TERMS OF REFERENCE
FIELD INVESTIGATIONS TO CONFIRM SITE SELECTION AND
CONDUCT PRELIMINARY DESIGN
FOR SANITARY LANDFILL
[], []
Introduction
The [] has about [] residents and currently generates from [] to [] tonnes/year of municipal solid waste
(i.e., mixed refuse from residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial establishments). Currently,
about 90 percent of the solid waste is collected. All collected waste is taken to municipal open dumps.
A proposed project for urban environmental development, to be financed by the [], will address
development of a new sanitary landfill to meet all of the []' needs for at least 20 years. These terms of
reference requires field investigations to confirm site selection already undertaken in previous studies
and to develop conceptual design and costing for the proposed new sanitary landfill.
The selected site has available about [] hectares. It is located in [] and is about [] kilometers from the
center of the urban area [].
Objectives
The objectives of the work to be conducted under these terms of reference are described below:

Verify the suitability of the selected site, based on field investigations of geologic,
geophysical, hydrogeologic, soils, and topographic conditions;

Verify that the selected site has at least [] years of capacity for sanitary landfilling of the []
municipal solid waste;

Verify that the selected site has at least [] years of soil of suitable properties to provide for
the construction of bunds and to meet all of the needs for cover material (including daily,
interim and final soil cover);

Develop appropriate mitigative measures for the conceptual design effort, depending on the
limitations of the site; and
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR GEOLOGIC AND SOIL SITE INVESTIGATIONS
FOR SANITARY LANDFILL
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Develop conceptual designs and provide budgetary cost estimates which are adequate for financial
appraisal, including a breakdown of foreign and local exchange, as well as a cash flow projection of
investment and operating costs.
For purposes of this work, Annex A provides general guidance on the design and siting criteria to be used
in developing sanitary landfills for financing of this project. Guidance developed by [] also to be
addressed.
Scope of Work
The required effort shall include the following tasks and whatever additional effort is necessary, based on
site-specific conditions, to address the above objectives.
Task 1 -- Project Landfill Space Requirements. Project the waste quantities to be produced by the [] over
the next [] year period starting [] years from today (assuming that it would take about [] years to design
and implement a new sanitary landfill). Estimate the size of sanitary landfill site required for a minimum
life of [] years. Estimate the truck traffic and road design standards which will be required to
accommodate the size and number of trucks anticipated.
For determination of the size of site required, it could be assumed that the final in-situ density of solid
waste after several years of consolidation will be at least 800 kg/cubic meter and that the ratio of soil
cover volume to solid waste volume will be 1to 6. Depth determined during final design of the proposed
landfill will depend upon site specific conditions of the soil depth to bedrock and topography. However,
for purposes of this initial task, an average depth of [] to [] meters may be assumed. Beyond the needs
for the landfill's cell development, the site requirements shall assume to be increased by about 10% for
the waste receiving area, 10% for the leachate treatment and evaporation area, and 10% for the
landscaped buffer zone.
For landfill sites located within 40 kilometers of the collection zone, it could be assumed that the
average truck capacity would be 10 cubic meters and the average load would be 4 tonnes. For longer
haul distances, it could be assumed that a transfer station would be implemented and the average transfer
truck capacity would be 40 cubic meters and the average load would be 20 tonnes.
Task 2 -- Topographic Survey. Topographic survey shall be done for the entire area needed for a 10 year
landfill life at proposed site. The survey shall be adequate to develop a topographic contour map with at
least 1 meter contour intervals. The perimeter boundary survey coordinates shall be mapped together
with the 1 meter topographic contours. All roads, surface waters, and major land marks shall be
indicated on the map, as well as survey bench marks. Identify all underground and overhead utility
systems on the topographic survey maps, including water supply wells and lines, drainage channels and
culverts, sewerage, cables, drains, gas lines, telephone lines and poles, and electrical lines and poles.
Identify all structures, including squatter housing and animal corrals. The map shall be at a scale of at
least 1:500.
Task 3 -- Base Map. Locate the site on a macro-scale topographic survey map with 5 meter contour
intervals and with a scale of at least 1:10,000 for an area of at least 3 kilometers around the site. If a
macro-scale topographic survey map is not available from the government of [], it shall be developed
through aerial photography. Show all paved and unpaved roads on the macro-scale topographic map, as
well as all streams, rivers, lakes, utility lines, and water supply wells.
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR GEOLOGIC AND SOIL SITE INVESTIGATIONS
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Task 4 -- Contextual Setting. Conduct a review of available literature, well logs, boring logs, soil logs
and water quality analyses for the study area. Describe the regional contextual setting of geology, soils,
groundwater flow, and water quality based on this review and the macro-scale topographic survey map
developed under Task 1. Provide a map of existing drinking water and irrigation well locations,
watershed catchment divides, water intakes, etc., within 3 kilometers of the site and note the depth of
each well where information is available from borehole log records or from property owners' records.
Task 5 -- Test Pits. Test pits at the proposed landfill site shall be excavated to a depth of at least 2.0
meters (or only to bedrock, if the soil mantle is less than 2.0 meters deep). Soil profiles and high
groundwater markings shall be photographed and described. There shall be at least one test pit for every
hectare of site required for the proposed sanitary landfill.
Task 6 -- Borings. Borings shall be drilled through the soil column to unweathered bedrock, or to 30
meters depth, whichever is less. Conduct soils analysis and testing to classify and evaluate the strength
and settlement properties of the soil types encountered, as well as the permeability and attenuative
properties of the soil to act as a barrier to leachate generation and groundwater contamination. Analysis
and testing shall be conducted on disturbed and undisturbed soil samples in accordance with American
Standards for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or other comparable standards. All investigations and
analysis shall comply with government of []'s guidelines for soils surveys and testing. Classification, by
particle size, plasticity, moisture content, liquid limit, etc., shall be adequate to name each soil and
indicate whether it's mixture of silt, clay, sand, gravel, etc. Attenuative properties shall include cation
exchange capacity. There shall be at least one boring for every 3 hectares of site required for the
proposed sanitary landfill, and no less than 3 boreholes for the total site.
Task 7 -- Wells. Develop groundwater wells from some of the boreholes developed above, as needed, to
determine the groundwater level and flow patterns, as well as the overall permeability of the groundwater
regime and the potential for contaminated leachate from the proposed landfill to migrate. In at least 3 of
the boreholes, groundwater wells shall be constructed so that they shall function as permanent
groundwater monitoring wells. These wells shall be screened within the shallow aquifer, packed in
gravel, sealed with bentonite, and properly capped. One of the wells shall be subjected to a minimum 48
hour pumping test to determine aquifer permeability. Pump tests shall be conducted following continuous
pumping until stable conditions are achieved. Piezometric levels shall be measured in each of the wells
several times during the study period. Water quality samples shall be taken from at least one of the
wells, following pumping or baling of at least 3 well volumes. Provide a groundwater contour map,
showing the catchment area for the shallow local groundwater and at least 1 m contours of groundwater
levels.
Task 8 -- Geophysical Survey. If the overall depth of all soils underlying the entire site is less than 40
meters, conduct a geophysical survey using seismic refraction1 or electrical resistivity2, as appropriate for
the type of conditions anticipated at the site, along transverse lines throughout the area of the proposed
1
Seismic refraction utilizes sound transmission (refraction of sound waves) through the earth to project the depth and velocity of
layered materials. The method is used to assess bedrock topography, lithologic thickness and depth, water table depth, and
rippability velocities. Geophones measure sound travel times.
2 Electrical resistivity utilizes a four terminal electrode array to determine the ease with which an electrical current passes through
the earth. The method is used to define ground water contamination, water table depth, and lithologic units. It is effective for
plume mapping, by noting the change in subsurface salinity. Two potential electrodes measure the voltage drop and apparent
resistivity is calculated.
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR GEOLOGIC AND SOIL SITE INVESTIGATIONS
FOR SANITARY LANDFILL
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sanitary landfill. The survey shall be conducted along transverse lines spaced no more than 200 m apart
and shall be designed to characterize the integrity of the confining layer below the shallow aquifer and
identify major layers of soil, weathered bedrock, and depth to bedrock. At key anomalies, at least four on
the overall site, conduct vertical electrical soundings to obtain more detailed information on formation
resistivities.
Correlate information on the depth of the soil above bedrock and the depth to groundwater from the
geophysical survey with the information obtained from the borings and groundwater wells described
above, which shall include at least one confirmation boring for every 4 hectares. Provide geologic
profiles of the site, at a vertical scale no greater than 1:200, showing all significant soil and rock layers.
Based on the field investigations and information developed, determine whether any portions of the site
do not have adequate geotechnical integrity for development of a sanitary landfill and related
infrastructure, such as access and internal roads.
Evaluate the effects of seismic events on the site and subsurface soils, based on the soils and geotechnical
data base developed above, including: determine the recommended seismic design acceleration, select the
response spectrum appropriate to site conditions, determine the liquefaction potential of subsurface soils,
determine slope stability requirements, and recommend mitigation measures.
Task 9 -- Availability of Soil. Determine whether there is adequate soil of acceptable quality for
construction of cell bunds and provision of soil cover. If not, identify site(s) of suitable materials for offsite borrow. Off-site borrow areas shall be inspected, their quantities estimated, and their locations
shown in the plans. Ownership of site(s) shall be determined.
Task 10 -- Conceptual Designs and Mitigation Measures. Develop conceptual designs which provide
adequate environmental protection, including proposed mitigative measures (i.e., impermeable lining,
leachate management systems, gas management systems, etc.) and in light of the detailed field
investigations. Based on local consultations to be conducted under a separate scope of work, upgrade the
conceptual designs to address public concerns. Conceptual designs are expected to include the following
investment requirements:

Landfill equipment to spread and grade refuse, and to excavate and transport soil cover.

External paved access roads and internal all-weather unpaved roads.

Weighbridge and gatehouse for control of incoming wastes and productivity monitoring.

Fencing on all sides to prevent illegal entry, theft and sabotage.

Site preparation, including clearing, grubbing and grading.

Perimeter upgradient drainage for diverting runoff.

Preparation of the base for landfill cell development, including impermeable lining with clay or
plastic geomembrane if needed.

Building for supervision, washing, eating, and sanitation activities of the landfill personnel.

Water supply.

Fire protection facilities.
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
On-site treatment of human wastes from landfill personnel.

Utilities for electricity and communications.

Bunds for landfilling, if by the Cell Method.

Leachate collection and treatment systems. Leachate evaporation and/or recirculation systems
if discharge to a sewer or a receiving stream with adequate assimilation capacity is not feasible.

Landfill gas collection and ventilation, with provisions which allow for later addition of flaring
or gas utilization if monitoring results indicate gas emissions are environmentally unacceptable.

Special improvements to existing roads and bridges along the main access routes from
collection service areas or transfer stations to the sanitary landfill to enable use by fully loaded
refuse collection and transfer trucks.
Task 11 -- Preliminary Environmental Audit Report. Prepare a preliminary environmental audit report to
assess the potential environmental consequences of landfill development. Include impacts on traffic, noise,
odor, dust, aesthetics, air quality, surface water and groundwater quality, aquatic and terrestrial life, cultural
and archaeological resources, and socio-economic conditions.
Resettlement issues need to be addressed within the Environmental Impact Report, including a survey to
determine the number of people and households needing to be moved, their crops and facilities for which
they need to be compensated, and any socio-cultural issues with regard to disruption of what may be an
integrated community for residential and work life support.
It shall be the responsibility of local authorities to arrange site access within a timely manner for the study
team for purposes of generating the needed area-specific environmental data and public acceptance
information, as well as the site-specific resettlement data. Additional study costs incurred by delays in the
arrangement of access shall be the responsibility of the client.
Task 12 -- Acquisition and Resettlement Issues. Determine the owner of the site and verify that the area
is available for acquisition for a sanitary landfill. If the site proposed is not adequate to meet the needs
for a minimum period of 10 years, recommend how much additional area would be necessary to provide
for a minimum 10 year life. Describe any resettlement and/or compensations conditions which may be
present at the site for residents or farmers, regardless of whether they have title to the land they are
occupying. Cooperate with other consultants engaged specifically to address resettlement issues.
Task 13 -- Budgetary Costs Estimates. Taking into consideration the information developed above,
develop budgetary costs to enable project appraisal by the [], including a breakdown of foreign exchange
and local costs, and development of a cash flow projection for investment and operation.
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Schedule
The following schedule of activities is required:

Completion of the topographic survey mapping and review of available information -- 2
months from notice to proceed (including receipt of permission for site access).

Completion of borings, testpits, well construction, and soil classification -- 3 months from
notice to proceed (including receipt of permission for site access).

Completion of geophysical survey, water level measurements, water quality analysis, pumps
tests, and groundwater contour mapping -- 4 months from notice to proceed (including
receipt of permission for site access).

Completion of environmental audit report, verification of site acceptability, and development
of conceptual designs and costs -- 6 months from notice to proceed (including receipt of
permission for site access).
Deliverables
The following maps, documents, and reports are required:

Background report on available information.

Topographic survey map, including perimeter coordinates and benchmarks, with at least 1 m
contours, at a scale of at least 1:500.

Testpit and boring logs, including soil classification charts.

Geophysical survey logs, including mapping of anomalies and discontinuities, and
soils/geologic profile with a vertical scale of at least 1:200.

Groundwater contour map, with at least 1.0 m contours.

Conceptual designs and cost estimates, with local/foreign exchange breakdown and cash
flow projection.

Overall report summarizing the field investigations, data analyses, and conclusions.
Team
The team shall include at least one experienced and qualified geologist with a minimum of a bachelor of
science degree in geology and 10 years of related work experience in geologic and hydrogeologic field
investigations; at least one civil-sanitary engineer with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering
and 15 years of related work experience in sanitary landfill design; and at least one terrestrial biologist
with a minimum of a bachelor of science degree in biology and 10 years of related work experience in
field reconnaissance of flora and fauna and related environmental impact assessment studies. Borehole
drilling, well construction, topographic survey, and soil classification shall be subcontracted to qualified
firms which are specialized, equipped and insured for such activities and have a corporate experience of
at least 5 years.
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR GEOLOGIC AND SOIL SITE INVESTIGATIONS
FOR SANITARY LANDFILL
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