Question

Name two precautions while choosing landfill sites.

Answer 1

The following factors are considered at the time of site selection for the landfill.

1. Accessibility: Landfill sites should be located at the sites which are near to the waste generation areas so as to lower the cost of transportation. The site should be located either centrally or near the source of generation.
2. Land requirement and its cost: The area of land needed depends upon the quantity and quality of solid wastes, degree of compaction to be obtained, ratio of the cover material, and depth of the fill. To hold large quantities of waste, the landfill sites should be sufficiently deep. Deep sites can work for longer periods.
3. Cover material: A sanitary landfill requires at least 15 cm of thick compacted soil at the end of each day's work.
4. Climate: The frequency of rainfall, the velocity and direction of prevailing wind, and the overall temperature-time relationship are the factors to be considered for a particular site.