can potentially affect both above and below ground water resources, impacting environmental and public health. This is particularly relevant in a country where water supplies are limited and groundwater resources are prone to pollution. The primary objective of this study was to assess the performance of an upflow packed-bed bioreactor purposedesigned for the treatment of leachates produced by landfills in the Durban Metropolitan Area (DMA). The effect of parameters such as the nature of the biofilm support matrix, aeration rate and recycle rate on the efficacy of the system were investigated. Another major aim of the project was to develop a low maintenance technology that could, nonetheless, bioremediate leachate effectively at minimum cost. This aspect of process design is a crucial factor in areas where there is a shortage of both funds and skilled labour. The glass 132 l packed-bed upflow bioreactor was evaluated by measuring its efficiency in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD) reduction and ammonia removal. The bioreactor could be configured as a batch-type system, which was useful for comparing operating conditions; or as a continuous cascade system, which was used to assess its overall performance. Different biofilm support matrices viz. various grades of pine bark, plastic bioballs and ceramic noodles were evaluated in 22 l batch-type reactors. Leachates from five landfill sites were remediated during the course of the study, and only the leachate from Shongweni landfill, which had a remarkably low BOD:COD ratio (0.05), was intractable and could not be successfully treated; even in flask trials designed to test strategies such as augmentation of microflora and biostimulation. The other leachates investigated were from the Umlazi, Marianhill, Bisarsar Road (all general sites) and Bul-Bul Drive (a semi-hazardous site) landfills, all of which were remediated to some degree. Originally, leachate from the Umlazi landfill site was used, but it became unavailable when the site closed enforcing the use of other leachates for the remainder of the investigation. Leachates from Marianhill, Bisarsar Road and Bul-Bul Drive were treated simultaneously in duplicate operating the six-chambered bioreactor in the batchtype configuration. The highest COD removal efficiency (49 %) was obtained in the chambers treating the Bul-Bul Drive leachate, which was therefore used for further investigations. This leachate had the highest BOD:COD ratio and was therefore expected to be the most suited to biological remediation. The bioreactor performed best when plastic bioballs were used as biofilm support matrix with a relatively low level of aeration, although the uncomposted form of pine bark was used initially as the support matrix because it is inexpensive and readily available in South Africa. However, although satisfactory COD reduction (30 – 61 %) and ammonia removal (87 – 98 %) was achieved when the Umlazi leachate was treated, the possibility of compounds leaching out of the bark and affecting the quality of the treated leachate was a concern. Also, pine bark would be prone to mechanical degradation in a full scale operation. Of the other solid support matrices tested using the Bul-Bul leachate, COD removal efficiencies were superior with plastic bioballs (60 %) than with pine bark chips (29 %). The former therefore became the preferred biofilm support matrix. Aeration level did influence bioremediation of the Umlazi landfill leachate since those chambers aerated with an aquarium pump (0.05 – 0.1 litres air/litre leachate/min; 60 % COD removal) performed better than those aerated with a blower (0.6 -0.7 litres air/litre leachate/min; 42 % COD removal) and those that remained unaerated (44 % COD removal). Recycle rate did not significantly affect bioremediation, but the performance of the system was higher when operated in batch mode (up to 60 % influent COD removal), rather than in continuous flow-through (cascade) mode when only 37 % of the influent COD in the Bul-Bul leachate was removed. Under the latter conditions, most of the reduction occurred in the first four chambers and very little biodegradation occurred in the final two chambers. The cascade-mode will require some refinement to enhance the COD removal efficiencies achieved. However, it did eliminate 89 % of the BOD present in the raw leachate, producing a treated effluent with a consistent BOD:COD ratio of 0.05. The COD removal efficiencies achieved covered a wide range from a minimum of 23 % with Marianhill leachate to a maximum of 63 % with leachate from Bul-Bul Drive. These results are comparable with many of those reported by other authors treating landfill leachate. Up to 98 % of the ammonia was removed when the Umlazi leachate was treated. However, ammonia removal from the other leachates tested was erratic. Although the treated leachate from this system could not be released into the environment without further remediation, the reduction in concentration of pollutants would allow its return to the local water supply via a wastewater treatment plant. This was achieved without temperature and pH regulation or addition of extraneous nutrient sources. A cost-effective, low maintenance technology such as this one would be a useful tool for the treatment of effluents such as landfill leachate in countries like South Africa where although water conservation is urgently required, resources for highly sophisticated effluent remediation are often not readily available.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

Waste is commonly disposed in landfills, this result in the formation of leachate which needs to be treated to acceptable standards before being discharged to the environment. High concentrations of pollutants, particularly ammonia, in the landfill leachate are persistent even after the closure of the landfill and it requires ad hoc treatment. Treated leachate can still be characterized by high concentrations of nitrates, which exceeds the discharge standards. This phenomenon is observed in the Mariannhill landfill site in Durban, where leachate is nitrified in a Sequencing batch reactor and produces effluent with over 1000 mg/l (Trois et al, 2010a). Denitrification can be used to remove nitrate concentrations, this process occurs under anoxic conditions in the presence of an external carbon source. Denitrification treatment methods utilize chemicals such as methanol and ethanol as carbon sources, but the large scale application of these chemicals is often uneconomical. This research aims at identifying the cost effective treatment system for bio-denitrification that utilizes commercial garden refuse (CGR raw and lightly composted for 10 weeks “CGR 10”) as carbon sources. The feasibility checks for applying these substrates were based on the efficiency and kinetics of nitrate removal over a short and long-term period, thus providing the estimates for operational procedures. Initial characterization tests, batch and column tests were performed in the lab towards achieving the aim of this research. All batch tests achieved 100% of nitrate removal, but CGR raw was faster than CGR 10 with a time difference of 16% and 20% for batches at 100 and 500 mg/L, respectively. The significant difference in the kinetic removal efficiency was observed in batch tests at 2000 mg/L, where CGR raw was about 18 times faster than CGR 10 and about 2 times faster than that of CGR raw at 500 mg/L. Thus, the kinetics of nitrate removal in CGR raw at 2000 mg/L was suspected to be due to chemical reaction other than biological reaction. In the second set of batch tests the kinetics of nitrate removal for CGR raw was about 3 times that of CGR 10. The column tests, which were operated as continuous flow reactor did not achieve full denitrification due to high flow rate applied. First set of column tests (columns A) used previously used substrates to treat synthetic nitrate solution (500 and 2000 mg/L). Second set of column tests (columns B) used fresh substrates to treat pre-treated landfill leachate with nitrate concentration of about 2000 mg/L. CGR 10 achieved better removal efficiency than CGR raw when treating synthetic solution. Whereas, CGR raw achieved better nitrate removal when treating pre-treated landfill leachate. Decrease in flow rate improved the removal efficiency of the substrates. Dilution of nitrified leachate to about 500 mg/L could improve the efficiency of the substrates.
Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

This study investigated the establishment of vegetation cover planted in plug and seedling form in the closure phases of the Umlazi Landfill. It also investigated the various facets of the closure process of the Umlazi Landfill and the effect these have on the establishment and choice of vegetative cover, and the grass technology used to make the establishment of vegetation a success. The setting up of trials and the gathering of basic data were undertaken to assess the alternative vegetation options available to researchers. The cover provided by the grasses was assessed in the investigation. The capping of landfill sites is a relatively new approach and it is soon to become a mandatory requirement by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (Minimum Requirements for Waste Disposal) (DWAF, 1998). This systematic investigation used in the closure of the Umlazi Landfill, will provide a model for the capping of landfills in South Africa. Seeing that this was the first hazardous (H:h) landfill site in the country to be closed according to the Minimum Requirements for Waste Disposal (DWAF, 1998), every attempt was made to ensure that all aspects in the closure of the site met with the Minimum Requirements. The Minimum Requirements document mentions only briefly that the landfill must be vegetated with some grass type. Prior to 1994, capped landfill sites were usually planted with traditional grass seed mixes and these were not widely successful, as seen on many older landfills that have been partially or completely capped, and where vegetation cover is sparse. There is much literature in the developed countries on the closure of landfills (e.g., Erickson, During the site inspections in June 2001 and February 2002, it was noted that many species of alien plants had established themselves in the poor soil conditions. This made it even more important to find indigenous vegetation to vigorously establish itself that would prevent the establishment of alien invaders. Samples of grass species established on some part of the site were also taken for identification. The dominant grass was identified as Cynodon dactylon. In view of establishing a balanced vegetative cover on top of the Umlazi Landfill, Acacia karoo trees (in seedling form) were also planted. Three bunch grass species, Melinis nerviglumis, Melinis minutiflora and Hyparrhenia hirta, were tested to see if thatching grass could be grown on the site to generate a cash crop for local residents of Umlazi township. Preparation and planting of the capped areas took place in the latter part of 2003 and were completed in early 2004. Measurements and field data were recorded and statistically analysed. The trials revealed three key findings: Firstly, both creeping grasses studied, namely Cynodon dactylon var. “Sea Green” and Panicum natalense var. ”Natal Buffalo Grass” grew well on the site. Initially P. natalense grew faster but after a month, C. dactylon overtook it. At the end of the trial (six months, P. natalense provided a higher level of soil cover. However, C. dactylon grew more consistently over this period. Hence both species provided good growth and cover on this site. Secondly the three bunch grasses, Melinis nerviglumis, Melinis minutiflora and Hyparrhenia hirta, all grew well and had similar survival rates. Hence the potential for growing these grasses as a cash crop has potential. Thirdly, all the Acacia karoo trees survived, i.e., they achieved 100% survival. The average height increase and stem width was similar in all trials and growth was consistent over the six month growing period. Hence the tree species would be a good choice for planting on landfills in its ecologically suitable zones. It is therefore feasible to envisage the planting of a mixture of grasses under the cover of A. karoo trees, to provide a balanced mixture of indigenous grasses to cover a freshly capped landfill. Such a system should provide for stable growth of vegetation for many years.
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008

This case study was done in KwaZulu–Natal province in South Africa within two municipalities Ethekwini and Umsunduzi Municipality. Three communities participated in this study. The research is motivated by the lack of cooperation between some municipalities and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in implementing the National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS) at a local level. The primary goal is to explore the availability and development of learning support materials (LSMs) that relates to waste management in collaboration with CBOs and local councillors. The secondary goal is to explore the use of learning support material to promote participation in the implementation of the NWMS. Coresearchers were from the Community Based Organisations as well as local councillors who are located within the communities of these CBOs. Pseudonyms for co-researchers from CBOs and Councillors and the name of their townships have been used to protect co-researchers. A literature review has been conducted to explore research that has been done on the development, usage, accessibility and distribution of the LSMs. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews; field visits to communities, tape recording of discussions and the keeping of a field journal. Some of the key findings included that LSMs is used by both CBOs and Councillors to try to reduce local environmental problems. It also identified that there are no formal mechanisms between CBOs and Municipalities in dealing with waste management programmes within the identified communities. The other important finding was that the participation of CBOs in the development of LSMs normally excludes the user groups as a result language used is not always understood. Illustrations used in some cases may be misinterpreted if the reader is not English literate as most of material in circulation is written in English. Some recommendations for further research have been made in relation to the findings made in the study. These included recommendations on the development, usage of LSMs, participation of stakeholders in resource development within the context of CBOs and local municipalities.

Landfill leachate treatment in South Africa is still in its early stages; research has been conducted but primarily at pilot scale level. Current legislation in South Africa does not prohibit the discharge of landfill leachate into the sewer line, despite the high risk of methane explosions and corrosion of the sewer pipes. Thus, to date, the off site channelling of landfill leachate into the sewer lines for further dilution in municipal wastewater treatment plants is the most common practice. Due to the development of stricter environmental regulations, the design of sustainable landfills is leading to the 'treatment at source' concept. Increasing public pressure is also forcing new landfills to be situated in remote areas where there is no avaliable sewer line to discharge into and 'treatment at source' will be required. Due to these developments, coupled with the lack of full scale leachate treatment experience in South Africa, Durban Solid Waste (The waste service unit of the Durban metropolitan), in an attempt to develop the knowledge and practical experience required for leachate treatment, undertook a research project to investigate the use of nitrification/denitrification pilot scale sequencing batch reactors (SBR) to treat leachate from the Bisasar Road and Mariannhill Landfills. The successful completion of the trials proved that the full removal of nitrogen compounds could be easily achieved, under South African climatic conditions, in a single sludge SBR system. The system was found to be simple to operate and required low maintenance. However, the final effluent required further treatment before it could meet the general discharge standards into natural watercourses. Being South Africa, a 'low gross income' country, it became necessary to consider an appropriate, cost effective and technically feasible 'polishing' treatment system. It was decided that a pilot scale treatment trial, using vegetated submerged bed constructed wetlands, be undertaken to assess the applicability and feasibility of such a passive system for the 'polishing' of the effluent from the pilot scale sequencing batch reactors. The wetland systems were found to be affected by many interrelating climatic factors. The trials concluded that the wetlands could not achieve the required discharge standards, in terms of concentration. However, it also showed that the effluent organics posed no oxygen demand or toxic threat to a receiving environment. The trials showed the ability of the wetlands to behave as mass removal systems, which could achieve the required mass removal efficiency in terms of mass output per day.
Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.