| Modern technology has led to a new generation of landfill liner systems that are highly efficient at intercepting and removing leachate. Many of the modern liner systems are so effective that little or no leakage occurs through the liner systems. What leakage may occur is so minimal that, although it can be theoretically predicted, it cannot be measured, i.e., the resulting groundwater concentrations are well beneath minimum detection levels of available monitoring well technology. In addition to being highly effective, some modern liner systems are constructed with two liners separated by a drainage medium which detects and removes any leakage through the top liner.; These significant improvements in liner system technology have led many landfill designers, operators, and regulators to question the necessity for current monitoring well practices. Currently, landfills are required to have a large number of monitoring wells, and the associated large installation, sampling, and testing costs are inevitably reflected in higher tipping fees or higher taxes. In either case, the costs are borne by the public. If the number and frequency of sampling of monitoring wells could be reduced, significant cost savings could be realized, and the money saved could perhaps be better spent elsewhere. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
