PFAS · Sources in the Sewershed
Why Does Landfill Leachate Matter for PFAS?
Landfill leachate forms when water moves through waste and collects dissolved and suspended material. Because landfills receive many PFAS-containing products, leachate can contain a mixture of PFAS and precursor compounds. Some landfills discharge leachate to a publicly owned treatment works under authorization.
Before accepting leachate, the utility should understand volume, variability, hauling or pipeline schedule, pretreatment, analytical history, and permit conditions. PFAS is not the only concern. Leachate may also carry high ammonia, organic strength, salts, metals, or other contaminants that affect the plant.
Returning PFAS-bearing residuals to a landfill that sends leachate back to the same plant can create a cycle. Map both the liquid and solid routes when evaluating management options.
Key point: Acceptance decisions need both PFAS information and the full leachate load.
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PFAS in Wastewater: Sources, Sampling, Source Control, and Residuals
This page comes from the course. It covers PFAS sources in the sewershed, how PFAS moves through a treatment plant, sampling and lab methods, source control, treatment residuals and biosolids, one step at a time, with short knowledge checks and a certificate of completion.
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