Week ending November 4, 2005
Up 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.
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