Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1994

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Fluet, J. E. Jr.

Thesis/Dissertation Co-Chair

Scarlatos, Panagiotis (Pete) D.

Abstract

Modem technology has led to a new generation of landfill liner systems that are highly efficient at intercepting and removing leachate. Many of the modem 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 modem 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. This thesis reports the results of research conducted at eleven landfills constructed with modem landfill liner systems to determine the actual and probable efficacy of the role o: monitoring wells, and conducts a cost-saving analysis to evaluate whether funds would have been better spent elsewhere.

Extent

99 p.

Comments

College of Engineering and Computer Science|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1994.|College of Engineering and Computer Science

Identifier

FADT15019

Format

pdf

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