LANDFILL

What problems do landfill sites pose?

• Groundwater Contamination • Production of Landfill Gas • Landfill fires • Offensive odours • Litter • Pests (Vermin, seagulls, flies) • Increased traffic for duration of infilling • Long term settlement after completion

Types of landfill 1. Hazardous waste landfill. 2. Non-hazardous waste landfill. 3. Inert waste landfill.

Choice of Site must consider: 1. Distances to residential and recreation areas (and other agricultural or urban sites). 2. The position of groundwater, coastal water or nature protection zones. 3. Geological and hydrological; conditions in the area. 4. Protection of natural &/or cultural sites in the area. 5. Preservation, improvement or extension of amenities.

Main Concerns: (Explain each of these problems) Leachate:

Methane Gas

The ideal sites are old quarries, gravel pits or low value land, preferably not too far from centres of population to keep transport costs down, but there is great concern on the effect of landfill sites on health, especially the risk to unborn babies.

Geologists advise on:  Site shape and drainage.  Effects of rainfall and evaporation.

 Leachate management – leachates travel through …………….. rocks and flow…………….

 Gas management – gases flow travel through ……………and …………….rocks and flow…………….  The risk of settlement of the landfill material.

The landfill site may need to be lined with clay up to 3m thick. Why is clay a good lining?

Alternatively the site may be lined with geotextile membranes. The lining has to provide a high level of containment, be strong and flexible to resist damage and last a long time. What happens to landfill sites when they are full? They may be used for:

Risks: Settlement Gas – pipes have to be put in to remove gas.

Leachate – they may have pipes to remove leachate, treat it and return it to a sewer.