Landfill leachate management -- A survey of cost-effective collection and minimization techniques
- GeoSyntec Consultants, Atlanta, GA (United States)
- Unisys Corp., Paoli, PA (United States)
Waste disposal and containment systems are intended to protect the quality of human health and the environment by preventing containment migration across all major pathways, including ground water, surface water, and air. Uncontrolled release of leachate from waste disposal facilities or landfills may have an adverse impact on ground water and surface waters. Since leachate quality and strength differs for each landfill, the associated risks of exposure vary accordingly. However, studies by the Texas Water Resources Institute of four municipal landfill leachates found all samples failed for acute toxicity tests. Regardless of site-specific quality and health risk of leachate generated at a landfill, in drafting the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Congress viewed waste disposal practices as a matter national in scope and directed the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to promulgate performance standards for landfills. As these standards apply towards leachate management, the USEPA has regulated in favor of leachate management strategies that are oriented towards proper leachate collection and minimization of leachate generation. This paper provides a brief background section on leachate characteristics and then addresses a number of time-tested, cost-effective leachate collections systems (LCS), leachate removal systems, and minimization techniques that meet the EPA`s dual goals for lined and unlined landfills.
- OSTI ID:
- 435450
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9606300--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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