A weekly column by Duncan Watson, solid waste coordinator for the city of Keene, N.H.
With tips by Charles R. "Charlie" Beauregard, a longtime Swanzey, N.H. planning board member.
Landfill Closure
KEENE, NH - 6/29/98 -There are two primary reasons why the Keene landfill will close by April, 1999. The first reason is that unlined landfills represent a threat to groundwater supplies when water (either through precipitation or from the ground) enters the landfill picking up any number of chemicals or metals that eventually leech out. The second reason is that the landfill will run out of available space.
The latest round of groundwater sampling at the landfill has shown a consistent pattern of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) present in groundwater monitoring wells at extremely low concentrations. The VOCs consist primarily of benzene and its associated compounds as well as various chlorinated compounds. It's no mystery how these VOCs end up in the water. Think about the things you throw in the trash. Maybe an old paint brush, or rags from when you changed the oil in your car. Perhaps a can of household cleaner with a small amount left, or a broken thermometer. With approximately 2 billion pounds of refuse deposited in the landfill over the past three decades there is bound to be some impact. We have been lucky so far.
After the landfill closes, the City is required to monitor wells within the established groundwater management zone for thirty years. A major component of landfill closure is placing a cap over the refuse to prevent water from entering the landfill. Time will tell if the effort is successful.
During the construction season of 1999 the landfill will be a particularly busy place as trucks and earth moving equipment begin placing approximately four feet of material on top of the refuse. A feature of the cap will be a plastic cover that will be placed over a 20 acre area. By the fall of 1999 all that will be left is a grassy slope with a few pipes sticking out. For almost 20 years after landfill closure we expect a significant quantity of gas to be captured and turned into energy. At least something good will come from all that waste.Prepare for landfill closure by starting to recycle today.
Note: Charlie says "For our valued drop off customers, please help us by placing only brush on the brush pile and compost on the compost pile. If you are unsure what goes where please ask, we are happy to help."
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Swanzey, NH