Understand collection, contaminants, and treatment of landfill leachate—even without a wastewater background.

Course Description

Landfill leachate is one of the most complex and variable wastewater streams produced in municipal and industrial landfills. Its composition changes over time, contains high ammonia, COD, metals, and refractory organics—and treating it is challenging.
This course is designed for engineers, plant staff, and landfill managers who are not wastewater specialists but need to understand leachate generation, collection systems, and treatment methods.
We focus on practical knowledge: how leachate behaves, what equipment is used, how to estimate flows, and which treatment strategies work best for young vs. old leachate, and municipal vs. industrial sites. You’ll also learn about stormwater interaction, collection system design, and regulatory expectations.
If you deal with landfills, environmental compliance, or wastewater from solid waste facilities, this course gives you the clarity and tools to participate confidently in leachate treatment decisions.

Who Should Attend

Solid Waste Engineers | Environmental Consultants | Landfill Operators | Project Managers | Civil Engineers | Process Engineers | Environmental Compliance Officers | Municipal Engineers

Training Methodology

✔ Plain-language explanations for non-wastewater professionals

✔ Design rules, layout principles, and practical examples

✔ Flow diagrams and system components explained visually

✔ Real-world case studies and system sizing tips

✔ Worksheets to compare treatment options and flowrate forecasting

Organizational Benefits

Comply confidently with environmental discharge regulations
Reduce treatment cost by better design of collection and flow equalization
Choose the right technology for your site’s leachate age and characteristics

What You Will Learn

✔ What leachate is and how it's formed during landfill operation and closure

✔ Differences between young and old leachate (composition, flowrate, treatment needs)

✔ Leachate collection system basics

✔ Flowrate estimation over time

✔ The main contaminants in leachate: COD, BOD, NH₃, metals, refractory organics

✔ Common treatment methods: evaporation, SBR, MBR, RO, and wetlands

✔ Storage, holding, and emergency ponds sizing

Seminar Outline (Highlights)

Introduction to Landfills and Leachate • Evolution of landfill design • How cells generate leachate • Post-closure care and ongoing leachate generation
Leachate Flow Behavior and Forecasting • Young vs. aged leachate • Seasonal and climatic flow variation • Forecasting based on cell size and precipitation
Leachate Composition and Contaminants • Organics: VFA, COD, refractory compounds • Inorganics: ammonia, chloride, metals • BOD/COD ratio and implications on treatment
Treatment Technologies Simplified • Biological: SBR, MBR, lagoons • Physical-chemical: RO, ammonia stripping, carbon adsorption • Natural systems: wetlands • Blending and offsite hauling: pros and cons
Practical Considerations and System Integration • Storage and buffering systems • Instrumentation and monitoring • Regulatory expectations • Odor and nuisance control

Practical Takeaways

✔ Monthly leachate flow estimation worksheet

✔ Technology selection decision matrix

✔ BOD/COD ratio interpretation guide

✔ Example layouts of leachate ponds and sumps

✔ Leachate composition cheat sheet

✔ Certificate of completion

✔ Post-course Q&A support

Course FAQ

Q: Do I need a wastewater background to take this course?

 A: You need to have some knowledge about wastewater treatment techniques

Q: Are industrial landfills discussed?

 A: Yes, especially the difference in leachate content and treatment complexity.

Q: Will I learn how to size a pond or sump? 

A: Yes. The course includes basic rules of thumb and layout tips for both.

Q: Can I use this for regulatory review discussions? 

A: Definitely. You’ll understand enough to ask smart questions and challenge poor designs.

What Past Participants Say

— “I’ve worked at a landfill for 12 years—this was the first time I understood the full treatment process.” – Landfill Operator
— “It helped me decide which technology to propose for our new leachate line.” – Environmental Engineer
— “Practical, clear, and great visuals—makes a complex topic approachable.” – Waste Management Consultant