The landfill is where waste is given definite, final disposal in an absolutely controlled way. It is designed so that any seepage or liquid leaching to the bottom can be collected, drained and monitored both while the landfill is being filled and once it has been sealed.

The landfill features double waterproofing and features a system to drain the bottom and the sidewalls. The system detects, collects and evacuates leached liquids which stem either from rainwater during the time waste is being placed in the landfill, or even from the membranes tearing, once it has been sealed.

The double waterproofing mentioned above consists of high density polyethylene membranes which are in fact the physical barrier containing the waste. The double liners of membranes lies on a bed of compact natural clay. The whole landfill is waterproof, meeting and even exceeding conditions established by law.

The entire design, operation and sealing of the landfill carries the sole purpose of minimizing the impact on the environment, and abides by the tenets of national and provincial laws as well as recommendations set forth by the United States of America Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).

Should leaching occur, the liquids are collected by means of the drainage system of the landfill. The collected leachate is analyzed and, if necessary, treated to ensure that it meets the purity standards established by law, before it returns to the environment.

Water from leaching is collected and drained by two independent systems discharging into two separate inspection wells each featuring a pump. One system collects and drains water from inside the landfill while the other detects, collects and drains any liquid that might have got through the first membrane, the one in contact with the waste.

Water from leaching collected in the wells is pumped back into a pool where it is sampled and, analyzed to make sure it meets the level of purity established by law before returning to the environment. Should an unacceptable level of contaminants be found in this liquid, it is sent for treatment either to Stabilization Area or to Waste Water Treatment Plant.

In addition to being able to handle leaching, the landfill features another system which collects and drains surface rainfall on the closed cells. This water flows along canals and drains into the surrounding land, well within the premises of the plant.

Before reaching the landfill, waste is rigorously checked and inspected to determine mainly the following points.

• Free liquid content
• Leachability
• Fluidity at environment temperature
• Solubility in water
• Point of inflammation
• Likelihood of becoming wind-borne
• Existence of organic/inorganic halogenated compounds

The concept, design and construction of the landfill guarantee an environmentally safe solution to the problem of disposing of industrial waste, both during the stage it is being filled as well as after it has been sealed.