RM OF TORCH RIVER — The Rural Municipality of Torch River’s landfill permit is running out in July, and with it they are preparing a new landfill plan.
“The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, which it’s now under Water Security Agency, gives out permits to operate under specific time periods and for landfills they will do them for five years,” said David Yorke, the administrator for the RM of Torch River. “So every five years you need to renew your permit and there are changes that come along in the meantime you have to make sure you cover off.”
The current landfill cell they have won’t last another five years. An information meeting was held Nov. 8 at Choiceland’s Elks Memorial Hall to gather feedback from the public with about 70 people in attendance.
“We’re looking at options,” Yorke said. “Our permit runs out in July of 2019 so we’re looking at what options we want to pursue regarding the landfill moving forward regarding whether we end up digging another cell, applying for a permit for another cell and the cost with that or looking at other options and looking at public input and that the public wants to see.”
Information from that meeting was given to council on Nov. 19 for council to consider, and then they will be working over the winter to draft up a plan.
“The biggest concern that people have, of course, is cost. What is it going to cost the ratepayers in the end. They want to have whatever is going to be the most cost-effective way for them and but as well meeting the requirements of the Water Security Agency.”
An example of requirements in place is having liners that are impermeable to any contaminants moving out from the trash. Another example is groundwater monitoring to ensure contaminants aren’t escaping
Yorke advises ratepayers can help out with the landfill themselves, extending its life, by recycling more.
“Everything that goes into recycling means it’s not something going into our landfill, it means it doesn’t fill up as quickly, if we can get more years out of it. They’re talking if it’s going the way it is right now you’re looking at maybe five years to fill up a cell when you could extend that to seven years, potentially, or longer by doing more recycling.”
Yorke thanked the community for their input at the meeting.
“The RM welcomes the input from the community and we will be working at a corrective action plan over the winter.”
