Borehole dilution tests to measure leachate flow at a recirculation landfill

Abstract

The recirculation and infiltration of leachate in landfills may be carried out to facilitate the flushing of contaminants and accelerate the stabilisation of waste. Flushing contaminants through recirculation relies on the movement of fluids through the landfill body to basal drains, which will predominantly be driven by gravity. Leachate recirculation and infiltration measures commenced at de Kragge II landfill (Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands) in March 2018. Up to 90 m3/day of treated leachate is recirculated into the top of a 20 m deep, 5 ha landfill cell through 14 horizontal drains installed at the surface. Poor connectivity between the waste and the basal drainage system has resulted in saturated conditions forming in the lower 7-8 m of the landfill. Knowledge about the leachate flow within the waste body is essential for evaluating the success of the stabilisation measures. To investigate the flow regime within the saturated waste, 22 Single Borehole Dilution tests were carried out in 13 piezometers at different depths, between 8.4 and 18.1 m below ground level, and locations across the landfill cell. Tests were repeated in a number of the piezometers to demonstrate repeatability. Flow was measured in all piezometers. Calculated Darcy flow velocities ranged between 0.01 and 1.02 m/day, with the highest velocities measured in the deepest piezometers. Four tests were carried out in one nest of piezometers installed at different depths, with the leachate recirculation system switched off for two days prior to and during the test. Although flows were somewhat higher in two of the piezometers, it was not possible to conclude whether the infiltration of leachate significantly influences flow.