Radića Most Landfill
Above guideline valueMedia tested
Summary
An active, non-sanitary landfill operating without any system to collect or treat the liquid that drains out of it, on raised and uneven ground above the river Glinica. Testing of soil, subsoil and sediment found cadmium and nickel above the level at which soil is no longer considered clean in every sample, but no parameter reached the level indicating that cleanup is needed. In the river, chromium was above its permitted limit and selenium was markedly elevated — which the report takes as confirmation that contamination is actively migrating from the landfill into the river system. The general conclusion of the report is that the location requires further detailed analysis.
Assessment findings
Findings of concern
- Cadmium and nickel were above the level at which soil is no longer considered clean in every soil, subsoil and sediment sample — the contamination is present across the whole site, not just in one spot.
- Alongside them, cobalt and copper in the soil, and copper and zinc in the sediment, were also above that level.
- In the nearby river, chromium was above the permitted limit for surface water and selenium was markedly elevated. The report takes this as confirmation that contamination is actively migrating from the landfill into the river.
- The landfill is active and non-sanitary, with no system to collect or treat the liquid draining out of it and no stormwater drainage infrastructure, and the river lies immediately downslope.
- The ground beneath is fissured limestone and dolomite through which water passes easily, leaving the groundwater system highly vulnerable; groundwater is not monitored, which adds further uncertainty.
- The site is only partly fenced, so occasional unauthorised access is possible. Fires have been recorded in the past, and decomposing waste generates landfill gases and dust; stray dogs and birds scatter waste toward the surrounding farmland.
Positive findings
- No parameter tested in the soil, subsoil or sediment reached the level indicating that cleanup is needed — the report rates the soil contamination as low to moderate.
- Oil-related pollutants were within limits in every soil, subsoil and sediment sample.
- Combustion-related pollutants were below limits in every sample; the report explicitly rates them as low.
- Lead, chromium and selenium were within limits in every soil, subsoil and sediment sample.
- The liquid draining from the landfill met the permitted limit for every parameter for which a limit exists, and in the river water cadmium, lead and combustion-related pollutants were also within limits.
Photo gallery
The project results have been submitted to the competent institutions as a basis for improving regulation and for strategic planning of further activities.
Legal basis
- Decision on the characterization of surface and groundwater, reference conditions and parameters for water status assessment and water monitoring (Official Gazette of FBiH No. 01/14)
- Decree on the conditions for the discharge of wastewater into the environment and public sewerage systems (Official Gazette of FBiH No. 26/20, 96/20, 01/24)
- Rulebook on limit and remediation values of polluting, harmful and hazardous substances in soil (Official Gazette of RS No. 82/21)
Due to the absence of reference values for soil and sediment in the Federation of BiH, the Republika Srpska rulebook is applied as a reference framework to ensure methodological consistency between the entities.