DRRS Slovakia 2024 (DRRS23SK02)

The landfill in Vrakuna Bratislava - with chemical waste of chemical company CHZJD - is close to Žitný ostrov (“Rye Island”), the largest drinking groundwater reservoir in Central Europe. There has been leaking of the landfill for over 30 years, contaminating the soil towards Rye Island. The issue is now more urgent then ever as there is evidence that the contamination plume has spread around 5.5 km of the landfill and permanently threatens the drinking water reservoir.

The landfill was in operation from 1966-1979. Waste was dumped initially in the unsaturated zone, however after the completion of the Gabcikovo Water works and power plant in 1992, the groundwater table increased to six metres below ground level. This meant that a large part of the foot of the landfill came under water and started to leak into and pollute the surrounding groundwater.

The DRRS has been invited to discuss the pollution problems in Vrakuna District. The projected solution aims to eliminate the environmental pollution to reduce the effects on the health of the population.