The studies showed that a 10-ha site would suffice for the immediate period, but than an area of 40- ha would be required by the year 2005 .

The region overlies a rich freshwater aquifer, heavily utilized for irrigation, domestic and industrial water supply. Moreover, the region is densely populated and cultivated and the few sites that could be found would require sealing to ensure that leachates do not penetrate the aquifer. Disposal of the wastes at the time of the planning was to land sites without regard to groundwater pollution and other environmental hazards and hence the urgency of arriving at a long-term solution to the solid waste disposal problems of the region.

Work included:

• Study of alternative sites within the region for waste disposal accompanied by a study of sealing methods at present in use, their efficacy, and the accompanying measures which will be required to ensure drainage of leachates accumulating above the sealing layer and their conveyance to a wastewater treatment plant. In this phase of the work, various types of plastic sheeting and the experience gained in their use were studied, together with other sealing methods, such as bitumen, asphalt and soil concrete mixes