| Abstract: | ABSTRACT: Recent technological advances have led to a new generation of landfill liner systems that are highly effective at intercepting and removing leachate. Many of the modern liner systems are so effective that they allow very little or no leakage. Indeed, the amount of leakage through those liners is so minimal that, although it can be theoretically predicted, it cannot be measured with the available monitoring well technology. In addition to being highly effective, some modern liner systems are constructed with two liner layers separated by a drainage medium that detects and removes any leakage through the top liner. These significant improvements in liner system technology have led to the questioning of the necessity for the currently required high number of monitoring wells. Reduction of the number of the monitoring wells and/or of the frequency of sampling would result in substantial cost savings. The present study reports the results of a research project conducted at eleven municipal landfills with modern liner technology throughout the State of Florida. Through actual field data and computer modeling, it was found that the liner systems standards applied in the State of Florida are very effective at preventing any groundwater contamination. Thus, the present monitoring well regulations are too conservative. |
