Decomposition of solid waste, along with rain and groundwater percolation through the landfill produces leachate. While landfilling operations typically include facilities designed to collect and contain leachate on-site, migration of leachate has the potential to degrade groundwater and surface water quality. Site operations also have the potential to adversely affect surface water and groundwater quality. The groundwater and surface water monitoring program addresses these areas to ensure that water quality is not adversely affected by landfilling operations.
Monitoring of groundwater and surface water monitoring stations on Hartland landfill property and specific off-site locations has been on-going since 1983. The information collected is used to look at the effect of landfill processes on groundwater and surface water resources. The water quality data collected is compared to appropriate drinking water or freshwater aquatic life criteria and background levels for the area.
Leachate, the liquid formed by the percolation of rainwater through the refuse has been monitored since the mid-1980’s. Since 1990, the leachate has been captured and contained on-site within two leachate lagoons before it is discharged by pipeline to the sanitary sewer. Leachate quality is compared to the CRD Sewer Use Bylaw 2922 to assess compliance for discharge to the sanitary sewer.
Technical reports are prepared annually to present the findings of the monitoring program and to make recommendations based on those results. The reports contain all of the monitoring data collected within the reporting period, explanatory text and maps and figures presenting the data.