Environment

Leachate Collection System

Leachate is removed from each cell regularly via a pump station. Here tanker trucks are loaded with leachate, and then it is taken to the Lancaster Sewage Lagoon for treatment.

In the event of extreme weather where a high level of rainwater would be entering the cells, leachate is directed to the surge pond for temporary storage and emptied after the storm.

Well Monitoring

There is a monitoring network of 59 wells in total to ensure that the leachate system performs as designed. The samples are collected by an independent contractor. Results are sent to Fundy Region Solid Waste and the Department of the Environment and Local Government.

There are 26 groundwater monitoring well nests. A nest is a cluster of two to three wells in one spot. Often each testing well varies by depth to test surface water and various level of groundwater. The majority of these testing sites are located downhill from the landfill and between the landfill and local communities.

Several under drain locations are also tested. Under drain refers to testing pipes under each cell.

Six surface water sampling sites are located in streams around the landfill.

Testing Schedule and Parameters for Well Monitoring

Samples also are collected from 50 to 60 domestic wells from South Bay to Martinon each fall. The results are confidential, and the lab submits a report directly to the Department of Public Health and Wellness and to the resident. The results include a signed copy of the analysis results and summary of each well, highlighting any concerns or potential problems found in the analysis. These wells are tested for General Chemistry which includes the following:

Greenhouse Gas Reductions

We are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and have some of the most aggressive programs in place to reduce greenhouse gases of any landfill site. In Canada, landfills are one of the largest producers of methane gas, a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

We have two ways of reducing our methane gas production. The first is through our compost program where methane production is avoided; the second is our landfill gas to energy process.

Composting organic waste is the most effective way to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, by avoiding methane production. In the landfill, material breaks down anaerobically (without oxygen) and methane gas is produced.  However during composting the material decomposes in the presence of oxygen and methane is not produced.  

The Landfill Gas Utilization process is our second defense against greenhouse gas production. The landfill gas which is comprised of 50% methane is captured and is used as a fuel in our gas generator.