Walker Industries Holdings Limited
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Landfill Expansion
 

 
Niagara Waste Systems Limited Landfill is developed on the base of a mined out dolostone quarry near the brow of the Niagara Escarpment. The dolostone mined in this area is part of the Lockport formation and is the horizontally bedded caprock of the Escarpment. The former quarry creates a natural sink or drawdown in the groundwater system of the surrounding dolostone such that groundwater flows towards the landfill site.
Shown below is a cross section schematic of Niagara Waste sanitary landfill site. The site is engineered to prevent environmental degradation through a series of engineering controls. The design is based on the isolation of solid waste from local groundwater by containment and collection of leachate. This is achieved by development of 1.5 meter compacted clay liner and leachate collection system. The clay liner acts as a barrier between the underlying water table and the waste deposited above. Above the clay liner is a leachate collection system. This system collects leachate that makes its way to the clay liner and directs it to an onsite lagoon for treatment. This system is used to reduce leachate levels in the landfill .

An added feature of Niagara Waste Systems Limited landfill is the use of a man made groundwater trench under the site. This trench acts as a secondary line of defense. It collects all the groundwater under the landfill causing groundwater to move towards the site rather than away from the site. The water in this trench could be collected and treated should it become necessary. As part of the sites rigorous environmental monitoring program this groundwater trench is monitored frequently for any sign of leachate contamination.
Niagara Waste Systems Limited has a comprehensive network of groundwater monitors consisting of over 150 on and off site groundwater monitoring wells. Extensive sampling and measurements are taken and compared to Ministry of the Environment standards and site specific historical data. This monitoring program enables Niagara Waste Systems Limited to monitor the environmental performance of the landfill site and ensure environmental protection. Niagara Waste Systems Limited is also well supported by an effective group of professional third party consultant firms including Gartner Lee Ltd., Jagger Hims Ltd., and FCE Services.
In addition to conducting extensive groundwater monitoring Niagara Waste Systems Limited performs routine surface water monitoring at various on and off site locations. This program monitors the quality of water leaving the site to verify the effectiveness of our environmental management system in protecting the surrounding community.

As part of our commitment to the environment Niagara Waste Systems Limited has installed a gas collection and utilization system. The system not only provides energy to Abitibi-Consolidated (a local paper manufacturer) but effectively controls odours and greenhouse gases. This system was designed and is currently managed by Integrated Gas Recovery Systems, an alliance between Integrated Municipal Services and Comcor Environmental.

In addition to the collection and utilization system Niagara Waste Systems Limited conducts an air monitoring program which is designed to monitor the effectiveness of gas collection.

Niagara Waste Systems Limited has made this report available through this web page. Please click on the link below to download a PDF. version of the report.

 
NPRI Report - NWSL- 2002
 
Reg 127- NWSL- 2002
 
 
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