Work will begin later this month on the phase 1 closure of the landfill at the Comox Valley waste management centre as adopted in the 2013 solid waste management plan (SWMP).
According to the SWMP, the Comox Strathcona waste management (CSWM) service is required to begin closing the existing Comox Valley landfill in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent environmental impacts. The closure of the landfill supports environmental compliance regulations that address landfill leachate and landfill gas management. The existing landfill will be replaced with a new engineered landfill slated for construction in 2017.
The landfill closure project is a large, complex capital project with an aggressive spring–fall 2015 construction schedule. The initial construction work requires areas of the landfill that have reached final capacity to be graded and capped with an impermeable liner. The liner controls water from entering into the landfill, which in turn protects the quality of the groundwater. In addition, a landfill gas collection system will be installed to significantly reduce the release of greenhouse gas emissions and to also decrease odours from decomposing waste.
On the access road leading to the Comox Valley waste management centre, visitors will also notice the cutting of trees, allowing for the excavation and construction of a large storm water infiltration pond. The purpose of the pond is to collect and temporarily store storm water and surface water draining from the closed landfill slopes and other areas of the site.
The SWMP that received approval from the Ministry of Environment in May 2013 includes a long-range vision for residual waste management for the CSWM service based on two regional lands (one in the Comox Valley and the other in Campbell River).
For more information and project updates on the solid waste management plan including staff reports and presentations, visit www.cswm.ca/plan .
The Comox Strathcona waste management (CSWM) service is a function of the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) and is responsible for two regional waste management centres that serve the Comox Valley and Campbell River, as well as a range of transfer stations and smaller waste-handling and recycling facilities for the electoral areas of the CVRD and the Strathcona Regional District. The CSWM service manages over 100,000 tonnes of waste and recycled material and oversees a number of diversion and education programs.
(COMOX VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT)
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CVRD spokesperson Koreen Gurak on reasoning behind this:
Gurak on water restrictions:
