India, Nov. 27 -- Groundwater aquifers around Delhi's saturated landfill sites at Bhalswa, Ghazipur and Okhla are highly contaminated, with multiple parameters such as chlorine, sulphate, fluoride and hardness measuring several times higher than prescribed limits. This is based on an analysis of samples conducted by the Delhi government. Four samples were collected from varying distances around each dumpsite and tested across nine parameters. The results have been submitted to the central government and indicate heavy contamination caused by leachate from long-accumulated waste.

Leachate is a toxic liquid formed when water percolates through waste in landfills. It dissolves chemical and organic compounds as it travels downward and can co...