California Code of Regulations
Title 23 - Waters
Division 3 - State Water Resources Control Board and Regional Water Quality Control Boards
Chapter 15 - Discharges of Hazardous Waste to Land
Article 4 - Construction Standards for Class I Units
Section 2543 - Leachate Collection and Removal Systems

Universal Citation: 23 CA Code of Regs 2543

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Leachate collection and removal systems are required for Class I landfills, surface impoundments, and waste piles. The systems shall be installed directly above underlying containment features for landfills and waste piles, and installed between the liners for surface impoundments. Leachate collection and removal systems requirements are summarized on Table 4.1.

(b) Where leachate collection and removal systems are used, they shall be installed immediately above the liner, or between the inner and outer liner of a double-liner system, and shall be designed, constructed, maintained, and operated to collect and remove twice the maximum anticipated daily volume of leachate from the waste management unit.

(c) Regional boards shall specify design and operating conditions in waste discharge requirements to ensure that there is no buildup of hydraulic head on the liner. The depth of fluid in the collection sump shall be kept at the minimum needed to ensure efficient pump operation.

(d) Leachate collection and removal systems shall be designed and operated to function without clogging through the scheduled closure of the waste management unit and during the post-closure maintenance period. The systems shall be tested at least annually to demonstrate proper operation. The results of the tests shall be compared with earlier tests made under comparable conditions.

(e) Leachate collection and removal system shall consist of a permeable subdrain layer which covers the bottom of the waste management unit and extends as far up the sides as possible, (i.e., blanket-type). The collection and removal system shall be of sufficient strength and thickness to prevent collapse under the pressures exerted by overlying wastes, waste cover materials, and by any equipment used at the waste management units.

(f) [Reserved.]

(g) Collected leachate shall be system returned to the waste management unit(s) from which it came or discharged in another manner approved by he regional board. Collected leachate may be discharged to a different waste management unit if:

(1) the receiving waste management unit has a leachate collection and removal system, contains wastes which are similar in classification and characteristics to those in the waste management unit(s) from which leachate was extracted, and has at least the same classification under Article 3 of this chapter as the units from which leachate was extracted; and

(2) the discharge to a different waste management unit is approved by the regional board; and

(3) the discharge of leachate to a different waste management unit shall not exceed the moisture-holding capacity of the receiving unit, and shall comply with Subsection 2520(d) of this chapter.

1. Amendment of subsections (a) and (e), repealer of subsection (f), and amendment of subsections (g)(1) and (g)(3) filed 6-18-97; operative 7-18-97 (Register 97, No. 25).

Note: Authority cited: Section 1058, Water Code. Reference: Sections 13172 and 13360, Water Code.

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