Leachate Generation Calculator

Work out leachate generation instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Leachate Generation Calculator

Leachate generation follows a water balance: rainfall on the active area, less runoff and evapotranspiration, gives infiltration; part is absorbed by unsaturated waste and the remainder emerges as leachate. Active uncapped areas generate far more than capped ones, which is why minimising the open working face matters.

Formula

Water balance

Infiltration = area x rainfall x infiltration coefficient; leachate = infiltration x (1 - absorption)

Worked example

With the default values below, Leachate Generation Calculator returns Annual Leachate Generation of 5,355.0. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Active Tipping Areaminimum 0 m2: 20,000 m2
Annual Rainfallminimum 0 mm: 900 mm
Infiltration Coefficientaccepts 0–100 %: 35 %
Absorbed By Wasteaccepts 0–60 %: 15 %

Results

Annual Leachate Generation: 5,355.0
Average Daily Leachate: 14.671
Infiltration Into Waste: 6,300.0
Total Rainfall On Active Area: 18,000.0

Step by step

1Values used
2Water balance
3Annual Leachate Generation= 5,355.0
4Average Daily Leachate= 14.671
5Infiltration Into Waste= 6,300.0
6Total Rainfall On Active Area= 18,000.0

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax or fees or charges into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
Leachate is a hazardous liquid requiring engineered containment, collection and treatment under permit. Uncontrolled release contaminates groundwater and is a serious offence.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Leachate is a hazardous liquid requiring engineered containment, collection and treatment under permit. Uncontrolled release contaminates groundwater and is a serious offence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does leachate volume matter so much?

It must be collected, stored and treated, usually at high cost because of ammonia and organic strength. Leachate treatment often dominates a landfill's operating cost and its post-closure liability.

How is generation reduced?

Progressive capping, minimising the open face, surface water diversion away from waste, and temporary geomembrane covers over intermediate areas.