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What features make a hazardous-waste landfill secure?
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hazardous-waste management
Employees loading transuranic waste into a shipping container at Vallecitos Nuclear Center, a nuclear research facility in Alameda county, California.
To ensure the protection of public health and the environment, secure landfills are engineered with stringent safety features designed to prevent the contamination of soil and groundwater.
Key features of a secure hazardous-waste landfill include:
- Geological Separation: There must be at least 3 metres (10 feet) of soil between the base of the landfill and the underlying bedrock or water table.12
- Double Liners: The facility must utilize two impermeable bottom liners to provide a redundant barrier against leaks.12
- Leachate Management: A double leachate collection system, consisting of perforated pipes placed above each liner, is required to prevent the accumulation of hazardous liquids. Collected leachate is pumped to a treatment plant.1
- Impermeable Cover: Once a landfill is finished, it is sealed with an impermeable cap to minimize water infiltration and reduce leachate generation.12
- Monitoring Systems: A network of deep wells is installed in and around the site to routinely sample and test for groundwater contamination, allowing for the interception and treatment of any potential leaks.1