SELECTION OF SUITABLE LANDFILL SITES USING GIS IN KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA: CASE STUDY AL BAHA REGION

Complexity of waste management systems makes suitable landfill sites selection to be important issues for waste management. An inappropriate landfill site may have negative environmental, economic and ecological impacts. Therefore, it should be selected carefully. Determining the location of landfill sites is a difficult and complex process because it must combine social, environmental and technical parameters. In this research work, Geographical Information System (GIS) has been used to select the suitable land fill sites in Al Baha region. Selection process of the proposed sites is based on setting of international requirements and considerations, especially geological, environmental, economic and social criteria, as well as the criteria of popular admission to suit the conditions of the studied area. Required data has been collected and analyzed using Arc GIS software. Results showed that, GIS can be successfully used in selecting the suitable landfill sites. Moreover, all suggested sites have been located in the south east part of the studied area. A map showing suitable landfill sites distribution has been derived applying GIS.