Meru South District - UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative

3.3 Pollution and Waste Generated From Human Settlement
3.3.1 Major pollution sources
- Pollution from leachates at dumping sites
- Pollution from waste washed to water sources
- Pollution from gases emitted during burning of wastes especially that contain
hydrocarbons i.e. polythene, polyethylene etc.
- Pollution from seepage through the soil to the water sources
- Pollution from surface runoff washing away waste containing chemical and
hazardous wastes.
- Pollution from industrial processes
- Pollution from inefficient sewerage works.
3.3.2 Types of wastes
• Domestic wastes
Generated from household activities and include farm/garden wastes and
polythene papers. These can be putriscible, non putriscible, combustible and
non combustible.
• Agricultural wastes
Include garbage, maize stalk, cobs, animal feeds, chemicals, fertilizers, inert
materials sacks, leaves, animal drugs and plastic containers. These can be
divided into three categories readily putriscible, Non putriscible and
chemicals.
• Commercial wastes
These are generated from activities such as buying, selling, manufacturing
processes i.e. from retail shops, hotels Posho mills, butcheries, supermarkets,
tailoring shops etc. they can be readily putriscible, non putriscible,
combustible and non combustible. Due to lack of sewerage facilities some of
the business premises empty their waste water into the streets. In some cases,
soakage pits are emptied on to the streets at night once full, mainly during the
rainy season.
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