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Johnson County, Kansas Environmental Department Protecting You and Your Environment |
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November Update on Recent Activities at APAC-Reno
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Week ending November 4, 2005Up until this week, the hydrogen sulfide odors from the landfill had been greatly reduced. We have had County staff checking every weekday morning around 7 am since September 21 and our perimeter hydrogen sulfide monitors have indicated only occasional trace amounts. Reno had eliminated the hydrogen sulfide generation from their two ponds through a combination of chemical treatment and aeration. They also temporarily blocked off the flow of leachate (water from within the landfill) into the east pond by covering the area with clay and shale. Staff responded to calls about odors on Tuesday of this week and found both ponds to still be in good shape with no odors. However, the area covered to hold back the leachate was found to be saturated with leachate and emitting hydrogen sulfide once again into the atmosphere. Reno added more cover to this area to try to block the odor emissions on Tuesday. They then proceeded to dig a trench into the fill to start draining the leachate into a sump area so it could be treated to neutralize the hydrogen sulfide. Unfortunately, when Reno dug the trench, a very strong stench of hydrogen sulfide was released that was noticeable to the north and east of the landfill. On Wednesday, the landfill stopped the flow into the sump until they could set up the chemical treatment. Overnight, the pipe failed and released smelly water again, resulting in more stink into the air. County staff were on-site again Thursday morning with Reno staff. The failed pipe was repaired and chemical treatment initiated. Reno is working closely with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on plans for the short term as well as the long-term treatment of gas and leachate at the landfill. They recently completed a hydrological and gas evaluation of the landfill. In addition to the leachate odor area, for the last month or so, the landfill has been moving their mulch piles to the south side of the property and this has generated some odors, particularly this week. This activity has now been concluded. They also have identified some areas that needed more cover after the mulch was moved, and they covered these areas with shale and clay. We hope the actions taken by Reno will reduce the odors once again. These actions this week are only for the short term and Reno is still under orders from KDHE to put long term solutions in place. Also, as a precaution, KDHE and the County have requested that the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), an arm of the Centers for Disease Control, determine whether additional health assessment is warranted for people living or working near the landfill. Week ending November 14, 2005APAC/Reno continues to treat the lower (east) pond with sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide to control the hydrogen sulfide production. APAC/Reno has ordered materials to construct the landfill gas wells and gas collection system. The purpose of this system will be to trap the gases and incinerate them, so they no longer are emitted into the atmosphere. Based on the results of the preliminary hydrogeologic study mentioned in the previous update, it was decided a more extensive hydrogeological study was needed. APAC/Reno has submitted a revised work plan for the study. Well drilling may start November 28. When wells are drilled, there may be transient hydrogen sulfide odors, but the wells will be capped to limit odor release during the project. APAC/Reno continues to add intermediate cover on the south area of the landfill to comply with KDHE’s regulations. The County continues with hydrogen sulfide measurements on the north and east side of the landfill on a continuous reading meter. The meters show next to no detectable levels of hydrogen sulfide. The Department also continues with daily checks in the mornings by "sniffing the air" and has periodically detected hydrogen sulfide odors, but not at levels measureable with our electronic detection equipment. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) agreed to do
additional monitoring in some neighborhood locations near the landfill. Due to
other demands on ATSDR’s resources, this monitoring may not begin for a few months. |
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