Landfill: Understanding the Conceptual Site Model

Bringing clarity to complex environmental risk assessment and management

Effective landfill and contaminated land management relies on understanding complex environmental interactions and risks. A Conceptual Site Model (CSM) is a fundamental tool used to visualise and assess how contamination sources, pathways, and receptors interact over time.

This virtual course provides step-by-step guidance on developing and maintaining a robust CSM, alongside practical insight into the environmental management of landfill sites. You’ll learn how to systematically interpret site data, assess risk, and support informed decision-making across the full lifecycle of a site.

Course Details

Format: Online

Duration: 9.5 hours

Entry requirements: None

 



About this course

Conceptual Site Models are essential for understanding and managing environmental risk in landfill and contaminated land settings. Build the knowledge and practical skills to assess complex systems, improve decision-making, and support safer, more compliant site management.

Understand Conceptual Site Models

Build a strong foundation in CSM principles, including their purpose, structure, and role in environmental assessment and landfill management.

Source–Pathway–Receptor methodology

Learn how to identify and assess the relationships between contamination sources, migration pathways, and environmental receptors.

Risk-based landfill assessment

Explore risk-based approaches to landfill evaluation, including how to prioritise issues and focus on key environmental risks.

Landfill systems and processes

Gain insight into key landfill infrastructure, including containment, gas, leachate, and monitoring.

Data-driven environmental management

Understand how to use historical data, monitoring information, and site evidence to develop and refine a Conceptual Site Model.

Regulatory context and best practice

Explore relevant UK guidance and frameworks and real-world case studies.

Lifecycle and iterative thinking

Develop an understanding of how CSMs evolve over time and support long-term, sustainable site management and risk profiling.

Professional development

Receive a certificate of completion and contribute towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

This course is designed for professionals involved in landfill, contaminated land, and environmental risk management.

It is particularly suitable for:

  • Environmental consultants and practitioners
  • Landfill operators and site managers
  • Engineers and technical specialists working in the waste or environmental sectors
  • Local authority officers involved in environmental monitoring and regulation
  • Professionals responsible for landfill gas, leachate, or site compliance
  • Individuals seeking to strengthen their understanding of contaminated land assessment and risk modelling

Some prior familiarity with environmental or waste management concepts may be beneficial, but the course remains accessible to those developing their expertise in this area.

Course Structure

This course is made up of three virtual instructor-led training sessions.

This session covers:

  • Welcome and introductions
  • Benefits of CSM
  • Landfill and the environment

This session covers:

  • The Method
  • Dynamic Iteration
  • Essential Data


This session covers:

  • CSM Development Process
  • Guidance and Examples
  • Questions and Recap



Upcoming courses

View the timings for virtual sessions below.

  • Session 1 - 22nd September - 09:30-13:30
  • Session 2 - 23rd September - 09:30-16:30


Book your place

Active CIWM members are eligible for a 20% discount on this course. Your discount will be applied automatically at checkout when you are logged in and book using your CIWM member details.

Select your preferred date and time from the options below.

Date Duration Location Price
No time slots are currently available for this course.

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