Sanitary Landfill Design, Leachate, and Gas Management

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Evaluate the factors that influence landfill siting, design, operation, and long-term performance
• Assess leachate and landfill gas management strategies to reduce environmental and operational risks
• Apply design principles for liner, cover, collection, and containment systems
• Interpret regulatory and environmental requirements that govern landfill development and operation
• Support landfill management decisions that protect groundwater, surface water, public health, and the surrounding environment

Description

Managing modern sanitary landfills requires balancing operational demands with increasingly stringent environmental, regulatory, and community expectations. Leachate generation, landfill gas migration, groundwater protection, site stability, and long-term environmental performance all present significant challenges throughout a landfill's lifecycle. Failure to effectively manage these risks can result in environmental impacts, regulatory non-compliance, increased operating costs, and public concerns.

This course provides a practical framework for understanding the design and management systems that support safe and effective landfill operations. You will examine the principles that govern landfill siting, containment, leachate collection, gas management, environmental monitoring, and post-closure performance while exploring the factors that influence long-term environmental protection. The course also reviews the regulatory and technical considerations that drive landfill design decisions and operational practices.

Through practical examples and case studies, you will strengthen your ability to evaluate landfill performance, assess environmental risks, support regulatory compliance efforts, and make informed decisions related to landfill design, operation, and environmental management.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for:

• Environmental engineers
• Municipal engineers involved in waste management infrastructure
• Solid waste managers and landfill operators
• Environmental consultants and project managers
• Geotechnical and hydrogeological professionals supporting landfill projects
• Regulatory personnel responsible for permitting, compliance, or environmental review
• Technologists and technicians involved in landfill monitoring and operations
• Professionals responsible for environmental risk management and site performance

Day I

Waste Management and Sanitary Landfills

• Waste management, concept of a landfill design, estimation of landfill volume
• Flow fundamentals, the flow of leachate from landfill
• Regulatory frameworks, landfill standards and guidelines, reasonable use criteria

Hydrology and Hydrogeology of Landfill Sites

• Site characterization and selection
• Principles of situating the Landfill
• Blowout and excavation

Leachate Management and Disposal

• Volume of leachate in a landfill
• Water balance analysis (HELP Model)
• Leachate management
• Landfill cover design
• Design of leachate collection system (LCS)
• How to minimize clogging in an LCS
• Leachate treatment
• Liner design (Geomembrane, GCLs, CCLs)

Day II

Site Assessment and Computer Modelling of Leachate Transport

• Contaminant transport modelling
• Computer simulation of groundwater environment (POLLUTE Program)
• Contaminating life span of the site
• Assessment of long-term performance
• Landfill settlement and stability

Landfill Gas Management

• Gas collection systems
• Monitoring gas movement
• Flares and treatment options

Landfill Operation

• Waste segregation
• Waste densities and compaction
• Intermediate and final landfill cover
• Nuisance, odour, litter and galls
• Average cost for landfill approval, construction and operation
• Surface water management: rainfall, run-off, erosion control

Environmental Compliance

• Groundwater and surface water monitoring
• Gas monitoring
• Contingency measures

Landfill Mining

• Why, where and when to consider landfill mining
• Issues of landfill reclamations

Questions and Answers and Feedback to Participants on Achievement of Learning Outcomes

Concluding Remarks and Final Adjournment