Closed landfill monitoring

We have 33 closed landfills in Winnipeg. We do routine checks to make sure that the buried waste is not impacting the environment.

Testing

We test surface water and ground water for any contaminants from the closed landfill. We watch for:

  • Leachate - a mixture of water and any liquids released from the buried waste
  • Landfill gas - a mixture of gases created by waste breaking down over time

We also test for landfill gas at buildings near the closed landfills.

Collection systems

If leachate or landfill gas is present, we will install collection systems. These systems prevent the contaminants from entering the environment.

Groundcover

The plant and grass cover you may see on closed landfills also plays a role in our monitoring. Healthy groundcover suggests that leachate and methane gas are not entering the environment. It also prevents soil erosion and the exposure of buried waste.

Closed landfill improvement program

In 2015, the Province of Manitoba mandated that we conduct and publicly post a disposition study for our closed landfill sites. The study aims to be updated every 10 years. The most recent study conducted in 2015 produced the following reports:

•           Environmental Risk Report

Outlines the environmental risks associated with each site.

•           Landfill Rehabilitation and Cost Estimate Report

Describes the specific upgrades needed to bring each site up to the preferred standard for a closed landfill.

•           Landfill Status Report

Provides an overview of the current condition of each site.

•           Potential Land Use Report

Evaluates potential future uses for the sites.

Methane gas policy & construction guidelines for closed landfills

If you’re building near a closed landfill site, you will need to follow these standards and guidelines for construction on landfill sites.

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