Landfill Leachate Treatment: Complete Guide for India

What is Leachate?

Leachate is the liquid that forms when water filters through waste in a landfill. It contains high concentrations of:

• Organic matter (COD: 500-50,000 mg/L)
• Ammonia nitrogen
• Heavy metals
• Chlorides
• Total Dissolved Solids (TDS: 1,000-30,000 mg/L)

Leachate Characteristics by Age

Leachate composition changes as landfill ages:

• Young landfill (<5 years): High organic acids, low ammonia, pH 4-6
• Medium age (5-10 years): Methanogenic, stable, pH 7-8
• Old landfill (>10 years): Low organics, high ammonia, pH 8-9

Leachate Treatment Technologies

1. Biological Treatment

Suitable for young leachate with high BOD/COD ratio. Methods include:

• Activated sludge
• Sequencing batch reactors (SBR)
• MBR (Membrane Bioreactor)

2. Physicochemical Treatment

For mature leachate with low BOD/COD:

• Coagulation-flocculation
• Advanced oxidation (Ozone, Fenton)
• Membrane processes (NF, RO)

3. Evaporation-Based Treatment

Asiatic Engineers' non-thermal evaporation system is ideal for:

• Concentrating leachate before discharge
• Achieving zero liquid discharge
• Handling high TDS and ammonia
• Reducing disposal volume by 90%+

Leachate Treatment in India - Challenges

• Regulatory pressure: CPCB guidelines strict on landfill Leachate
• Variable composition: Hard to standardize treatment
• Cost: Treatment can cost ₹200-500 per cubic meter
• Infrastructure: Many landfills lack proper collection/treatment

Case Study: Municipal Landfill Leachate (Gujarat)

Client: Municipal corporation in Gujarat

Problem: 100 m³/day leachate with TDS 15,000 mg/L

Solution: Asiatic Engineers Non-Thermal Evaporation System

Results:

• 95% volume reduction
• Recovered water for reuse in gardening
• ₹40 lakh annual savings vs tanker disposal
• GPCB compliance achieved

Conclusion

Leachate management is critical for India's waste sector. A combination of biological treatment for young leachate and evaporation for final concentration offers the most cost-effective solution.

Need leachate treatment solution? Contact Asiatic Engineers: +91 98240 54002