Leachate is the liquid that percolates through a landfill and extracts dissolved and suspended materials. Its generation is primarily driven by the water balance on the waste mass, where precipitation adds water and evapotranspiration removes it.
The net water input that can become leachate is the portion of precipitation that is not lost to evapotranspiration and is further moderated by the infiltration coefficient, which represents the fraction of water that actually infiltrates the waste body.
By applying a water‑balance approach, engineers can estimate the annual leachate volume using the landfill area and the net infiltrating water depth, providing a basis for design of collection and treatment systems.
P = annual precipitation (mm/yr)
ET = annual evapotranspiration (mm/yr)
Ci = infiltration coefficient (‑)
A = landfill area (ha)
What is leachate in a landfill?
How does precipitation affect leachate volume?
What is the role of evapotranspiration in leachate generation?
How does the infiltration coefficient influence leachate production?
Can you explain how to use this calculator for landfill management?
What factors are not considered in this leachate volume calculation?
How often should I update the data in this calculator for accurate results?
Results are for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional advice.