Landfill Gas Monitoring Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF]

Landfill gas (LFG) monitoring is mandated under EPA 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart WWW and the Clean Air Act to control methane and non-methane organic compound (NMOC) emissions from municipal solid waste landfills. Operators must conduct regular surface emission monitoring, wellfield pressure checks, and combustion device inspections to remain compliant with federal and applicable state solid waste regulations. Failure to maintain adequate LFG controls can result in significant fines, permit revocation

  • Industry: Landfill Operations
  • Frequency: Monthly
  • Estimated Time: 45-90 minutes
  • Role: Landfill Operator
  • Total Items: 36
  • Compliance: EPA 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart WWW - MSW Landfill Emission Guidelines, EPA 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart AAAA - National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, EPA Clean Air Act Section 111 - New Source Performance Standards, EPA RCRA 40 CFR Part 258 - Criteria for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 - Permit-Required Confined Spaces

Surface Emission Monitoring

Assess methane surface emissions across the landfill cover to identify hotspots exceeding regulatory thresholds.

  • Has a surface emissions scan been completed using an approved flame ionization detector (FID) or equivalent instrument?
  • Did all monitored surface areas record methane concentrations below 500 ppmv above background?
  • Were all exceedance locations marked, photographed, and logged in the facility's deviation record?
  • Has corrective action been initiated for any previously identified emission exceedance points?
  • Notes on surface emission observations or anomalies?

Wellfield Pressure and Flow Monitoring

Verify that gas collection wells are operating within design pressure and flow parameters to maximize capture efficiency.

  • Has static wellhead pressure been measured and recorded for all active extraction wells?
  • Are all active extraction wells maintaining negative gauge pressure at the wellhead?
  • Measured methane concentration at the wellhead (%):
  • Are all well valves, laterals, and header pipes free from visible damage, corrosion, or blockage?
  • Have any wells been taken offline since the last inspection and documented accordingly?
  • Photo of wellfield header or representative wellhead gauge reading?

Combustion Device (Flare / Engine) Inspection

Inspect the LFG combustion or energy recovery device for continuous operation, temperature compliance, and visible emissions.

  • Is the primary LFG combustion device (flare or engine-generator) currently operational?
  • Combustion device operating temperature (°F):
  • Is there an absence of visible smoke or black emissions from the combustion device?
  • Are all combustion device controls, thermocouples, and automated safety shutoffs functioning correctly?
  • Has the combustion device experienced any unplanned shutdowns since the last inspection?

Condensate and Leachate Management

Evaluate condensate knockout and collection systems to ensure proper liquid management and prevent system blockage.

  • Are condensate knockout pots or drip legs inspected and drained as scheduled?
  • Is condensate being properly collected, stored, and disposed of in accordance with the facility's RCRA permit?
  • Are condensate storage tanks clearly labeled and free from visible leaks or overflows?
  • Volume of condensate removed this period (gallons):
  • Photo of condensate storage area and secondary containment?

Subsurface Gas Migration Monitoring

Check perimeter and on-site probes for methane migration beyond the landfill boundary to protect public safety.

  • Have all perimeter gas migration monitoring probes been tested this period?
  • Did all perimeter probes record methane levels below the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) of 25%?
  • Are there any on-site structures (offices, maintenance buildings) showing detectable methane concentrations above action levels?
  • Are probe locations properly marked, accessible, and in good physical condition?
  • Are monitoring probe readings logged in the facility's gas migration monitoring record?

Recordkeeping and Regulatory Reporting

Confirm all required LFG monitoring records are current, complete, and ready for regulatory submission.

  • Are all monthly wellhead monitoring records current and retained on-site for the required 5-year period?
  • Has the most recent semi-annual compliance report been submitted to the applicable regulatory agency on time?
  • Is the site's NMOC emission rate calculation current and documented for the current reporting year?
  • Are all operational deviations from the prior period documented with root cause and corrective actions?
  • Additional recordkeeping observations or follow-up actions required?

Safety and PPE Verification

Verify that all personnel involved in LFG monitoring activities have appropriate training, PPE, and safety equipment.

  • Are all LFG monitoring personnel current on OSHA HAZWOPER training (40-hour or applicable refresher)?
  • Are calibrated combustible gas indicators (CGI) and multi-gas monitors available and pre-use calibration documented?
  • Are appropriate PPE items (flame-resistant clothing, gloves, safety glasses) available and in serviceable condition?
  • Is emergency contact information and spill response plan posted at the gas collection control building?
  • Are fire extinguishers within the gas collection area inspected, charged, and within their annual service date?

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Why Use This Landfill Gas Monitoring Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This landfill gas monitoring inspection checklist [free pdf] helps landfill operations teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for landfill operator professionals, this checklist covers 36 critical inspection points across 7 sections. Recommended frequency: monthly.

Ensures compliance with EPA 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart WWW - MSW Landfill Emission Guidelines, EPA 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart AAAA - National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, EPA Clean Air Act Section 111 - New Source Performance Standards, EPA RCRA 40 CFR Part 258 - Criteria for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 - Permit-Required Confined Spaces. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Landfill Gas Monitoring Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF] cover?

This checklist covers 36 inspection items across 7 sections: Surface Emission Monitoring, Wellfield Pressure and Flow Monitoring, Combustion Device (Flare / Engine) Inspection, Condensate and Leachate Management, Subsurface Gas Migration Monitoring, Recordkeeping and Regulatory Reporting, Safety and PPE Verification. It is designed for landfill operations operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed monthly. Each completion takes approximately 45-90 minutes.

Who should use this Landfill Gas Monitoring Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This checklist is designed for Landfill Operator professionals in the landfill operations industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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