Abstract
Landfill leachate poses challenges to physical, chemical, and biological processes at wastewater treatment plants. This study investigated the potential for highly treated landfill leachate to be reclaimed for irrigation or industrial applications. Four ultra-filtration reverse osmosis (UF-RO) pre-treatment alternatives were compared: 1) no pretreatment, 2) activated sludge, 3) constructed wetlands (CWs), and 4) adsorbent-enhanced CWs. Both CWs treatments were composed of a series of subsurface vertical-flow and horizontal-flow units. Pilot CW studies were carried out with and without zeolite addition to the vertical-flow CW and biochar addition to the horizontal-flow CW. Additional samples were collected of untreated and activated sludge treated leachate. The scenarios were systematically assessed through chemical characterization, UF-RO simulations, and a net present value analysis. The landfill leachate treatment train consisting of adsorbent-enhanced CW followed by UF-RO attained the highest water recovery rate and greatest cost savings compared with untreated landfill leachate disposal. The addition of low-cost adsorbents to CWs is a promising approach for enhanced pre-treatment prior to UF-RO for landfill leachate reclamation.
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