Landfills (dumps) contain many substances which are liquid or liquefy and drain to the bottom of the pit. This liquid/sludge contains many toxic contaminants. Plastic liners (HDPE) are placed at the bottom during the construction phase to contain this toxic soup. The problem is that all liners leak either sooner or later, due to mechanical damage and/or material or seal (joint) failure. This toxic sludge then seeps into the soil and contaminates the groundwater. Groundwater is connected to surrounding area domestic wells, streams, and lakes, and is carried far and wide. Contaminated waste such as that proposed for the new County of Leduc site adjacent to the City of Leduc, Telford and Saunders Lakes, plus surrounding farms and residences, will contain highly toxic substances.
Tests by the National Research Council of Canada on an existing liner (HDPE geo-membrane) showed, after 14 years of use, a large number (528) cracks, holes, and patches per hectare, and estimated the liner had failed between 0 and 4 years after installation. The liquids from the dump had migrated into the surrounding earth formation almost immediately.
Claims made by proponents of the liners and dump advocates maintain that these supposed liner safeguards prevent the occurrence of contamination. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
See:
Canadian Geotechnical Journal 4: P536-550 (2003) doi: 10.1139/T03-019
Corresponding Author (e-mail: Kerry@civil.queen.ca)
JAH
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