SANITARY LANDFILL OPERATIONS - Environmentally Conscious Materials Handling - page 202

1. Cover material will be used to cover the solid waste daily and when an area
of the landfill is completed . The permeability of the final cover influences
the quantity of leachate generated.
2. Migration control for leachate and gas movement away from the land-
fill . Impermeable soils will retard leachate and gas movement from the
site. Permeable soils provide less protection and require installation of
additional controls to prevent leachate and gas migration from the site.
3. Foundation and support structures for liners, roads, and other construc-
tion . Soils which support liner systems should be impermeable, stable and
free of rocks and gravel which may adversely affect liner integrity. Soils
on the road should provide the necessary traction for the vehicles and
allow drainage.
The surface characteristics and subsurface formations affect the landfill's lay-
out and drainage characteristics.
The potential sites for suitability as a landfill can be evaluated by a ranking
systems based on technical, environmental, institutional (i.e., permitting), and
economic criteria to identify two to four sites for more detailed evaluation for
suitability as a landfill site. For these sites, additional studies are conducted to
collect data to evaluate hydrogeologic characteristics, drainage patterns, geologic
formations, groundwater depth, flow directions, and natural quality and construc-
tion characteristics of site soils. Also, data about existing and planned land use,
surrounding land development, available utilities, highway access, political juris-
diction, and land cost are collected and evaluated. Data from soil borings below
and adjacent to the proposed site are collected to determine subsurface condi-
tions. Bore holes can subsequently be converted to groundwater wells to monitor
the groundwater table fluctuations and groundwater quality.

5.2 Design and Regulatory Approval

Planning, siting, and design of a sanitary landfill requires an assessment of exist-
ing and projected needs, identification and assessment of potential sites, and
preparation of a design package as listed below.

Sanitary Landfill Design Steps (Source: Conrad et al. 1981 with additions
by O'Leary, Walsh, and Tansel)
1. Determine solid waste quantities and characteristics:
a. Existing
b. Projected
2. Compile information for potential sites:
a. Perform boundary and topographic surveys.
b. Prepare base maps of existing conditions on and near sites such as
property boundaries, topography and slopes, surface water, wetlands,
utilities roads, structures, residences, and land use.