Landfill Re-engineering Project
What is the Project and why is it being done?
To help protect the environment and preserve groundwater quality, the Barrie Landfill is being re-engineered. This re-engineering consists of 3 phases, during which approximately 60% of the existing landfill will be reclaimed and lined. Reclamation involves digging out the waste, screening it to separate fine material (cover sand) from the larger waste materials and recompacting the waste in newly reconstructed lined cells.
These reconstructed cells are lined with plastic and clay liners placed below the waste that will prevent contaminated water, or leachate, from entering into the groundwater from below the landfill. In total, 1,620,000 m³ of waste will go through this process. This is approximately 49 times the volume of the Barrie Molson Centre (BMC) Arena.
The Landfill Re-engineering Project will add up to 7 years to the life of our landfill and will protect groundwater for future generations.
Where are we now?
The Landfill Re-engineering Project is moving ahead successfully and is on schedule. The City of Barrie is listening to the concerns of neighbours and addressing these concerns to minimize impacts on the community during the project.
Phase 1 of the Project was completed in 2009. Cell 2A was lined and is now being filled with reclaimed waste and new waste from curbside pick-up. Phase 2 began in early 2010, and by October, over 280,000 m³ (8.5 times the volume of BMC Arena) of material had been excavated from the landfill and compacted in the new cell.
We are currently still in Phase 2 of the Landfill Re-engineering Project. In November, a new liner was installed at the bottom of Cell 3B. Waste excavation and screening will continue through the winter. This winter, more odourous waste will be directly hauled (not screened) and immediately placed in a lined cell in order to minimize the potential for generation of odours.
What’s next?
Phase 2 of the Project is scheduled to be completed by 2012. At the end of this phase, 680,000 m³ (20.6 times the volume of BMC Arena) of waste will have been removed from the landfill, screened, recompacted, and placed in lined cells. The Landfill Re-engineering Project will be completed by 2015. The result will be a modern, more environmentally friendly landfill for the residents of Barrie.
We’ve heard what you think
The City of Barrie held two open houses in 2010 to update you on the progress of the Project and hear your concerns. Your main concerns were about odour from the project, air quality and health effects. Many of you expressed support for the purpose of the project, which is environmental protection. Your input is important to us, and we will continue to do everything we can to minimize impacts on the community during the Landfill Re-engineering Project.
Now here’s what we are doing:
Air Quality and Health Assessment
An Air Quality study was completed to determine what compounds are potentially released from the landfill. Following the Air Quality study, a Health Study was carried out to assess if these compounds can harm people’s health. The Air Quality study collected and analyzed air samples from the landfill site and neighbouring area, and the Health Study confirmed that the gases from the landfill do not pose a health concern to the public. The main causes of the odour from this site are sulphur compounds formed in the waste. A new Landfill Gas Collection System is planned to commence in spring 2011 will help to capture gases from the completed cells.
Odour Monitoring
During the Landfill Re-engineering Project activities, areas neighbouring the landfill are routinely monitored for odour by City of Barrie employees. We encourage you to call City of Barrie staff at 705-739-4220 ext. 4516 if you have any concerns about odours resulting from the project.
Odour Control
When significant odours are detected, work at the landfill is immediately adjusted or stopped. We work within small areas of exposed waste to minimize odours. If needed, Odour Suppressant Foam and Odour Suppressant Misters are used to control odours during the work. Odour control mechanisms have also been investigated to determine their health effects, and are considered safe for use at the landfill.
Who do I contact with my questions and concerns?
The City of Barrie encourages any questions or comments you have about the Landfill Re-engineering Project. If you would like to arrange a tour of the landfill site, or a one-on-one meeting with landfill staff please contact Sandy Coulter at (705) 739-4220 ext. 5826, or by email at scoulter@barrie.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
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| Has air quality been studied to see if there are any impacts related to the odours from the landfill? |
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An Air Quality study was completed in November 2010 to assess the impact of the landfill on air quality in the neighbouring community. Air samples were collected from the landfill operations area and the surrounding areas to determine what compounds are potentially released. The compounds in the air samples were tested at a private laboratory for a Health Assessment study.
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| What were the results of the Air Quality Analysis? |
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The Air Quality study indicated that the air quality downwind of the site was similar to that upwind of the site. The level of compounds typically associated with landfill odour, for example sulphur and ammonia, were low in the air samples collected downwind of the landfill. Higher levels of these compounds were found within the wastes, but were reduced by the time they reached the site boundary. Odours can be detected by the human nose at levels much lower than can be detected by a laboratory.
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| Are there any health effects to the community related to the air quality from the landfill? |
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A Health Assessment study was completed to evaluate the exposure of nearby residents to compounds that could potentially be released into the air from the Landfill Re-engineering Project. The compounds found in samples during the Air Quality study were evaluated in the Health Assessment study to determine if they were a human health concern. The amounts of each compound found in the samples were compared to Provincial and Federal air quality guidelines and health protection standards. The study found that the landfill does not pose a human health concern.
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| What is causing the odours? |
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The Air Quality study results showed that low levels of sulphur compounds in the waste were the most likely cause of the odours sometimes experienced by residents during the active waste reclamation activities.
Some of the odours at the landfill are caused by the release of gases within the waste when it is dug up and compacted as part of the Landfill Re-engineering Project. Odour can also be released as a result of composting activities and from landfill gas generated in the newer cells. Occasional odours are also caused by off-site farm activities north of the landfill.
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| What is being done to control odours from the landfill? |
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City of Barrie staff routinely monitor residential areas neighbouring the landfill for odours. Residents can also help by reporting odours directly to City staff by calling 705-739-4220 ext. 4516. When significant odours are detected, work at the landfill is changed or stopped. We work within small areas of exposed waste to minimize the release of odour. There are also products that are occasionally used to control odour events at the landfill, including Odour Suppressant Misters and Odour Suppressant Foam. These odour control products are safe for use on the landfill.
A new Landfill Gas Collection System, planned to begin in spring 2011, will help capture some of the gases generated within the completed cells.
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| If I smell an odour from the landfill, is the air safe to breathe? |
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The air is safe to breathe. It is important to remember that not all bad smells are bad for your health. The City of Barrie will continue to sample air within the landfill work area. These air samples are monitored and compared to specific criteria, which provide acceptable limits to protect worker health. If the amount of compounds in the air approaches these criteria, the work at the landfill will be stopped and assessed before starting again.
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| How will complaints be addressed and will my voice be heard? |
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The City of Barrie wants to keep you informed of progress with the Landfill Re-engineering Project, and hear any issues you may have with the project. Two open houses have already been held in 2010, and a third open house is being planned for 2011. Until then, the City of Barrie welcomes any questions or comments you may have. If you would like to arrange a tour of the landfill site, or a one-on-one meeting please contact Sandy Coulter at (705) 739-4220 ext. 5826, or by email at scoulter@barrie.ca.
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