Current Landfill Site Has Estimated Three To Four Years Left

How much longer does the current landfill have until it is full was a question on at least one councillor’s mind.

During the enquiries segment of Council’s regular meeting on Monday afternoon Councillor Jamey Logan asked about the air space survey at the landfill and what it showed about remaining capacity.

“I was wondering about the airspace survey on the current landfill site who does that and would that give us a reasonably accurate end of life cycle date,” Councillor Logan asked.

City engineer Bevan Harlton said since 2023 there has been an airspace assessment every six months at the landfill by a consultant.

“We’re surveying every six months. The work is being done by a consultant…they are the same consultant we’ve been working with the closure plan to get our last permit,” Harlton said.

An airspace survey is conducted to see if the landfill is being filled properly and how close to being full the site is accordance with the operating permit issued by the Province.

It is the Province and not the City that decides how much is capacity for the landfill. The City is issued a permit by the Province to operate the landfill.

“It (the airspace survey) gives us an idea we are three to four years from closure. It will soon be time to look at the tonnages more carefully and better understanding that date but we’re at a three to four year (until the landfill hits capacity,” he said.

The present landfill has seen various estimates of how many years the landfill has left until it reaches capacity and must be closed.

The usual timeframe for closure has been five years.

A 2012 report stated the present landfill had approximately five years until it reached capacity but at the same time said not to “underestimate” the impact recycling could have on the remaining lifespan of the facility.

The same report also recommended expansion of the present landfill and work with industry to facilitate a better facility.

Expanding into land already owned by the City adjacent the present landfill was in 2012 estimated to cost just under $6 million at that time.

The idea was rejected by the City who opted for a new site.