The city of Dakar is facing severe challenges with flooding, exacerbated significantly by pollution from the Mbeubeuss landfill, raising new concerns among experts and public authorities. On March 14, 2025, local reports from the Société nationale de gestion intégrée des déchets (SONAGED) highlighted the detrimental impact of this landfill on the surrounding environment, particularly its effect on the water table.
According to Cheikh Mohamed Fadel Fall, an expert at SONAGED, the Mbeubeuss landfill spans 104 hectares and is considered "a real ecological bomb." His insights reveal how the contamination from the landfill has considerably worsened flood situations experienced throughout Dakar over the past few years. The torrent of rain during the rainy season has historically met with resistance from unmanaged waste systems, but now, the pollution of the water table has added another layer to the crisis.
Fall noted, "A cause de la décharge de Mbeubeuss, le lixiviat, un liquide dangereux provenant des déchets et qui s’infiltre à travers le sol, a fortement pollué la nappe phréatique de Dakar." The hazardous leachate from the landfill has infiltrated the water table, creating significant public health concerns. The situation escalated to the point where local authorities ceased supplying water from boreholes due to pollution, resulting in increased water table levels. This exacerbation is one reason floods have become increasingly prevalent during the rainy season, as the normalization of higher groundwater levels contributes to surface flooding.
Before the landfill's adverse effects became apparent, there was once a well-established mechanism allowing the water table level to be managed effectively through the drilling of boreholes, which helped regulate the water levels to mitigate flooding. With the contamination rendering these boreholes ineffective, drainage systems are tasked to handle excess waters without adequate support, increasing the risk of flood events.
Experts stress the history behind Mbeubeuss’ overflowing waste and the resulting ecological consequences. "Today, we need to think about resorption," advises Fall, referring to the urgent need for viable strategies to restore the compromised water table. More sustainably managed waste could mitigate the pollution issues, but it requires actionable plans and local government intervention.
Since the landfill opened its doors as a waste disposal site back in 1968, authorities have wrestled with managing the rising tide of waste produced by the growing population of Dakar. Attempts to resolve the landfill challenge have included talks of closure, with authorities even contemplating shutting down operations back in 2015. Nevertheless, with no solid plans being executed since, the landfill continues to pose threats to both public health and safety, highlighting the gap between planned closures and current realities.
The site, located approximately 30 kilometers outside of Dakar, serves as the major refuse repository of the capital, but the pollution it emits extends well beyond its borders, affecting local water supplies and agricultural practices, adding pressure on local farmers struggling with water contamination.
The government is currently pushing forward the Project for the Promotion of Integrated Waste Management and the Circular Economy (PROMOGED), which aims to counteract the harmful impacts of the Mbeubeuss landfill. While this project's targeted steps are still underway, its success is contingent on widespread cooperation from local communities and the dedication of government officials to re-evaluate existing waste management systems.
Without decisive changes, the environmental system may continue to spiral downwards. With rainfall forecasts indicating increased intensity, heightened awareness of flooding and water management strategies will be urgently needed. Dakar’s residents are increasingly anxious as they see firsthand the behind-the-scenes challenges of maintaining ecological integrity amid rising pollution concerns stemming from the Mbeubeuss landfill.
Local authorities are urged to prioritize long-term solutions combining environmental management, infrastructure updates, and effective public communication to curb flood risks exacerbated by pollution today and for future generations. This urgent call to action reflects the growing recognition of the environmental crisis affecting not only the city of Dakar but also the broader ecological health of the region.