Tip management in focus
WASTE disposal at the Lukhanji landfill site had to be monitored by means of a landfill site audit conducted by a committee set up in consultation with the then Water Affairs and Forestry Department (DWAF) according to a feasibility study conducted in 2002 by a consulting company.
The Rep reported (“Trouble at the tip,” June 12) that concerns were mounting over the management of the Queenstown landfill site with smoke from fires resulting in air pollution.
Lukhanji mayor Nozi Makanda recently announced that the tip would be moved to another, as yet unidentified, site.
A feasibility study conducted by Jeffares & Green (Pty) Ltd Consulting Engineers 13 years ago concluded that the impacts associated with the proposed new regional landfill site were limited and fell within an acceptable level provided that the design, management and monitoring measures described in the report were fully implemented.
The study said audits would occur at 12 month intervals but if problems were encountered, the frequency may be increased. Aspects of the landfill would include consideration of site security, site access and condition of roads. Other aspects would include drainage, litter control and aesthetics as and additional site-specific permit conditions. The study said records should be maintained of incoming waste and remaining volumetric capacity of the landfill site.
“At least three monitoring boreholes will be established downslope of the site. These will be located a minimum of 100m from the waste body boundary.”
Water would have to be sampled on a regular basis, according to the permit conditions and analysed for potential contaminants.
Rehabilitated areas would have to be monitored for depressions, cracks and erosion gullies among others.
“In terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the employer is responsible for the health and safety of people under his or her jurisdiction.”
Questions on the management of the site were sent to Lukhanji communications manager Fundile Feketshane and Makanda but they had not responded at the time of going to print.