Effects of refuse dumps on ground water quality / California State Water Pollution Control Board.

  • California. State Water Quality Control Board.
Date:
1961
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Effects of refuse dumps on ground water quality / California State Water Pollution Control Board. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    FOREWORD Early in 1960 a special meeting of the Los Angeles Regional Water Pollution Control Board was held to consider a request for modification of certain requirements regarding disposal of refuse in a gravel pit located near the center of a major ground water basin. Testimony offered during the meeting revealed a difference of opinion as to the possible effect of refuse disposal upon the ground water quality of the basin. There appeared to be a clear and pressing need for more factual information and data pertaining to refuse disposal in alluvial formations and protection that should be afforded to ground water basins. Some years before, the State Water Pollution Control Board had sponsored research studies of the extent of pollution of ground water by alkalies and salts leached from refuse dumps. Projects undertaken by the University of Southern California under the direction of Professor Robert C. Merz resulted in State Board Publications No. 2, Investigation of Leaching of Ash Dumps (1952) 1958), 10, Investigation of Leaching of a Sanitary Landfill In August, 1958, a large rise in hardness was observed in water from a well adjacent to a refuse dump. The available data on the changes of the chemical quality of this water were assem- bled by the Los Angeles Regional Board. Later, the regional board contracted with the California Department of Water Resources for an investigation of ground water impairment in the basin. The results showed a build-up of carbon dioxide, apparently of refuse origin, with an associated increase of hardness. In response to the need for further information, the State Board's research consulting board (Jack E. McKee, Sc.D., Erman A. Pearson, Sc.D., and Richard D. Pomeroy, Ph.D.) recommended that a project be undertaken to collate all available data bearing on pertinent aspects of the problem. In light of this undertaking it was suggested that the collation project include a recommended program of specific research projects needed to fill gaps found to exist in present knowledge of the subject. On September 1, 1960, the State Board contracted with Engineering-Science, Inc., Arcadia, to undertake a study for the collation, evaluation and presentation of data on effects of refuse dumps on ground water quality. On the succeeding pages is printed the contractor's report submitted on August 29, 1961. Background information and objectives are shown in the report transmittal letter and Chapter I - Introduction. Findings are summarized in Chapter VII - Recommendations. The latter chapter includes a list of specific research objectives or needs, with relative priorities for future ae P Printing and distribution of the report as Publication No. 24 was authorized by the board on November 1, 1961. Although the investigation reported herein was conducted under the sponsorship and direction of the State Water Pollution Control Board, the conclusions and recommendations given in the report are those of the research contractor and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of the board.