Groundwater Pollution and the Need for Improved Landfill Monitoring

If you own or operate a landfill and don’t want to face unneeded problems, it’s important you consider how your landfill impacts local groundwater. Laws and regulations require all landfills to prevent pollutants from entering the water, and you could find yourself in a bad position if you fail to do so.

The good news is that you can take steps to monitor groundwater and ensure that your landfill is not leaking pollutants. We are about to explore groundwater facts and how groundwater pollution affects the public. You will also discover how you can implement sensors and technology to eliminate groundwater contamination before it happens.

Keep reading to learning why it may be time to upgrade your landfill monitoring system.

Groundwater Facts

Groundwater usually begins as rain falls onto the ground and settles into the dirt. As the water settles, it passes through layers of sand and rock until it reaches the reservoir at the bottom. Wells and pumps can then access the groundwater and transport it to homes and businesses in the area.

While the rocks and sand remove contaminants from the water, they also add minerals, creating hard water. Many people who use well water also use water softeners to remove the minerals from their water. If you shower using hard water, it can cause dry skin and other problems you want to avoid.

Pollution From Landfills

Your landfill contains decomposing garbage and a range of hazardous substances nobody should consume. When it rains, water drops hit the garbage and travel to the ground, and they bring plenty of contaminants with them. The toxic liquid that settles at the bottom of landfills is called leachate.

If your landfill has a reservoir under it, the contaminants can get into the water supply unless you are proactive in stopping it. Make sure the barriers you use are effective at preventing contaminants from your landfill from entering the water supply.

Additional Sources of Groundwater Pollution

While landfills are a source of groundwater contamination, many other things can also add to the problem. Some people dump or spill oil on the ground to get rid of it, and the oil can leak into the water supply as a result. Some sources of groundwater pollution are natural, and some soils and rocks release harmful compounds into the groundwater.

Fluorides and arsenic are just two examples of contaminants you could find in your drinking water. Although small amounts of those substances are not a cause for concern, the concentration of those substances can add up over time and create a health risk for those in the area.

Groundwater Monitoring

Groundwater monitoring is the process of actively measuring the quality of water in an environment. Water and wastewater treatment centers and water supply centers are the most common facilities that need to monitor their water quality, but landfills must also do the same.

The advances in technology make it easier than ever for landfill operators to monitor their groundwater quality. A groundwater monitoring system can detect contaminants and alert facility operators of the problem, and many systems also track water quality over time so that you can measure the effectiveness of your filtration process.

High Tide Technologies

If you want a groundwater monitoring system you can trust, High Tide Technologies is the solution for which you have been looking. High Tide offers flexible cloud-based SCADA monitoring solutions that keep you updated at all times, sending you instant alerts when problems occur.

Our system uses sensors that detect the quality of your groundwater and makes it available on our secure servers at all times. If the groundwater has contaminants that could cause harm, you will know about it right away. Remote monitoring your landfill will allow you to respond promptly and reduce the negative environmental impact.

You can spot weaknesses in your barrier or filtration system and react before they progress by setting up preventative maintenance alerts. With our system in place, you will have confidence that your landfill is not polluting your local water supply.