Design Challenge of Converting Thirupperumthurai Dumpsite Quarry to a Landfill Bioreactor

Sadn Senevirathne,Ash Chandrasena,Bfa Basnayake,Np Rathnayake

doi:10.4038/tar.v21i4.3313

Abstract

The poor disposal practices of the Batticaloa Municipal Council (BMC) at the Thirupperumthuai abandoned gravel quarry are causing environmental problems. North East Coastal Community Development Project (NECCDEP) with collaboration of Provincial Council and BMC accepted to rehabilitate the dumpsite quarry and establish proper solid waste management system in Thirupperumthurai as a sustainable solution. The Solid Waste Management Research Unit (SWMRU) of the University of Peradeniya has developed technologies that can be adapted to dryer climatic conditions. The intention of the project was to construct an above ground landfill bioreactor on a firm ground above the flood level on the quarry with old waste fill considering 30% settlement. The area of the quarry is 11715 m 2 . Average depth is 5 m. Soil permeability near to housing is 50 x10 -5 m/s and 1x10 -8 m/s for other areas of clayey soils. The width of the landfill is 55 m and total extent is 11,115 m 2 . The design capacity of the landfill is 38,300 tonnes for three years. The expected quality of leachate emissions from old wastes is initially around 3500 mg/l BOD and would reduce to 1000 mg/l BOD after 100 days. Two biofilm composite liners will prevent leachate contamination from old and new wastes. The leachate treatment requirement is 28m 3 day for four months in a constructed wetland of 56m 2 with an effective depth of 0.5 m to bring the BOD to less than 400 mg/l within a day. Irrigation requirement of the landfill bioreactor is 220 m 3 /day and envisaged to store a larger portion in the old waste fill and pond waters. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tar.v21i4.3313 TAR 2010; 21(3): 368-377

Highlights

Batticaloa Municipal Council (BMC) serves many sectors such as industrial, agricultural and health over an extent of 79.09 km2 with a population of 84,000
The lacking of a proper disposal facility for wastes generated in the city is causing enormous environmental and socio-economic problems with the poor disposal practices at an abandoned quarry at Thirupperumthuai
BMC envisages the establishment of an Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) system which will prevent or minimize existing social and environmental impacts

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Batticaloa Municipal Council (BMC) serves many sectors such as industrial, agricultural and health over an extent of 79.09 km with a population of 84,000. Recognizing the potential and technological advantages of these innovations, North East Coastal Community Development Project (NECCDEP) in collaboration with the Provincial Council, wanted to develop a sustainable solution for BMC to rehabilitate the dumpsite quarry and establish a proper solid waste management system in Thirupperumthurai. The NECCDEP made considerable efforts to find alternate sites for the integrated system, since the carrying capacity of the quarry is becoming less and less, day by day Even if another site is available, the wastes disposed in the quarry are polluting the surroundings habitats, the wells. The wastes already decomposing in the quarry dump should be removed and disposed over a suitable liner system rather than importing soil from elsewhere Both the rehabilitation of dumpsite and constructing landfill bioreactors in dry climatic conditions with cyclonic weather conditions necessitated novel design approaches that required validation. This paper highlights the challengers with well defined design criteria while providing assured solutions for developing a sustainable landfill system

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

99.3 Water table 5m