CONSTRUCTION OF CELL 9 UPDATE
UPDATE FROM WITHYHEDGE LANDFILL SITE : 20 SEPT 2024
As construction on the newest area of tipping at the Withyhedge Landfill site continues, Cell 9, RML are pleased to provide the following update:
Cell 9A
Work on this sub-cell has been completed in accordance with CQA requirements. The Cell 9A CQA Validation report was submitted to NRW on 02-09-24. This is currently being reviewed by the regulator, NRW. You can see their latest update here - Natural Resources Wales / Natural Resources Wales reviews engineering report on new Withyhedge Landfill cell construction9A
NRW will need to approve this before RML commence tipping in Cell 9.
Cell 9B
The work on this sub-cell has been completed in accordance with CQA requirements. A CQA report is currently being prepared to submit to the regulator, NRW, for approval. We anticipate it will be submitted by next week.
Cell 9C
Shaping work has been completed. Lining works are currently in progress. As with the other Cells, all work is being done in accordance with CQA requirements.
RML will provide further updates as we progress.
TECHNICAL GROUP UPDATE
Landfill Site Technical Specialists meet with Community Technical Group
RML were pleased to host the technical meeting on Wednesday 4th September, between our technical specialists Geotechnology Ltd and the Community Technical Group. The meeting provided an opportunity for the specialists to provide the community on several subjects, which included:
- Overview of Withyhedge Landfill Site – Propeller System
- Odour and Gas Monitoring Infrastructure – Community and Site
- Review of Monitoring Results to Date
- Rudbaxton Monitoring and Proposed Future Monitoring
- Site Walkover
- Discussion about future engagement, liaison and data sharing
Thanks to Geotechnology Ltd and the Community for coming together.
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NRW Water Surface Monitoring
Statement on NRW Water Surface Monitoring
We welcome the recent report from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) regarding water surface monitoring. Ref: CAR_NRW0044753
The data confirms that there are elevated levels of pollution emanating from upstream to the landfill site, however, the water quality at RMLs discharge point is below the permit threshold; this in turn is positively contributing towards improved water quality downstream.
We will continue working closely with NRW and other stakeholders to ensure we are maintaining high standards of water quality, within our permit stipulations and or the long-term protection of our streams and water courses.
LANDFILL CONSTRUCTION "CELL 9" UPDATE
As an update to the development and construction of Cell 9, the next section of landfill space to be created at site; Cell 9 will be split into 3 smaller sub-cells: 9a, 9b and 9c.
We can confirm that:
Cell 9a
The work on this subcell has been completed and constructed in accordance with construction quality assurance (CQA) requirements. A CQA report is currently being prepared to submit to the regulator, NRW, for approval.
Cell 9b
The cell has been prepared and lined. The next phase is to lay the drainage blanket and works to complete this will continue over the next few weeks. As with Cell 9a, all work has been done in accordance with CQA requirements.
Cell 9c
Initial shaping has commenced, and construction will continue through the Summer.
We will provide further updates as we progress.
SURFACE WATER LAGOON IMPROVEMENTS
Week commencing 1st July, RML began work on site to build new surface water lagoons. The construction of these lagoons is an integral part of upgrading our surface water management infrastructure as the impermeable layers of the site expands. The purpose of the lagoons is to protect the environment by capturing and treating surface water run off before it gets discharged. Providing surface water ponds at this location is a Permit requirement. Leachate is collected separately and removed from site by tanker to a treatment works so these ponds will not receive any leachate.
Various teams from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) including the Industry Regulation team, Local Environment Team, and Forestry Regulation Team have recently visited this area. All developments and improvements to this particular area of site continue to be carried in consultation with the regulator and within the site's permitted compliance.
Moving forward, RML will continue to work closely with the regulator as NRW themselves continue to closely monitor this area of the site whilst work takes place.
MAIN FLARE MAINTENANCE : 30TH JULY
29th July 2024
This is an announcement to confirm that Resources Management UK Limited will be undertaking an annual maintenance of the main landfill gas flare on Tuesday, 30th July.
The work will commence at 9 AM and should not take more than 3 hours.
While we do not expect any disruption of landfill gas release, there is always the potential for such an event during such maintenance.
SITE UPDATE STATEMENT : 23 JULY 2024
Natural Resources Wales released a statement on Friday 19th July confirming that all work required from our site as part of their Regulation 36 Enforcement Notices served on RML in February and April of this year, has been fully complied with.
The continued work has resulted in the dissipation of landfill odour, and we anticipate this will continue to be the case going forward, notwithstanding the presence of other odour sources not related to Withyhedge Landfill Site in the vicinity.
We continue to work closely with the regulator and continue engineering work on the next cells, and work on improving and updating the gas management infrastructure on site. The site will remain closed until this work is completed.
WITHYHEDGE LANDFILL SITE UPDATE : 5 JULY 2024
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON MONDAY 8TH JULY
On Monday 8th July, scheduled maintenance on the gas collection systems will be carried out, we expect this will take a few hours. The backup flare will be running, and we don’t anticipate this work will cause any odour issues but would like to keep the community informed that this work will be taking place.
Moving forward, RML will endeavour to provide updates whenever such work is scheduled.
WITHYHEDGE LANDFILL SITE UPDATE : 28 JUNE 2024
RML are pleased to confirm that progress on the construction of cell 9 is progressing to schedule and that the CQA for its approval is due to be submitted to the regulator imminently.
We will also be taking advantage of the extended site closure period to update our gas management equipment on site; this will enable the site to be more resilient to breakdowns and give increased capacity and efficiency to the gas collection network.
RML have consistently taken the lead in initiating air quality monitoring around the site and welcome the efforts currently being undertaken by PCC and NRW. To further support this ongoing initiative and the work of the independent specialist consultants already employed, RML will permanently introduce AQ Mesh monitors on-site. These new sensors, designed to continuously detect hydrogen sulfide and other VOC gases, will be placed at various locations around the site, with the information being shared with our partners.
We continue to work closely with NRW and will provide further updates on progress and re-opening dates when they are known.
STATEMENT RESPONSE: CHANNEL 4 DISPATCHES
Statement following Channel 4 Dispatches “Rubbish Tip Britain” first broadcast on Friday 21st June 2024
Dauson Environmental Group is extremely disappointed with the tone, context, and content of the Channel 4 Dispatches “Rubbish Tip Britain” despite providing comprehensive information to the Production Company before broadcast.
Dauson Environmental Group employs over 250 people across Wales and contributes around £50m every year to the Welsh economy. The value at the core of our business is to clean up the environment, and as a business we are committed to recycling, redevelopment, and regeneration and are proud to provide a significant contribution to the total amount of waste recycling in Wales.
Waste management, by its very nature, is a highly regulated industry. Dauson Environmental Group is committed to maintaining these high standards of environmental management and transparency. We therefore regularly and openly engage with Natural Resources Wales and other appropriate stakeholders.
Withyhedge Landfill Site
Since the purchase of the site in 2022, Dauson Environmental Group has invested over £5m at the site in order to make significant improvements. We are unable to comment on activities relating to the site prior to our ownership. This includes alleged receipt of hazardous medical waste.
We are confident that the issue of odour has been resolved. In consultation with NRW, we have implemented measures to ensure that any odour from the site is minimised and does not affect the surrounding community.
We once again apologise for the impact this has had on local residents and our community.
However, whilst the broadcast stated that Public Health Wales has recently said that “hydrogen sulphide levels had exceeded safe levels”, in fact the levels recorded have only exceeded those associated with odour nuisance, not safety thresholds.
It should also be noted that Public Health Wales’ statement relates to a snapshot from approximately three months ago when samples were tested. Independent sampling and testing has been taking place for some time and we welcome updated sampling and testing to reassure the community.
Having reviewed footage of the alleged leachate leak captured by drone footage, we can advise that this shows a discharge into a containment ditch for surface water collection, and not into a waterway. This was not reported as such in the broadcast.
We understand that NRW is investigating water pollution in the area more generally which is likely to involve a number of local operators as well as other facilities further upstream. It is inappropriate to comment further until the investigation is concluded.
Waste Management
Withyhedge Landfill site does not knowingly accept non-conforming waste. This includes plasterboard, wood, tyres, and metal girders; Our waste acceptance procedures are stringent to prevent such materials from entering our site.
Our leachate is managed in strict accordance with our leachate management plan. We should make clear that the re-circulation of leachate is an accepted practice and not a violation of our permit. In addition, in excess of 35,000 tonnes of leachate has been removed from site in the past 12 months for treatment.
We are not aware of any ongoing inquiry into waste mis-categorisation or tax improprieties; however, we are committed to working with regulators to address any issues that may arise.
It should be noted that the claim in the programme that a typical artic load is between 30 and 40 tonnes is incorrect. The average load weight at our site is between 20 and 25 tonnes.
Drone footage
Dauson Environmental Group categorically denies the allegations of gunshots on our site. We would suggest that the investigators confused the noise with automated ‘bird scarers’ which are deployed on site