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.
According to the SWMP, the Comox Strathcona waste management 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 initial construction work requires areas of the landfill that have reached final capacity to be graded and capped with an impermeable liner. 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.
For more information and project updates on the solid waste management plan, visit cswm.ca/plan