7.2 SCOPE AND ACTIONS

In order to avoid consequent release of potentially highly polluting leachate, land-fills will have to be operated with the full knowledge of the scientific and technical information, and the civil engineering works that underpins
the controlled dumping and land-fill disposal of hazardous wastes. Consequently it is necessary to consider the aspects outlined below.

7.2.1 Licensing Process

Establish a licensing procedure for producers and dealers and for sites used. Under this, the site should posses a valid planning permission which in turn should be based on criteria for the prevention of danger to health, and the
pollution of soil and water. Conditions to be imposed in the licence include:

 extent of stripping and storage of top-soil and sub- soil for later use to cover up;
 types of materials to be accepted and the rate of filling;
 the working hours for land-filling and restoration;
 direction of tipping and extent of the working face;
 keeping records of all activities including deposition;
 layering of waste and use of compaction equipment;
 fencing and gates, site accommodation and provision
of services;
 description of operational techniques to deal with particular wastes;
 description of measures to deal with land and water pollution by leachate;
 description of measures to deal with gas emissions and/or migration of toxic agents from;
 cover materials both intermediate and final;
 progressive restoration plan; and,
 monitoring.

The licence should reflect the statutory requirements and these should be prepared after careful consultation with
all stake-holders.

7.2.2 Inspection Process

Establish an inspectorate and in particular the post of a HAZARDOUS WASTE INSPECTOR in NEMA as part of a specialised environmental inspectorate with the following goal and duties:

Goal

To ensure that the standards of waste disposal sites, licensing, operation, monitoring and enforcement are adequate to protect health and the environment.

Duties

 To examine on routine basic, the management of waste at all its stages from the starting point to that of final disposal by visiting facilities being used to handle, store, treat, process, and dispose of such waste.
 To investigate potential occurrences with a view to determine causes and preventive solutions.
 To advise waste disposal authorities on the execution of their duties.
 To make recommendations with the object of ensuring that standards of operation, site licensing, and enforcement are adequate to protect health and the environment, that they are equitable and consistent across the country.
 To liaise with all Government institutions that have a role to play in the field.
 To publish an annual report.

7.2.3 Fundamental Statistics

Establish the fundamental statistics by carrying out a study: on the total quantity of hazardous waste generated in the country, its types and sources, its geographical distribution, and its patterns of movement and disposal;

7.2.4 Registration Process

Establish a register of all facilities, sites licensed or authorised to deal with wastes.

Such facilities include:

 Landfill
 Transfer Station
 Storage
 Incineration
 Lagoon
 Recovery
 Treatment
 Civic Amenity
 Mineshaft
 Sludge Land Farm
 Reception Pit
 Baling
 Soakway
 Solidification
 Evaporation Pit

Each of these facilities should have a record of the location and of waste deposits to it. Any unauthorised tipping of waste and should therefore, be banned.

7.2.5 Institutional Responsibilities

Establish a functional hazardous waste disposal unit located in the Town Planner's Office in each urban authority. The duties of the waste dispersal unit include:

 to undertake a waste survey in its area and prepare a waste disposal plan;
 to control disposal sites by the issue of site licences;
 to ensure compliance with the site licence conditions; and,
 to administer the requirements of the Environment Management Statute.

7.2.6 Site Selection

Ensure scientific site selection and evaluation. Before licensing, it is essential for the operator to perform a detailed site investigation so that soil and hydrological characteristics are identified and consequently areas unsuitable for wastes are avoided The important site parameters to be used include:

 Land use
 Hydrology (surface, subsurface)
 Geology
 Soil properties (physical, chemical, hydraulic)
 Topography
 Climate (wind, temperature, moisture)

7.2.7 Site Mapping

Ensure that a land-fill site is mapped at a scale of 1 : 250 with 1 metre contour intervals. The map should show:

 the proposed fill area;
 any burrow area;
 access roads; and
 drainage devises;

This should include any other information which will show the planned development, operations and completion of the land-fill.

7.2.8 Site Monitoring: Standards for Monitoring Leachate

 The performance of the land-fill in holding waste has to be monitored at least once every 1 year.
 Leachate monitoring should not be confined to the land-fill itself, but should also take place outside the land-fill boundary.
 Monitoring must continue beyond the closure of the land-fill, for at least 5 years.

7.2.9 Site Closure

Site closure must be planned with detailed considerations equal to site development and operation. The following must be assured:

 adequate supply of final cover and top-soil;
 elimination of residual leachate problems;
 capping the site after refuse has been built to its final level to prevent rain-water ingress and weathering;
 landscaping; and,
 planting of trees.