By Marcus Uhe
The EPA issued SBI Inert Landfill with a further two improvement notices on Wednesday 21 September, requiring the creation of a Stormwater Management Plan and a Leachate Management Plan.
Stagnant water mixing with hydrogen sulphite on site was the original source of the rotten-eggs style odour that has been plaguing residents of Cranbourne and Botanic Ridge.
The water was taken offsite during July, with the process concluding on Thursday 21 July.
Suction trucks were also used to remove excess storm water from the landfill site, SBI said.
The first notice requires SBI to fulfil their General Environmental Duty in relation to their management of surface water.
SBI must install and implement contaminated water controls that ensure no contaminated water is discharged beyond the premises boundary, including water contaminated with waste or sediment, by 19 October.
A Stormwater Management Plan must be provided by SBI to the EPA by 4 January, having engaged a “suitably qualified person” to prepare the plan by 23 November.
The second notice will require SBI to provide a Leachate Management Plan to the EPA and engage a suitably qualified person to conduct leachate sampling by 11 November, after engaging a suitably qualified person to prepare the plan by 21 October.
Sampling results must be provided to the EPA by 30 November.
Simon Williamson, SBI’s director, said they are continuing to liaise closely with the EPA and are complying with all directions given, including those in the current outstanding improvement notices.
“SBI have been continuing to work to calibrate the newly installed landfill gas extraction system, which is now operating to eliminate odourous gas from the landfill before it enters the atmosphere,” Mr Williamson said.
“Further works on adjusting the system to maximise its performance will continue over the coming weeks.
“We thank for the community for their patience while we work to address this issue.”
Leachate is contaminated liquid generated by water passing through a landfill or waste disposal site, and accumulating contaminates in the process.
