Contamination and Landfill
Modern industrial or commercial activities have the potential to cause unmitigated or persistent impacts to the natural environment. Typically, the site’s ground conditions may become contaminated over time and may even render the site unsuitable for future development or occupation unless effectively remediated. Trident Environment is able to assist you in the following specialist areas:
- Landfill Management Advisory
- Contaminated Site Advisory
Landfill Management Advisory
Landfill management is a specialist area within environmental consulting and is strictly regulated by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA). Trident can assist with many aspects of landfill planning, management and operation including odour control, leachate treatment and interface with the NSW EPA for compliance with the Environmental Protection Licence (EPL) for the landfill. Trident is also experienced in landfill closure planning and execution including preparation of ongoing management plans, final leachate management, landfill gas collection and ongoing groundwater monitoring required post-closure.
An engineered landfill is a large excavated hole or natural depression where waste is placed, compacted and buried with soil in repeating layers. A modern engineered landfill also has:
- a clay liner at its base that stops the leachate produced by the waste mixing with natural groundwater
- a leachate collection system to move leachate from the bottom of the landfill to the treatment plant on the surface
- a leachate treatment plant and discharge system
- a landfill gas collection system to capture landfill gas emitted by decomposing waste and move it to a venting or burning system
- a gas venting or burning system
- a clay capping layer that seals the top of the landfill
- a stormwater collection and management system above the capping
Landfills are complex environmental systems which require daily management to avoid expensive problems that can occur not only during their operation but also during their long post-closing dormant period. Some particular issues which require important attention are:
- structural control of the landfill in terms of waste compaction and splitting up the waste into ‘cells’ (areas of the landfill for specific wastes or operating periods)
- civil control of the landform, ensuring that roads and embankments are compacted and stable in all kinds of weather
- inspection of waste prior to acceptance to ensure that the landfill is only accepting waste for which it is licensed
- collection, conveyance, treatment and legal discharge of the leachate created by rainwater infiltrating through the waste mass
- collection, conveyance and legal emission of the landfill gas created by decomposing waste
- management of odours generated by decomposing waste
- minimising the attraction of pests to decomposing waste by covering the waste every day
Post-closure considerations usually begin well before the landfill has reached capacity and is ready to close. Various long-term systems such as those for leachate collection and treatment, landfill gas collection and also groundwater monitoring need to be implemented into the final design. After closing, these systems need regular monitoring, maintenance and upkeep for decades to ensure the landfill remains stable and non-polluting.
Contaminated Site Advisory
Contaminated site remediation is another specialist area within environmental consulting and is also strictly regulated by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA). Trident can assist with many aspects of remediation management including management plans, assessments and on-site management. Please enquire below so that we may discuss your particular requirements.
Under the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 (CLM Act – NSW) contamination of land means the presence in, on or under the land of a substance at a concentration above the concentration at which the substance is normally present in, on or under (respectively) land in the same locality, being a presence that presents a risk of harm to human health or any other aspect of the environment.
In simple terms, under the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 (CLM Act – NSW), responsibility for the contamination of land lies with any of the following:
- the person who caused the contamination of the land
- the owner or occupier of the land
- anyone carrying out activities on the land that
- generate the same substances as those found in any existing contamination
- generate substances that may become the same as those are found in any existing contamination
- result in a change in some pre-existing contamination of the land so that it became significant contamination
- result in a change in the approved use of the land and the consequent increase in the risk of harm (causing the EPA to identify the land as significantly contaminated land)
Unless it is established that the contamination was not caused by the person.
Broadly speaking, remediation of land can fall into two categories: Treatment in-situ or removal of contaminated materials and soil for legal disposal as waste. Different remediation strategies depend upon:
- the characteristics of the contaminant(s)
- the surrounding environment
- the proposed use of the land
- any legal obligations that may exist with any of the above
We are Ready to Help You
For more information on how Trident may assist you with this service offering, please send us an online enquiry and we will respond within one business day.