Evaluating Electrocoagulation Techniques for Landfill Leachate Treatment in Urban Storm Water Systems

Abstract: This work examines the efficiency of electrocoagulation (EC) as an eco-friendly and energy-efficient method for treating landfill leachate in the context of urban storm water management. EC was employed using three electrode configurations punched aluminium-steel, plain aluminium-steel, and plain aluminium - aluminium to evaluate their performance in removing key pollutants such as COD, BOD₅, and TSS. The tests were conducted on leachate samples from a landfill in Bangalore, India, by means of a lab-scale electrochemical reactor under constant voltage and varying electrode arrangements. Findings revealed that the punched aluminium - steel combination attained the highest pollutant removal efficiencies (up to 93.3% BOD, 91.8% COD, and 82.9% TSS) while consuming the least energy. The outcomes highlight that optimizing electrode design and spacing significantly enhances EC performance. The study supports integrating electrocoagulation into sustainable urban drainage strategies, emphasizing its role in mitigating leachate contamination and improving water quality in developing cities.