Leachate – What is it and Why is it a Problem?

When you hear the word leachate, what comes to mind?

Many, perhaps, would imagine a small polluted stream of water. Others might immediately think of landfills and the problems caused by the unsustainable disposal of waste material for decades.

The latter, of course, is correct while the polluted stream may be true sometimes. Leachate is the term used for any liquid produced by the action of ‘leaching’. Leachate is the water that has percolated through any permeable material. Please click on the cover below, or click here to read an electronic pdf version of the full article.