SWS has been undertaking a 18-month trial of a new leachate evaporation system at our Copping Waste Precinct.
When it rains on landfill sites, water naturally filters though waste and accumulates contaminants, turning into a liquid called leachate. In addition, the decomposition of organic waste material within the landfill releases additional liquid that is stored as leachate. Leachate has historically been collected and stored within the engineered landfill cell and then pumped into lined ponds onsite.
The leachate evaporation system, the BeneVap was developed by BeneTerra and processes collected leachate through an evaporation chamber heated to 1500°C. At this temperature, contaminants forcibly evaporate, reducing the volume of waste liquid by up to 95%.
SWS has engaged an Environmental Specialist to conduct environmental monitoring throughout the 18-month trial, with results being communicated with EPA.
This evaporation system has improved our environmental performance and site safety levels by reducing the volume of stored leachate within our engineered storage ponds. This technology has alleviated the need to construct more leachate storage ponds. BeneVap is an Australian designed and managed system and is successfully operating across several landfill sites in Australia and New Zealand.