Enhancing Landfill Leachate Recirculation System Performance

Abstract

Leachate recirculation is gaining popularity as an alternative to conventional single-pass leachate systems. Research has shown that leachate recirculation through a landfill can offer operational advantages such as enhanced microbiological treatment of leachate, increased landfill stabilization, and volume reduction of leachate by evaporation or absorption by refuse. Although leachate recirculation appears to be feasible as well as economically attractive, design and operational criteria have yet to be fully established and tested. This paper presents design and operations enhancements developed for the leachate recirculation system at the Kootenai County Landfill in Idaho, and describes the experience the writers have gained at other facilities.