Imperial Landfill Addressing Odor Complaints

FINDLAY TOWNSHIP, Pa., March 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The staff and management at Imperial Landfill in Findlay Township today stressed that they continue to work with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and The Alleghany County Health Department to respond to odor complaints.

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Over the last year, Imperial Landfill has made significant investments of time and infrastructure to deal with odor issues. During that time, the company has spent more than $1 million.

"Our priorities are always human health and safety and environmental protection," said Brent Bowker, general manager for the landfill. "Based on air sampling over the last year or more, there are no known threats, but we continue to address odor issues."

Bowker explained that while odors have been detected off site, the company has continued to improve odor management efforts at the landfill. He said that off-site odors and subsequent complaints have been substantially reduced. He and some colleagues outlined measures and planned actions at a March 3 meeting of the Imperial Landfill Citizen's Advisory Committee.

2009 actions include:

• Establishment of the Imperial Landfill Citizen's Advisory Committee (April 2009).
• Contracted with the American Environmental Group, Ltd. in March 2009 to take over the responsibility of monitoring and balancing the landfill gas extraction system.
• Installed 33 landfill gas extraction wells within the active area of the landfill. Installed additional piping, pumps and fittings for gas extraction.
• Installed 18 new dedicated submersible pumps within those gas wells to keep liquid out and allow the wells to collect and extract sufficient landfill gas. Currently, 50 extraction wells within the active part of the landfill contain submersible pumps.
• Installed a HDPE plastic geomembrane cap over 12 acres of sideslope. This aids the landfill gas system in gas collection.
• Installed a backup generator so that during power outages or spikes, the landfill gas system is able to operate independent of electrical utility service.
• Purchased and installed odor misting equipment for use when conditions warrant - a stationary system installed around the landfill working face and two mobile misting units that can be deployed where needed to minimize off-site odors.
• Enhanced the winterization of various landfill gas components to increase their operational capacity during freezing temperatures.
• Enclosed both the leachate and landfill gas condensate sump riser vaults to minimize odors.

Plans are underway to further expand Imperial's active landfill gas system in 2010 including more extraction wells and conveyance piping. Additional related work includes the installation of more geomembrane and increased site odor scans. Construction will be scheduled as weather conditions permit the safe travel of equipment and personnel along landfill sideslopes.

"We have done significant work to address odors," said Bowker. "We continue to work to ensure that our facility is operated safely and to continue to be a good neighbor in our community."

Landfill officials today signed an agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) agreeing to pay $650,000 in fines for violations cited by the PADEP from December 2005 to November 2009.

"This is a significant fine that closes the books on DEP's alleged violations over a 4-5 year period and allows us to give our attention to current operations and conditions," said Bowker. "We are committed to continuing to address landfill management issues with the state, the county and the community."

SOURCE Imperial Landfill