Effects of Land Disposal of Solid Wastes
on Water Quality
Rodney L. Cummins, MPH
SW-2ts
-------
FOREWORD
This Technical Services information pamphlet is a review and
interpretation of current literature on water quality as related to
solid waste disposal. It does not in all instances represent the pol-
icy of the Solid Wastes Program of the U. S. Public Health Service,
but it does attempt a comprehensive review of the literature.
Readers should consider the data and material discussed in
the light of their own particular problems. They are urged to seek
further advice and assistance from the appropriate local or state
agency or from the technical services activity of the Solid Wastes
Program in Cincinnati.
This pamphlet was written by Rodney L. Cummins, Staff
Chemist, Technical Studies Section, Technical Services, Solid Wastes
Program, National Center for Urban and Industrial Health, U. S.
Public Health Service, Cincinnati, Ohio.
H. Lanier Hickman, Jr.
Chief, Technical Services
Solid Wastes Program
National Center for Urban
and Industrial Health
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
11
-------
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author expresses his appreciation to the staff of
Technical Services, Solid Wastes Program for support and
assistance in obtaining references. Special thanks are due to
Thomas J. Sorg, Chief, Technical Studies, Technical Services,
and to H. Lanier Hickman, Jr. , Chief, Technical Services, for
their guidance and leadership; and to William Bendixen for his
technical review and support.
111
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Introduction 1
Background, 2
Ground and Surface Water Related to Solid Waste
Disposal-, 2
Purpose, 3
Definitions, 3
II. Methods of Disposal 4
Land Disposal Methods, 5
Means of Potential Surface and Groundwater Pollution, 5
III. Influence of Solid Waste Disposal on Water Quality .... 8
Physical Characteristics, 8
Biological Quality, 9
Chemical Composition, 9
IV. Case Studies of Water Quality Investigations Related to
Solid Waste Disposal Operations 11
Andersen and Dornbush, 12
University of Southern California, 12
University of Illinois, 13
British Studies, 14
California State Conclusions, . 16
V. Requirements for Proper Land Disposal 18
Surface Water Wet Areas, 19
Groundwater, 20
General Information, 20
Los Angeles Requirements, 21
A California Water Pollution Control Region, 21
Illinois and Idaho Recommendations, 22
VI. Guidelines 23
Suggested Management Guide s, 23
Guides to Good Practices, 24
VII. Summary 25
VIII. References 27
IV
-------
I. INTRODUCTION
Water has always been essential to the growth and
development of society. Early man was not concerned about the
quality of his water. Today, with a highly developed urban society,
we are acutely aware that water supplies are continuously polluted
and that action to prevent pollution must be continuous.
The accumulation and disposal of solid waste is another grow-
ing problem of urbanization. Solid waste consists of garbage, re-
fuse, and other discarded solid materials including solid waste ma-
terials resulting from industrial, commercial, agricultural, and
domestic operations. Over 800 million pounds of urban solid wastes,
and untold millions of pounds of agricultural and industrial solid
wastes, must be disposed of daily. Most of the waste disposed of
will be in contact with the ground and, hence, accessible to both
ground and surface water. The possible impairment of the water
quality by processes associated with solid waste disposal should be
considered in the selection of a disposal site.
-------
Background
7 (~>
A few investigations have dealt with pollution of water by
solid waste disposal. In general, it has been concluded that solid
wastes can pollute water, but the interrelationships and factors that
determine the extent and degree of pollution are not well defined.
More research is needed. In fact, documented instances of such
pollution are rare. Thus, we need to summarize our present knowl-
edge in order to develop information relating to water quality from
a waste disposal standpoint.
Ground and Surface Water
Related to Solid Waste Disposal
Solid wastes consist of putrescible and nonputrescible mate-
rial, including garbage, rubbish (trash), ashes, incinerator resi-
due, street cleanings, and industrial and agricultural wastes. The
majority of solid wastes in untreated or in residual forms, ultima-
tely come in contact with the land in dumps or in sanitary landfills.
By simply placing the wastes on or in the ground, we are faced
with the possibility of contaminated water. Although documented
occurrences of water contamination from refuse disposal sites are
few in number, ' controlled studies have documented that such
2 4- 6
contamination may occur, ' and it is probable that many
stances go unrecognized.
in-
-------
Enough contamination has occurred so that in some states
current regulations prevent the dumping of solid wastes in water,
such as lakes, rivers, and gravel pits, or placing it in direct con-
tact with the groundwater table. Under certain conditions, solid
wastes can pollute both ground and surface water. That these wastes
should never be dumped into water has become a sanitary engineer-
ing axiom.
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to provide information relative
to water pollution that may be caused by solid waste disposal. Def-
initions, site descriptions, water quality criteria, potential hazards,
case histories, recommendations, and tentative guides are included.
This information is designed to give some insight into the problems
that may occur and the methods for solving them.
Definitions
Aerobic: Capable of oxidation (organic compounds) by oxygen.
Anaerobic: In the absence of molecular oxygen, capable of
oxidizing with an inorganic oxidant (NO^, 804).
Incineration: The process of reducing solid, semi-solid, or
gaseous combustible wastes to an inert residue containing little or
no combustible material.
-------
Putrescible: Capable of being decomposed by microorganisms
with sufficient rapidity to cause nuisances from odors and gases.
Refuse : Putrescible and nonputrescible solid wastes, includ-
ing garbage, rubbish, ashes, incinerator residue, and street
cleanings.
Sanitary Landfill: Disposal of solid wastes on land without
creating a nuisance or safety hazard, by utilizing engineering prin-
ciples in order to confine the wastes to the smallest practical vol-
ume and to cover it with a prescribed layer of earth at the conclu-
sion of each day's operation, or more frequently if necessary.
Saturated: Having absorbed all liquid that can be taken up.
Solid Wastes: Garbage, refuse, and other discarded solid
materials, including solid wastes materials resulting from indust-
rial, commercial, agricultural, and domestic operations.
II. METHODS OF DISPOSAL
Impairment of water quality by solid wastes may occur when
improper land disposal practices are followed. Good judgment and
sound engineering practices are essential in site selection. Know-
7 8
ledge of the physical environment of the site is also required.
It is desirable to minimize the effects of processes that may cause
the water to become polluted from refuse. Sanitary landfills by
definition minimize these processes.
4
-------
Land Disposal Methods
The following disposal methods place the burned or unburned
solid wastes in contact with the ground, thus making them suscep-
tible to any process by which contaminants can be added to water.
The Open Dump. An open dump is the consolidation of wastes
from one or more sources at a central disposal site with little or
no management. Some of the problems associated with open dumps
are: breeding of disease vectors, air pollution, water pollution,
land pollution, land blight, and accident potential.
The Sanitary Landfill. A sanitary landfill is designed and
operated to dispose of solid wastes on land without creating a nui-
sance or a hazard to public health or safety. This kind of landfill
utilizes the principles of engineering in order to confine the solid
wastes to the smallest practical area, to reduce them to the small-
est practical volume, and to cover them with a prescribed layer of
earth at the conclusion of each day's operation, or more frequently
if necessary. This is the most desirable land disposal method.
Means of Potential Surface and Groundwater Pollution
It has been demonstrated that solid wastes disposal can direc-
tly and indirectly contaminate surface water and groundwater
supplies. 2> 4, 5, 9, 10 Surface sources of water for leaching in a
5
-------
finished fill include rainfall, runoff, and irrigation. Subsurface
sources are high groundwater levels and breaks in water mains
and sewers.
Major factors involved in the introduction of contaminants
through the use of land disposal sites are : infiltration and perco-
lation, solid wastes decomposition processes, gas production and
movement, leaching, groundwater travel and direct runoff.
These factors may also be examined from the standpoint of
three basic mechanisms for the contamination of groundwater :
direct, horizontal leaching of refuse by groundwater; vertical leach-
ing by percolating water; and transfer by diffusion and convection
of gases produced during decomposition.
These mechanisms and factors may be combined at random
and work together. Each of the factors is important and may have
an effect upon water quality. The retention or spread of any pro-
ducts from these factors and mechanisms is determined by the
particular meteorologic, geologic, and hydrologic conditions at the
7 8
landfill site.
Infiltration and percolation. Infiltration and percolation of
rainfall and runoff can produce leachates that may cause groundwater
2
contamination. Flooding of surface water and saturation of the
solid wastes by this process are also factors that must be considered.
-------
To produce contamination, possible pollutants must have a means
of access to an aquifer.
Solid waste decomposition processes. Many factors, such
as time, composition, availability of oxygen, temperature, mois-
ture, and salinity, will affect decomposition of solid wastes. De-
composition of the organic constituents by bacterial action results
in a broad array of chemical and biochemical products available
for potential distribution in a water system.
Gas production and movement. Gas production 's closely re-
2
lated to solid wastes decomposition. Aerobic action produces a
rise in temperature, water (F^O), ammonia (NH-j), and carbon
dioxide (CO?), which is heavier than air and remains in the fill.
Carbon dioxide and water combine to make carbonic acid (HpCC^),
which is a very weak acid. The ammonia, which is oxidize! from
nitrates and from nitrites and water, is always present.
Anaerobic action, through a deficiency in oxygen, produces
a rise in temperature and creates ammonia and methane gas.
Leaching and groundwater movement. Three conditions must
exist in order to have contamination by the process of leaching and
groundwater travel: the site must be over, adjacent to, or in an
aquifer; there must be saturation within the fill; leached fluids must
be produced, and the leachate must be capable of entering an aquifer.
7
-------
When leaching does occur, the ground-water in the immedi-
ate vicinity of the fill, approximately 1, 000 feet downstream,
can become polluted and unfit for human and animal consumption,
7
or for industrial and irrigational uses.
Direct runoff. The direct surface runoff of water from a
solid waste disposal site may affect water quality. The effect of
the runoff will vary according to the source of the water, its qual-
ity, the quantity of solid wastes, the site, and the operational
conditions.
III. INFLUENCE OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL ON WATER QUALITY
Evidence that physical characteristics, biological quality,
and chemical composition of surrounding waters are affected by
2, 4, 5,7
quality and quantity of solid wastes conditions is well known.
These factors that govern water quality will be discussed, presum-
ing that the disposed solid wastes are not in direct contact with
water.
Physical Characteristics
Physical characteristics of water include turbidity, odor,
taste, and color. Turbidity would be initially present in both sur-
face runoff and leachate, but usually would be a problem only in
8
-------
the immediate vicinity of the disposal site. The taste and odor of
water contaminated by solid wastes may be impaired under anaero-
bic conditions where hydrogen sulfide is produced. Color may be
present because of the heterogeneous nature of solid wastes, and,
in most cases, it would be removed by natural purification processes.
Biological Quality
Biological water quality refers to bacteria present in the water,
usually by leaching. Bacteria normally do not persist in underground
water in the direction of flow for more than 50 yards, and seemingly
important bacteria are seldom found below 4-foot depths, and never
below 7 feet, even in highly permeable soil. The pumped recharge
of polluted water to underground aquifers has been shown to result
in travel of bacteria for less than 1, 000 feet.
In a study by Weaver an average of 740, 000 coliform bacteria
per gram of solid wastes was reported. Leaching from solid wastes
may have a high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). A British study
showed the BOD of Leachate in a wet fill to be 5, 150 ppm.
Chemical Composition
Solid wastes contain mineral and organic substances in quan-
tities capable of causing gross pollution of underground water sup-
plies. The finer the composition, or grain, and the greater the
-------
surface area of the waste material, the heavier will be the potential
concentration of chemicals in the leachate.
Chlorides and other inorganics do persist in water and are
only reduced in concentration by dilution with unaffected water.
Free and saline ammonia also show appreciable increase in water
traveling underground, and are slowly oxidized and diluted.
Organic matter in wastes undergoes both aerobic and anaero-
bic decomposition, thereby producing large volumes of carbon di-
oxide (CO?) and methane (CH^.), with small amounts of ammonia
(NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
Hydrogen sulfide has an offensive taste and odor, but, by
dilution with water containing oxygen and/or by diffusing atmospheric
oxygen, the sulfide is oxidized to tasteless and odorless sulfur and
sulfate s.
The effect of carbon dioxide, which increases water hardness,
and the effects of ammonia, which on oxidation increases the nitrate
content, are among the most significant chemical characteristics
of decomposing organic matter in a landfill operation. The nitrate-
nitrogen thus produced can exceed by 10 to 20 times the safe level
for consumption by infants.
The methane has a low solubility and diffuses out of the refuse
7
site, presenting little or no contamination potential to water.
10
-------
Carbon dioxide has a high solubility and combines with water
to form carbonic acid with an associated increase in hardness. The
acid formed will dissolve magnesium, iron from tin cans, lime from
2 7
calcareous materials and deposits, and other substances, ' all
of which are undesirable at high concentrations in water resources.
In considering all three phases of decomposition that affect
water quality, it is of prime importance to know the Federal, State,
regional, and local regulations that deal with the chosen disposal
site. Any sampling for contamination must be of a frequency and
method approved by the regulating authority, such as the Federal
12
drinking water standards or the standards of the New England
13
Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission.
IV. CASE STUDIES OF WATER QUALITY INVESTIGATIONS
RELATED TO SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL OPERATIONS
Samples of past investigations and some present research
efforts are presented to clarify the potential pollution problem asso-
ciated with refuse disposal sites.
The distance that contaminants may travel was reported in an
occurrence of pollution near the southern Indiana-Ohio state line
Q
many years ago. Fifteen wells in a limestone strata formation
were being used. One well became contaminated. After a 3-month
11
-------
investigation, it was reported that a solid wastes dump 18 miles
away was found to be the source of the pollutants.
Andersen and Dornbush
4
Andersen and Dornbush reported that groundwater leaving
a 160-acre disposal site was not seriously impaired. They drew
the following preliminary conclusions.
1. Groundwater in the immediate vicinity of and in direct
contact with a refuse landfill exhibited a significant increase (three
times) in the concentration of dissolved minerals as determined by
specific conductance measurements.
2. During the summer, groundwater from the fill helped to
reduce the hardness and alkalinity of the water in an algae-laden
pond located downstream.
3. In this study, the three most significant parameters of
those utilized to show variations in groundwater quality were chloride,
sodium, and specific conductance.
4. There was need to determine the extent of travel of the
leached ions, the aging of the deposited refuse, and the climatic
variation.
University of Southern California
A University of Southern California investigation showed that
15 inches of water applied at the rate of 1 inch a day was necessary
12
-------
to saturate the fill material and produce free water or leachate.
These studies were done with deep (10-ft) bins, rubbish-garbage
mixtures, and about 50 percent moisture. A landfill could absorb
large quantities of water without becoming supersaturated (approx-
imately 65 gallons per ton).
San Diego, using water for compaction in a landfill, required
•7
385 gallons per ton of solid wastes. The addition of this much
water was not recommended where there was a possibility of
groundwater contamination.
The complex problem of deciding whether a given landfill can
cause contamination requires investigation and the judgment of com-
petent sanitary engineers.
University of Illinois
The purpose of this project was to determine the influence
of the geological structure on groundwater and its relationship to
potential groundwater pollution by a sanitary landfill.
Geologists have said that there are no such things as "perfect
seals" that might prevent leachate from a landfill from reaching
14
the groundwater.
If a landfill is in the zone of saturation, which is usually known
to engineers as the water table, the fill eventually becomes saturated,
13
-------
and water movement through the fill takes place. Initial results
of the University of Illinois study showed the following conditions:
1. A groundwater mound had formed beneath the landfill with
gradients away from the landfill in all directions. The intersection
of this groundwater mound with the land surface produced seepage,
along one edge.
2. Construction of the landfill had caused a rise in ground-
water levels of 3 to 5 feet beneath the landfill, the lower part of the
refuse becoming saturated. A brownish-black, rather oily liquid
(leachate) with an obnoxious odor was encountered.
The following preliminary conclusions were made:
1. A groundwater mound had formed beneath the landfill,
saturating the lower part.
2. Chloride concentration decreased rapidly away from the
fill.
3. Beneath the central portion of the landfill and in the clay
till below the surficial sand, groundwater gradients were downward
to the underlying bedrock. Near the margins of the landfill in the
surficial sand, gradients had a lateral component.
British Studies
British experiments, in which percolates from solid wastes
fills had access to groundwater, or were directly placed into water
14
-------
to which groundwater had access, showed, respectively, that in
2. 5 years the water contained little polluting matter, and that in
1. 5 years pollution was measurable.
In Britain, tipping into water is a recent method, which is not
yet fully accepted. Dry areas are becoming scarce. The study
used a 6-acre pit and a 36-acre pit, both with 12- to 15-foot depths
and utilizing 100, 000 tons of solid wastes per year. When refuse
was disposed of in water, the dissolved oxygen was used up rapidly
and anaerobic organisms began to develop. Typical concentrations
of substances in water before and after the polluting effect of solid
wastes are highly variable (Table I).
TABLE I
Polluting Effect of Solid Waste
Analyzed component
Total solids
Chloride ion
Aklalinity
Sulphate
P. V.
BOD
Nitrogen (fs)
Album in -nitrogen
Before
(ppm)
450
30
180
120
neg
neg
neg
neg
After
(ppm)
5000
500
800
1300 (no reduction)
0 (reduction)
230
2500
70
16
pH 7. 5
15
-------
California State Conclusions
Extensive studies have led to the following conclusions by the
California State Water Pollution Control Board :
1. "A sanitary landfill, if so located that no portion of it
intercepts ground water, will not cause impairment of the ground
water for either domestic or irrigational use.
2. "A sanitary landfill, if so located as to be in intermittent
or continuous contact with ground water, will cause the ground water
in the immediate vicinity of the landfill to become grossly polluted
and unfit for domestic or irrigational use. Local increase of min-
eral elements to concentrations varying from 20 times those found
in the unpolluted ground water of the area in the case of common
minerals up to 10, 000 times, in the case of ammonia, nitrogen,
are possible.
3. "It may be expected that continuous leaching of an acre-foot
of sanitary landfill will result in a minimum extraction of approxi-
mately 1. 5 tons of sodium plus potassium, 1. 0 tons of calcium plus
magnesium, 0. 91 tons of chloride, 0. 23 tons of sulfate, and 3. 9 tons
of bicarbonate. Removals of these quantities would take place in
less than one year. Removals would continue with subsequent
years, but at a very slow rate. It is unlikely that all ions ever
would be removed.
16
-------
4. "Dissolved mineral matter, entering a ground water as a
result of intermittent and partial contact of a sanitary landfill with
the underlying ground water will
a. have its greatest travel in the direction of flow,
b. undergo a vertical diffusion to a limited extent
and, where the aquifer is of appreciable thick-
ness (100 feet or more), the bottom water will
probably remain unimpaired;
c. be subject to dilution, the result of which will
be a minimizing of the effect of the entering
pollutant ions.
5. "Where the pollutional load on a ground water is light by
reason of a sanitary landfill being in intermittent and partial contact
with the underlying ground water, the most serious impairment of
the ground water as little as a half-mile downstream from the land-
fill will be an increase in hardness, and then only in the upper por-
tions of the aquifer.
6. "Rainfall alone in this area will not penetrate a 7. 5-foot
thick landfill sufficiently to cause entry of leach into the underlying
ground water.
7. "Compared to the hardness entering the ground water with
leach from a sanitary landfill, the .additional hardness which might
17
-------
result from the dissolution of calcium carbonate by carbon dioxide
produced within the fill is negligible, unless the aquifer is of a
calcareous nature.
8. "Anaerobic conditions with production of combustible gas
will exist within a sanitary landfill in approximately one month
following deposition of the fill. The composition of the gas at that
time will be approximately 70 percent methane and 30 percent
carbon dioxide.
9. "The production of methane and carbon dioxide from solid
fill materials results in increased pressure, and gas diffuses out
of the fill. Low content of limestone in an aquifer will limit the
diffusion of carbon dioxide into the water, and all but a negligible
amount of the gas formed will escape into the atmosphere. "
V. REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPER LAND DISPOSAL
Various requirements and guides have been compiled relating
T O C *7 Q I C
solid waste disposal to water. ' ' ' ' ' By understanding these,
the relationship between solid wastes and groundwater is defined,
and potentially dangerous situations may be avoided.
One suggested guideline is to designate different classes of
disposal sites, with associated limitations as to the type of solid
wastes to be placed in each class. Possible surface and groundwater
18
-------
areas as they relate to solid waste disposal are discussed,
together with methods of making the problem areas safe. Some of
the state regulations ' ' for control are listed.
Surface Water Wet Areas
In general, these areas should not be used for the disposal of
solid wastes, but, in cases of necessity and with proper precautions,
they may be considered.
Swamps and Marshes. These need an adequate drainage system
to handle both groundwater runoff from adjoining uplands and surface
runoff from newly filled areas. The discharge end of drainage ditches
should have readily cleanable screens. Flap gates should be used
to control backflows in tidal areas. Solid wastes should never be
disposed of in or near shellfish grounds.
Tidal Areas. The site should be divided into several lagoons
by means of dikes. For better control of operations and to prevent
nuisances, these are filled one at a time.
Ponds, Quarries, and Similar Depress ion-Type Areas. Dump-
ing solid wastes directly into water causes nuisances, biochemical
activity, and odors, and should not be done. Although a shallow
pond could be filled by dumping only in cold weather, this is not
good practice.
19
-------
Groundwater
No type of solid waste disposal site should be placed in
direct contact with the groundwater supply. At least 2 feet between
the lowest point in the fill and the highest recorded water table level
should be maintained. Even this may not be sufficient distance since
the water table may rise directly below the refuse fill. In some
areas, less distance, and even intermittent contact is allowed when
only certain types of inert solid wastes are placed in the fill.
General Information
The use of ravines for disposal sites is possible where water
courses are involved, but something must be done to get the water
through the fill. Storm sewers may be built before the fill is con-
structed. This adds to the cost, but it has been done successfully
with corrugated metal pipe and also with concrete pipe. This is
not done too often, but it is possible.
Two ways have been used to minimize pollution at a disposal
site: sealing the site before starting the fill; and making the fill
so dense that, by actual measurement, the resistance to the passage
of water is higher through the fill than it is through the undisturbed
soil.
20
-------
Los Angeles Requirements
Two of the basic requirements for a satisfactory sanitary
landfill in Los Angeles County follow:
1. "The site should be located at or near the upstream
boundary of the watershed on which it is located to avoid storm
flow hazards. "
2. "The geology and hydrology of the formation underlying
the site should be such that the cuts or fills would never penetrate
a useable ground water supply. "
A California Water Pollution Control Region
The Water Pollution Control Region, that has jurisdiction in
the Los Angeles and Ventura watershed areas has established three
classes of disposal sites.
1. "Sites located on non-water-bearing rocks, or underlain
by isolated bodies of unuseable ground water, which are protected
from surface runoff and where surface drainage can be restricted
to the site or discharged to a suitable wasteway, and where safe
limitations exist with respect to the potential radius of percolation. "
2. "Sites underlain by useable, confined, or free ground water,
when the minimum elevation of the dump can be maintained above
anticipated high ground water elevation, and which are protected
21
-------
from surface runoff and where surface drainage can be restricted
to the site or discharged to a suitable wasteway. "
3. "Sites so located as to afford little or no protection to
useable waters of the State. "
The following is an indication of the nature of wastes accept-
able at each class of disposal sites.
1. "No limitation as to either solid or liquid wastes. "
2. "Limited to ordinary household and commercial refuse
and/or rubbish, garbage, other decomposable organic refuse, and
scrap metal .... at safe elevations above the anticipated high
ground water elevation in the vicinity of the site. "
3. "Limited to non-water soluble, nondecomposable inert
solids . . . . "
Illinois and Idaho Recommendations
Illinois and Idaho have similar recommendations to mini-
mize the possibility of underground pollution.
1. "Do not build on exposed rock strata. Keep a minimum
of 30 feet clay-till overburden between strata and refuse, unless
studies indicate that a lesser depth is satisfactory.
2. "Locate fill at least 500 feet from drift wells, unless
studies indicate subsurface seepage is not imminent.
22
-------
3. "Do not place garbage and refuse in mines or other areas
•where resulting seepage or leachate may carry waste to water-
bearing strata or wells. Remember that chemical pollution may
emanate from a fill and probably will travel for long distances as
compared to organic and bacterial pollution travel.
4. "Do not locate sanitary fills on or near springs.
5. "Consult the state department of reclamation, state geol-
ogist, and the state department of public health regarding any pro-
blems of possible underground pollution. "
VI. GUIDELINES
Suggested Management Guides
Guides to enable management to judge the acceptability of a
Q
waste disposal site are listed:
1. "Where the waste release is in the zone of unsaturated
rock materials above the water table, information should be avail-
able on the composition and thickness of the materials in this zone,
on the kind and degree of porosity and permeability in this zone,
and on the position of waste release within the zone.
2. "General knowledge of the natural direction and rate of
flow of groundwater between waste-disposal sites and places of
natural groundwater discharge.
23
-------
3. "Knowledge of the
a. particular waste,
b. its relative degree of attenuation in clay, sand, or
rock environment, and
c. its approximate rate of movement in comparison to
that of groundwater.
4. "Knowledge of the extent of hydraulic connection between
waste in the ground and places of withdrawal of groundwater.
5. "Historical knowledge of the use of the ground for water
supply and waste disposal in the area of concern. . . . "
6. "Knowledge of the risks to health from specific types of
wastes if the wastes get into a surface stream, into vegetation, or
into a groundwater supply.
7. "Full consideration of all possible courses of action con-
cerning waste practices in relation to a specific situation. . . . "
Guides to Good Practices
1. Never place solid wastes in direct contact with a groundwater
supply. Since a groundwater mound may be formed, a minimum
of 7 feet of separation is desirable.
2. Do not locate solid wastes on or near water-bearing strata,
springs, wells, or where seepage or leachate may cause con-
tamination.
24
-------
3. Minimize surface water passing over or through a disposal
site by instituting proper drainage. Cover and grade a finished
site so that runoff does not flow across the fill area.
4. Follow recommended procedure for the operation and mainte-
nance of a sanitary landfill, utilizing sound engineering prac-
tices and judgment.
5. Do not intentionally add water to a solid waste disposal site.
6. Consult with local, State and Federal agencies in the fields of
public health, water pollution, reclamation, geology, and
hydrology regarding any problem of possible water pollution.
7. To aid in preventing many problems before they occur, carefully
select site and evaluate its entire physical environment.
8. Do not depend on ventilation to relieve produced gases; do not
depend on coatings to decrease the permeability of the disposal
pit surfaces.
9. Avoid leaching at the disposal site itself, and do not depend on
dilution.
10. Because solid wastes absorb water, do not mix them with water.
VII. SUMMARY
Water pollution caused by improper solid waste disposal is
a serious problem. The first step in solving it should be to select
25
-------
an appropriate site and to acquire a thorough knowledge of its
physical environment, including, geologic, hydrologic, andmeteor-
ologic parameters. These conditions should be considered in order
to minimize potential contamina' ion of ground or surface water by
the refuse. Areas where problems exist, or are thought to be pre-
sent, should be avoided. Care should be taken to forsee problems
that may occur and, to avoid them by selecting if possible, another
site. In operating the disposal site, proper practices and mainte-
nance, as well as the use of sound engineering judgment should be
continuous.
The sanitary landfill, by definition, disposes of solid wastes
on land without creating any nuisances or hazards to public health.
If every landfill operated were truly sanitary, there would be no
problems. It would, therefore, be advantageous to require that all
solid wastes disposal sites be operated as, or converted to, sani-
tary landfills.
The possibility of pollution will exist as long as we dispose
of solid wastes in or on the land. Every attempt should be made to
minimize the possibility of contamination. Each site should be
selected and considered individually.
Polluting substances can leave the solid wastes fill as dissolved
solids or as gases. Dissolved solids occur only through the
26
-------
development of leachate, but gases may move because of gravity or
pressure differential. Some solids become leachable only upon
decomposition, and gas is produced as a result of the decomposition.
Physical and biological contamination can occur, but the most
serious problem is that of chemical pollution. Solid wastes contain
minerals and organic substances in quantities capable of seriously
damaging water supplies.
State agencies may have made recommendations and conclu-
sions to be followed in order to minimize the possibility of ground-
water pollution. Local regulations that may affect a given situation
should be evaluated.
A properly located and operated sanitary landfill, one that is
properly covered and graded, will minimize potential water pollution
problems.
VIII. REFERENCES
1. Mix, S. A. Solid wastes: every day another 800 million pounds.
Today's Health, 44(3):46-48, Mar. 1966.
2. Engineering Science, Inc. Effects of refuse dumps on ground
water quality. Publication No. 24. Sacramento, The
Resources Agency of California, State Water Pollution
Control Board, 1961. 107 p.
27
-------
3. Weaver, L. Refuse disposal, its significance. RATSEC
Technical Report W-61-5. In Ground water contamination,
proceedings of a 1961 symposium, Cincinnati, Robert A.
Taft Sanitary Engineering Center, 1961. p. 104-110.
4. Andersen, J. R. , and J. N. Dornbush. Influence of sanitary
landfill on ground water quality. Journal American Water
Works Association, 59(4):457-470, Apr. 1967.
5. California State Water Pollution Control Board. Report on the
investigation of leaching of a sanitary landfill. Publication
No. 10. Sacramento, California State Water Pollution
Control Board, 1954. 96 p.
6. Farvolden, R. N. Hydrogeology of solid waste disposal sites.
Demonstration Grant No. 1-D01-SW-00006-01. In_Pro-
gress Report No. 1, U.S. Public Health Service, Urbana,
Illinois, Feb. 1967. 7 p.
7. Committee on Refuse Disposal, American Public Works Associ-
ation. Municipal refuse disposal. 2d ed. Chicago,
Public Administration Service, 1966. 528 p.
8. LeGrand, H. E. Management aspects of groundwater contami-
nation. Journal Water Pollution Control Federation,
36(9):1133-1145, Sept. 1964.
9. Discussion. In Technical and planning aspects of solid wastes;
proceedings of a short course, Ohio Department of Health
and U.S. Public Health Service, Columbus, Ohio,
Sept. 20-24, 1965. p. F-9.
10. Hackett, J. E. Ground-water contamination in an urban environ-
ment. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the
Geological Society of America, New York, Nov. 1963.
4 p.
11. Furness, J. F. Disposal of household refuse in wet gravel pits.
Public Cleansing, 57(5):255-259, May 1967.
12. U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Public
Health Service drinking water standards. Public Health
Service Publication No. 956. Washington, U.S. Govern-
ment Printing Office, 1962. 61 p.
28
-------
13. New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission.
General policy, classification and standards of quality
for interstate waters. Boston, New England Interstate
Water Pollution Control Commission, Apr. 1967. lip.
14. Personal communication, Michael E. Jensen, Staff Engineer,
Research Activity, Solid Wastes Program, National Center
for Urban and Industrial Health, Cincinnati, Oct. 1967.
15. Black, R. J. A report on the feasibility of using sites with
high ground water for sanitary landfill operation in
Broward County, Florida. 1961. Mimeo. 11 p.
29
------- |