Selection of potential solid waste disposal areas in Pathum Thani province

Abstract

The potential areas selection for sanitary landfill of the area under the present study covers approximately 1,500 square kilometers of Pathum Thani province, in the lower part of central Thailand. Selected environmental factors related to the solid waste disposal site, namely, climate, surface water, groundwater, soil suitability, geology, land use, transportation, administration and socio-economic conditions are employed in the consideration using the Geographic Information System (GIS) as a tool. The overlay technique and weight rating system are taken into consideration under this study. Arc/Info and Arc/View programs are used as a tool for overlay mapping and weight rating system. The findings of suitable areas for sanitary landfill are classified into 5 classes, notably; most suitable, suitable, moderately suitable, less suitable, and unsuitable. The most suitable and suitable area are mainly located in Amphoe Nuangsua and some parts of Amphoe Samkhok, Amphoe Lumlukka and Amphoe Khlong Luang. The most suitable areas always appear as a large piece of land larger than 1 square kilometer. The large moderately suitable areas are located in Amphoe Lumlukka, Amphoe Khlong Luang, Amphoe Muang, and Amphoe Samkhok, respectively in decreasing size of the land. The less suitable and unsuitable areas are rarely found in the study area. The areas of these 2 classes are always smaller than 1 square kilometer. The land price is also brought into consideration for determining the possible landfill site. The capital cost of most suitable area for the sanitary landfill is albout 125-250 million baht per 1 square kilometer.