Division 3.2
United Kingdom
The geological barrier is determined by geological and hydrogeological conditions below and in the vicinity of a landfill site providing sufficient attenuation capacity to prevent a potential risk to soil and groundwater.
The landfill base and sides shall consist of a mineral layer which satisfies permeability and thickness requirements with a combined effect in terms of protection of soil, groundwater and surface water at least equivalent to the one resulting from the following requirements:
-
landfill for hazardous waste: K ≤ 1,0 × 10- 9 m/s; thickness ≥ 5 m,
-
landfill for non-hazardous waste: K ≤ 1,0 × 10- 9 m/s; thickness ≥ 1 m,
-
landfill for inert waste: K ≤ 1,0 × 10- 7 m/s; thickness ≥ 1 m,
Where the geological barrier does not naturally meet the above conditions it can be completed artificially and reinforced by other means giving equivalent protection. An artificially established geological barrier should be no less than 0,5 metres thick.