Zero leakage? Landfill liner and capping systems in Germany

An approach to achieve ‘zero leakage’ is discussed with respect to experience in Germany, where strict regulations for landfill lining and capping systems have been developed and issued because of large environmental problems related to landfills that accumulated in the 1970s and 1980s. Using a thick, high-quality high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane (GM) that is installed free of residual waves and wrinkles in intimate contact with a compacted clay liner or geosynthetic clay liner of very low permeability, by a qualified, experienced, well-equipped and properly third-party-controlled installer, and which is protected by heavy protection layers designed with respect to the long-term performance of the GM may result in a liner or capping system of practically no leakage. This is demonstrated by analysing results of measurements obtained from permanently installed leak-detection systems in combination with HDPE GMs. The survey was based on 32 German landfills with 1 276 500 m² of installed GMs.