EVALUATION OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY AFFECTED BY LEACHATE AT AJJAGONDANAHALLI SOLID WASTE DUMP SITE IN TUMKURU, KARNATAKA, INDIA

Waste management has become problematic as a result of rapid urbanization, industrialization, and population growth. Ultimately, the garbage is dumped outside of the city or in a landfill. For the residents of the surrounding areas, the smell of landfills and the leachate that mixed with water bodies made life miserable. By assessing the physico-chemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, calcium, magnesium, potassium, nitrate, phosphate, and heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic) using Standard APHA methods during August (monsoon period), this paper focuses on the groundwater quality which is contaminated by the leachate surrounding this landfill. It has been found that groundwater samples of this area fall under the 'unsuitable for drinking' category. while pH, EC, TDS, Ca, Mg, K+ and NO3 remain within the safe ranges. But the concentration of phosphate and heavy metals such as Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium and mercury was found to be below the detection. however, the elevated WQI and ionic correlations indicate the onset of leachate percolation into the aquifer. Continuous monitoring, coupled with engineered landfill management practices such as leachate collection, liners, and treatment systems, is recommended to safeguard groundwater.