The American Society of Civil Engineers published: Water Balance Covers for Waste Containment Principles and Practice.

William Albright, Ph.D., DRI research hydrogeologist, is lead author of a new book about selection and design of an innovative new method for final closure of solid waste landfills. Dr. Albright collaborated with colleagues Dr. Craig Benson, Wisconsin Distinguished Professor of geological engineering at the University of Wisconsin and Dr. W. Joseph Waugh, a senior scientist with the U.S. Department of Energy Environmental Sciences Laboratory to provide engineers, designers and regulators with the basic principles behind the new cover designs which offer reduced cost, excellent environmental performance and improved end land use.

“Tens of millions of dollars have already been saved by landfill owners that used these practices,” Albright said. “It is very satisfying to see the connection between scientific research and practical application with huge cost savings.”

This book presents the results of a decade of field research regarding final covers for containing solid waste. Water balance covers (also known as store-and-release, evapotranspiration, or ET covers) are an effective and efficient alternative to conventional clay liner or geosynthetic covers, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. The new designs use and enhance natural processes to minimize the percolation of rainwater through the soil and thus the production of landfill leachate.

With more than two decades of experience working on basic and applied final cover hydrology and practical application in real-world landfill setting, the authors share the best practices with the readers. The book is a detailed analysis of the fundamentals of soil physics and design issues, introduction to applicable ecological concepts and revegetation practices, and construction, modeling, and maintenance. Case studies drawn from current field testing add depth to the analysis.
This book will be valuable to practicing civil and geotechnical engineers, as well as regulators and landfill managers because of the collaborative effort between the researchers, regulatory agencies and industry.

DRI is a leader in the field of waste containment research and design and is a key institution in the USEPA’s Alternative Cover Assessment Program (ACAP). Visit the web site for more information and publications from the ACAP research program.

ACAP is an innovative partnership of industry, the USEPA, other federal agencies, state regulatory agencies, and scientists and engineers from four major research institutions. The program grew out of an opportunity to respond to the needs of both the landfill industry and regulatory agencies to provide environmentally responsible and cost effective methods to close landfills.

ASCE publishes high quality, authoritative books that represent the best thinking in civil engineering research and practice. Prior to publication each title is exhaustively peer-reviewed by groups of subject matter experts. ASCE publish more than 1,500 Standards, Manuals of Practice, Committee Reports, Proceedings, and ASCE Press titles.

To purchase a copy of the book or for further information visit: http://www.asce.org/Product.aspx?id=2147489020.