While selecting a site, a number of points need be considered:

i) Land Requirement: The volume of fill required depends upon density, degree of compaction, depth of fill and life for which the site is to be used. The volume required will change in different cases. At a waste generation rate of $0.33 \text{kg/capita/day}$ and final 'in situ' density of $1000 kg/m^3$, about $150,000 m^3$ will be needed per million population for one year's operation.

ii) Land Use Restrictions: The town planning authorities should be consulted before selecting a particular site so that it is compatible with their plans.

iii) Approach: The site should be easily accessible for vehicles throughout the year. It is desirable that narrow bridges, steep grades and roads that are likely to be submerged during some periods are avoided. Such sites receive additional loads from other processing and disposal site (which may not be working) in which case alternate approach roads will be needed. Such sites should not be too close to residential and commercial localities.

iv) Haul Distance: Provided all the other conditions are satisfied, the site should be as near the area to be served as possible. Larger the haul distance to the site, the larger will be the recurring transportation cost.

v) Cover Material: If the required soil cover is available at the site itself, no additional expenditure need be incurred on transporting it to the landfill site. A soil analysis along with the depth to which it is available is also necessary.

vi) Hydro-geological Investigations: The rainwater percolating through the solid waste tends to carry large amount of pollutants to the groundwater if the underlying strata is pervious or fissured. NEERI studies have shown that the leachate coming out is highly polluting (15 to 20 times more concentrated than the domestic waste water).

Table: Pollution of Groundwater in kg/tonne of Refuse

Table above gives pollution load contributed by such leachates. As the pollution introduced is high, unless proper precautions are taken it is likely to cause problems by getting drawn up through a dug well or other sources of water (as shown in figure below). To avoid leachate contamination of groundwater, an impermeable barrier in the form of a puddled clay blanket should be provided. A thin plastic membrane could be provided and the leachate collected taken out through specific points, treated and then let out to meet water pollution control regulations.

vii) Surface Water Pollution: Surface water during its flow over the deposited waste may carry along some pollutants. Water courses flowing across the site should be diverted, and the surface water due to precipitation prevented from reaching the water course by an impermeable barrier.