Garbage Dumps, Leachate and Smell
Garbage Dumps, Leachate and Smell
(OP)
I am in a ski club who's favourite resort is located next to a big garbage dump. The local county has determined that leachate is contaminating the nearby wather, and they are now sorting the garbage, so that they can leave only "true" garbage in the dump. The air around the resort now smells like sewage. This is planned to take several years, by which time the resort will be in serious trouble. We are preparing a letter/petition to the county in support of the resort.
I would like to be helpful here, rather than just strident. Is there a website and/or some literature that somebody can recommend on garbage dumps, leachate and smell?
Thank you all very much.
JHG
I would like to be helpful here, rather than just strident. Is there a website and/or some literature that somebody can recommend on garbage dumps, leachate and smell?
Thank you all very much.
JHG





RE: Garbage Dumps, Leachate and Smell
RE: Garbage Dumps, Leachate and Smell
RE: Garbage Dumps, Leachate and Smell
Landfills have a specified lifespan (the fill 'em up period), but after closure, for the next 50 to 100 years post closure, the real problem with leachate begins. The coffee you drink is actually a leachate, because water flows through the coffee granules just like in a landfill, only more slowly. Many authorities in the past did not regulate landfills like they do today, and hance, many were not lined properly and even fewer had leachate collection systems. Installation after the fact is very costly, and in somecses, questionable as to effectiveness relative to costs. If leachaate is indeed migrating and contaminating groundwater, I'm surprised that the environmental agencies haven't gone nuts. With reference to smell and debris, daily or weekly placement of cover material will reduce, but not eliminate. If the landfill was in the area first, and the County is the proud owner, then they may not be too willing to undertake too many expenses to modify the landfill, particularly if they re-zoned the adjacent lands to accomodate the resort development. The groundwater concerns me though, particularly if there are domestic wells utilizing the aquifer in the vicinity.
KRS Services
www.krs-services.com
RE: Garbage Dumps, Leachate and Smell
The county is concerned about the problem. Their solution is to sort out the more obnoxious garbage and dispose of it elsewhere. There were problems with local wells, which they have fixed somehow.
The county's timeframe is rather long. They are talking about taking until 2007 to do all this. I am sure they are looking at their costs, but otherwise, it appears that they are bing responsible.
My question is, is there a low cost way to control the smell while they do all this?
JHG
RE: Garbage Dumps, Leachate and Smell
KRS Services
www.krs-services.com
RE: Garbage Dumps, Leachate and Smell
Frankly, unless they are throwing huge amounts of money at this problem, my experience proposes caution in the 5 year total solution, because it may be a bit optimistic. Maybe 5 years to develop a sound plan and have it approved by the regulatory authorities and adjacent landowner groups, such as your ski hill. I dunno, but I think more information is required.
KRS Services
www.krs-services.com
RE: Garbage Dumps, Leachate and Smell
Alternatively, does the County have access to large quantities of waste derived compost? - the odour will reportedly be removed as a biological filter builds up, but only if the compost remains damp and sufficently warm.