A case study of an holistic approach to leachate and storm-water management developed at a municipal landfill site

Abstract

One of the basic conceptual approaches to water management at landfill sites is to hydrologically limit the generation of leachate during all stages of facility development in favor of producing larger amounts of non-polluted surface water run-off. However, there are some negative aspects to such an approach: 1) regulatory monitoring requirements are customarily not focused on the detection of potentially large amounts of contaminants which can be repeatedly released into the environment by means of storm water run-off; 2) subsequent to the required 30-year, post-closure monitoring and maintenance activities, common dry-or even wet-type landfills will in principle still pose a threat to the surrounding water environment; 3) a landfill is usually designed to function as an independent technological unit from the inception of the facility to the post-closure stage of its development. A different conceptual approach was undertaken at a pilot scale landfill complex in Ajdovščina, Slovenia, implementing landfill technology that combines the following interrelated elements to function together within a holistically designed system: 1) light waste compaction; 2) passive landfill aeration; 3) landfill bioreactor flushing; 4) landfill interior transient water storage and 5) inclusion of completed landfill sections into a common water catchment and recirculation area.

Long-term groundwater protection efficiency of different types of sanitary landfills: Data description

“…When referring to HPL, raw primary data were used for the purpose instead. The main sources are presented below:Laner [4] for modern landfillsKjeldsen and Christophersen [5] for dumpsitesMadon [6] for high permeability landraises…”

Development of a sustainable MSW landfill as an intrinsic part of a low-priced, integrated waste management facility

“…An alternate conceptual approach to sustainable sanitary landfilling and facility development was applied at the research-oriented site fifteen years ago. The focus was put on providing low-cost, rapid stabilization and decontamination of the landfill already during the time the liable operator is still actively present on site (Madon [3]). The approach implicates the operator is able to demonstrate the pollution potential would be abated down to a effectively safe, negligible level soon after the last active landfill cell would be closed.…”

“…Completed landfill slopes and benches are suitable for thinly spreading the material over the surfaces at the beginning of the summer season (Madon [3]). The systems for drainage and collection of the polluted surface runoff are already designed to be an integral part of the multibranched recirculation system, therefore, from the environmental standpoint, the operations can initiate immediately after the closure of a cell.…”