[30 Pa.B. 6685]
[Continued from previous Web Page]
DAILY OPERATIONS § 273.211. Signs and markers.
(a) A person or municipality that operates a municipal waste landfill shall identify the facility and the recycling drop-off center required under § 273.332 (relating to recycled materials collection center) for the duration of operations by posting and maintaining a sign which is clearly visible and can be easily seen and read at the junction of each access road and public road. The sign shall be constructed of a durable, weather-resistant material. The sign shall show the name, business address and telephone number of the person or municipality that operates the facility, the operating hours of the facility and the number of the current permit authorizing operation of the facility.
(b) Permanent physical markers for the grid coordinate system and permit area markers shall be:
(1) Posted and maintained for the duration of the operations to which they pertain.
(2) Clearly visible, readable and uniform throughout the operation.
(3) Permanently fixed and made of a durable material.
(c) The perimeter of the site shall be clearly marked before the beginning of operations. The perimeter of a disposal area shall be clearly marked before the beginning of municipal waste disposal within that area.
(d) The permanent physical markers for the grid coordinate system shall be installed at the locations set forth in the permit, prior to the beginning of operations. The base line of the grid system shall be marked with two permanent monuments that show elevation.
§ 273.212. Access control.
(a) A gate or other barrier shall be maintained at potential vehicular access points to block unauthorized access to the site when an attendant is not on duty.
(b) The operator shall maintain a fence or other suitable barrier around the site, including impoundments, leachate collection and treatment systems and gas processing facilities, sufficient to prevent unauthorized access.
(c) Access to the site shall be limited to those times when an attendant is on duty.
§ 273.213. Access roads.
(a) An access road shall be designed, constructed and maintained to prevent erosion to the maximum extent possible and to prevent contributions of sediment to streams or runoff outside the site.
(b) A crossing of a perennial or intermittent stream or a wetland shall be made using bridges, culverts or similar structures. Bridges, culverts or other encroachments or water obstructions shall meet the requirements of Chapter 105 (relating to dam safety and waterway management).
(c) An access road shall have a drainage system that is compatible with the natural drainage system, structurally stable and which will pass safely the peak flow from a 25-year, 24-hour precipitation event. For roads that are used or in existence for more than 30 days, the drainage system shall include sloped or crowned road surfaces, cross drains or culverts, stabilized ditches, erosion resistant surfacing, sediment traps and other appropriate measures as required by § 273.242 (relating to soil erosion and sedimentation control).
(d) An access road shall be paved or surfaced with asphalt, gravel, cinders or other equivalent material approved by the Department in the permit. An access road shall be capable of withstanding the load limits projected by the applicant under § 273.134 (relating to plan for access roads). The maximum sustained grade of an access road may not exceed 12%.
(e) For roads leading to the waste disposal area, a landfill shall maintain a minimum cartway width of one of the following:
(1) Twenty-two feet for two-way traffic.
(2) Twelve feet for one-way traffic with pull-off intervals every 100 yards or a greater distance where there is a clear view of approaching vehicles.
(f) An access road negotiable by loaded collection vehicles shall be provided from the entrance gate of the facility to each unloading area. An access road shall also be provided to each treatment facility, impoundment and groundwater monitoring point. Other monitoring points shall be readily accessible.
(g) Disturbed areas adjacent to a road shall be vegetated or otherwise stabilized to prevent erosion.
(h) An access road shall be maintained to control dust and to prevent or control the tracking of mud on and off the site.
(i) An access road shall be designed, constructed and maintained to allow the orderly egress and ingress of vehicular traffic when the facility is in operation, including during inclement weather.
§ 273.214. Measurement and inspection of waste.
(a) An operator of a municipal waste landfill that has received, is receiving or will receive 30,000 or more cubic yards of solid waste in a calendar year shall weigh solid waste when it is received. The scale used to weigh solid waste shall conform to 3 Pa.C.S. Chapter 41 (relating to the Consolidated Weights and Measures Act) and 70 Pa. Code Part I (relating to general provisions). The operator of the scale shall be a licensed public weighmaster under 3 Pa.C.S. Chapter 41 and 70 Pa. Code Part I.
(b) The operator of a facility that is not required by subsection (a) to weigh waste when it is received shall accurately measure waste by volume or weight prior to unloading.
(c) The operator of a facility shall inspect and monitor incoming waste to insure that the receipt of waste is consistent with this article.
§ 273.215. Equipment.
(a) The operator shall maintain on the site equipment necessary for the operation of the facility in accordance with the permit. The equipment shall be maintained in an operable condition.
(b) If a breakdown of the operator's equipment occurs, the operator shall utilize standby equipment as necessary to comply with the act, the environmental protection acts, this subchapter and permit conditions.
§ 273.216. Unloading and compaction.
(a) An attendant or clearly marked signs shall direct vehicles to the unloading area.
(b) The operator shall ensure that collection vehicles unload waste promptly in unloading areas.
(c) Solid waste shall be spread and compacted as approved by the Department as part of the permit.
§ 273.217. Air resources protection.
(a) The operator shall implement fugitive air contaminant control measures and otherwise prevent and control air pollution in accordance with the Air Pollution Control Act (35 P. S. §§ 4001--4014), Article III (relating to air resources) and § 273.218 (relating to nuisance minimization and control). Minimization and control measures shall include the following:
(1) Ensuring that operation of the facility will not cause or contribute to exceeding ambient air quality standards under § 131.3 (relating to ambient air quality standards).
(2) Ensuring that no open burning occurs at the facility.
(3) Minimizing the generation of fugitive dust emissions from the facility.
(b) The operator shall comply with the terms and conditions of an air quality plan approval and air quality operating permit issued to the facility under Chapter 127 (relating to construction, modification, reactivation and operation of sources).
§ 273.218. Nuisance minimization and control.
(a) Vectors. An operator may not cause or allow the attraction, harborage or breeding of vectors.
(b) Odors.
(1) An operator shall implement the plan approved under § 273.136 (relating to nuisance minimization and control plan) to minimize and control public nuisances from odors. If the Department determines during operation of the facility that the plan is inadequate to minimize or control public nuisances, the Department may modify the plan or require the operator to modify the plan and obtain Department approval.
(2) An operator shall perform regular, frequent and comprehensive site inspections to evaluate the effectiveness of cover, capping, gas collection and destruction, waste acceptance and all other waste management practices in reducing the potential for offsite odor creation.
(3) An operator shall promptly address and correct problems and deficiencies discovered in the course of inspections performed under paragraph (2).
(c) Other. An operator shall implement the plan approved under § 273.136 to minimize and control other conditions that are harmful to the environment or public health, or which create safety hazards, odors, dust, noise, unsightliness and other public nuisances.
§ 273.221. Daily volume.
(a) A person or municipality operating a municipal waste landfill may not receive solid waste at the landfill in excess of the maximum or average daily volume approved in the permit.
(b) The average daily volume is a limit on the volume of solid waste that is permitted to be received at the facility, and shall be computed quarterly by averaging the total volume received over the quarter.
§ 273.223. Radiation monitoring and response.
(a) An operator shall implement the action plan approved under § 273.140a (relating to radiation protection action plan).
(b) An operator shall monitor incoming waste in accordance with the Department's ''Guidance Document on Radioactivity Monitoring at Solid Waste Processing and Disposal Facilities,'' Document Number 250-3100-001 or in a manner at least as protective of the environment, facility staff and public health and safety. Monitoring shall meet the requirements of this section and the facility's approved radiation protection action plan.
(c) Radiation detector elements shall be as close as practical to the waste load and in an appropriate geometry to monitor the waste. The radiation monitoring system shall be set to alarm at a level no higher than 10 microroentgen per hour (µR/hr) above the average background at the facility when any of the radiation detector elements is exposed to a cesium-137 gamma radiation field. Radiation detector elements shall be shielded to maintain the average background below 10 µR/hr. If capable of energy discrimination, the radiation monitoring system shall be set to detect gamma rays of a 50 kiloelectron volt (keV) energy and higher.
(d) An operator shall have portable radiation monitors capable of determining the radiation dose rate and presence of contamination on a vehicle that has caused an alarm. Upon a confirmed exceedance of the alarm level in subsection (c), a radiological survey of the vehicle shall be performed.
(e) An operator shall notify the Department immediately and isolate the vehicle when radiation dose rates of 20 µSvh-1 (2 mremh-1) or greater are detected in the cab of a vehicle, 500 µSvh-1 (50 mremh-1) or greater are detected from any other surface, or contamination is detected on the outside of the vehicle.
(f) Monitoring equipment shall be calibrated at a frequency specified by the manufacturer, but not less than once a year.
(g) If radioactive material is detected, the vehicle containing the radioactive material may not leave the facility without written Department approval and an authorized United States Department of Transportation exemption form.
COVER AND REVEGETATION § 273.231. (Reserved).
§ 273.232. Daily cover.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a uniform cover of the approved daily cover material shall be placed on exposed solid waste at the end of each working day or at the end of every 24 hours, whichever interval is less.
(b) The composition of the daily cover material shall meet the following performance standards. The daily cover shall:
(1) Prevent vectors, odors, blowing litter and other nuisances.
(2) Cover solid waste after it is placed without change in its properties and without regard to weather.
(3) Be capable of allowing loaded vehicles to successfully maneuver over it after placement.
(4) Be capable of controlling fires.
(5) Be consistent with the waste acceptance plan for the facility.
(c) A 5-day supply of cover material shall be maintained on the site.
(d) Intermediate slopes constructed during daily landfilling activities may not exceed 50%.
§ 273.233. Intermediate cover and slopes.
(a) A uniform and compacted intermediate cover shall be placed within 7 days of waste disposal on the following:
(1) Each partial lift for which the operator intends to place no additional waste for 6 months.
(2) Each partial or completed lift that represents final permitted elevations for that part of the facility.
(b) The composition of the intermediate cover material shall meet the following performance standards. The intermediate cover shall:
(1) Prevent vectors, odors, blowing litter and other nuisances.
(2) Cover solid waste after it is placed without change in its properties and without regard to weather.
(3) Be capable of allowing loaded vehicles to successfully maneuver over it after placement.
(4) Be capable of controlling fires.
(5) Control infiltration of precipitation and erosion and sedimentation.
(6) Support the germination and propagation of vegetative cover as required by §§ 273.235 and 273.236 (relating to revegetation; and standards for successful revegetation) unless vegetative cover is not necessary to control infiltration of precipitation and erosion and sedimentation.
(7) Be consistent with the waste acceptance plan for the facility.
(c) Unless alternative design requirements to meet the performance standards in subsection (b) are approved as part of the permit under § 271.231 (relating to equivalency review procedure), intermediate cover shall meet the following design requirements:
(1) If soil or soil-like material is used, the layer shall be at least 12 inches in thickness.
(2) If soil or soil-like material is used, the layer shall be uniformly graded.
(d) A 5-day supply of cover material shall be maintained on the site.
(e) If intermediate cover requires vegetation it shall be established within 30 days.
(f) Slopes constructed during daily landfilling and intermediate cover activities may not exceed 50%.
§ 273.234. Final cover and grading.
(a) The operator shall provide final cover in the following manner:
(1) A cap shall be placed over the entire surface of each final lift. The following performance standards for the cap shall be met:
(i) The cap shall have a permeability less than or equal to the permeability of the primary liner or a permeability no greater than 1 X 10-7 cm/sec, whichever is less.
(ii) The cap shall be resistant to physical and chemical failure.
(iii) The cap shall cover all areas where waste is disposed.
(2) A drainage layer capable of transmitting flow and preventing erosion of the soil layer shall be placed over the cap.
(3) A uniform and compacted layer of soil at least 2 feet in thickness shall be placed over the drainage layer.
(b) The operator shall place final cover within 1 year after disposal in the final lift ceases or as soon thereafter as weather permits, unless the Department, in the permit, allows a later period based on a demonstration that a later period is necessary to protect the final cover from differential settlement of waste at the facility. The Department will not allow a later period unless, at a minimum, delayed installation will not cause or allow violations of this article, the act or the environmental protection acts.
(c) Unless alternative design requirements to meet the performance standards in subsection (a)(1)(i)--(iii) are approved as part of the permit under § 271.231 (relating to equivalency review procedure), the cap shall meet the design requirements set forth for caps in Table 1 in § 273.256(e) (relating to primary liner) which will not result in a permeability greater than that of the primary liner.
(d) The layer of material described in subsection (a)(3) shall meet the following performance standards. The layer shall:
(1) Prevent vectors, odors, blowing litter and other nuisances.
(2) Be capable of allowing loaded vehicles to successfully maneuver over it after placement.
(3) Be capable of controlling fires.
(4) Be capable of supporting the germination and propagation of vegetative cover as required by §§ 273.235 and 273.236 (relating to revegetation; and standards for successful revegetation).
(5) Ensure slope stability.
(e) Unless alternative design requirements to meet the performance standards in subsection (d) are approved as part of the permit under § 271.231 (relating to equivalency review procedure), the layer of material described in subsection (a)(3) shall meet the following design requirements:
(1) The cover soil shall fall within the United States Department of Agriculture textural classes of sandy loam, loam, sandy clay loam, silty clay loam, loamy sand and silt loam as defined in the Soil Survey Manual published by the United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service (available from the Department or the Northeast National Technical Center of the Soil Conservation Service, 160 E. 7th Street, Chester, Pennsylvania 19103-6092).
(2) At least 40% by weight of the cover soil shall be capable of passing through a 2 millimeter, no. 10 mesh sieve.
(f) The grade of final slopes shall be designed, installed and maintained to:
(1) Ensure permanent slope stability.
(2) Control erosion due to rapid water velocity and other factors.
(3) Allow compaction, seeding and revegetation of cover material placed on the slopes.
(4) Ensure minimal percolation of precipitation and surface runoff into the disposal area.
(g) Unless the Department authorizes a different slope design in the permit based on a demonstration that the different design can meet the requirements of subsection (f), slopes shall be designed, installed and maintained as follows:
(1) The grade of the final surface of the facility may not be less than 3%.
(2) If the Department approves final grades of more than 15%:
(i) The operator shall construct a horizontal terrace at least 15 feet wide on the slope for every 25 feet maximum rise in elevations on the slope. The terrace width shall be measured as the horizontal distance between slope segments.
(ii) The gradient of the terrace shall be 5% into the landfill.
(iii) Drainage ditches shall be constructed on each horizontal terrace to convey flows.
(3) An operator may not leave final slopes that have a grade exceeding 33%, including slopes between benched terraces.
WATER QUALITY PROTECTION § 273.241. General requirements.
(a) The operator may not cause or allow a point or nonpoint source discharge of pollution from or on the facility to surface waters of this Commonwealth.
(b) A municipal waste landfill shall be operated to prevent and control surface and groundwater pollution. An operator shall operate and maintain necessary surface and groundwater treatment facilities until surface or groundwater pollution from the facility has been permanently abated.
(c) The operator may not cause or allow water pollution within or outside the site from operation of the facility.
§ 273.245. Water supply replacement.
(a) A person or municipality operating a municipal waste landfill which adversely affects a water supply by degradation, pollution or other means shall restore or replace the affected water supply with an alternate source that is of like quantity and quality to the original supply at no additional cost to the owner. For purposes of this section, the term ''water supply'' includes existing or currently designated or currently planned sources of water or facilities or systems for the supply of water for human consumption or for agricultural, commercial, industrial or other legitimate use, including the uses protected by Chapter 93 (relating to water quality standards).
(b) A temporary water supply shall be provided as soon as practicable but not later than 48 hours after one of the following:
(1) Receipt of information showing that the operator is responsible for adversely affecting the water supply.
(2) Receipt of notice from the Department that the operator is responsible for adversely affecting the water supply.
(c) A permanent water supply shall be provided as soon as practicable but not later than 90 days after one of the following:
(1) Receipt of information showing that the operator is responsible for adversely affecting the water supply.
(2) Receipt of notice from the Department that the operator is responsible for adversely affecting the water supply.
(d) Permanent water supplies include development of a new well with a distribution system, interconnection with a public water supply, or extension of a private water supply, but do not include provision of bottled water or a water tank supplied by a bulk water hauling system, which are temporary water supplies.
LINER SYSTEM § 273.251. Scope and requirements.
(a) A person or municipality shall design, construct, operate and maintain a liner system for disposal areas of a municipal waste landfill or components of it under this section and §§ 273.252--273.260 (relating to liner system) if one of the following applies:
(1) The person or municipality receives a permit to operate a municipal waste landfill after April 9, 1988 including a permit that results in an expansion of a facility permitted prior to April 9, 1988.
(2) The person or municipality disposes of waste on a permitted or unpermitted component thereof where waste was not disposed prior to April 9, 1988.
(b) A liner system shall consist of the following elements:
(1) Subbase, which is the prepared layer of soil or earthen materials upon which the remainder of the liner system is constructed.
(2) Secondary liner, which is a continuous layer of synthetic materials or remolded clay placed on the subbase.
(3) Leachate detection zone, which is the prepared layer placed on top of the secondary liner and upon which the primary liner is placed, and in which a leachate detection system is located.
(4) Primary liner, which is a continuous layer of synthetic materials placed on the leachate detection zone.
(5) Protective cover and leachate collection zone, which is a prepared layer placed over the primary liner in which a leachate collection system is located.
(c) Either the primary or the secondary liner shall be constructed as a composite liner. For a permit issued under this article prior to December 23, 2000, this requirement does not apply until December 24, 2001.
§ 273.252. General limitations.
(a) The bottom of the subbase of the liner system cannot be in contact with the seasonal high water table or perched water table without the use of groundwater pumping systems.
(1) Soil mottling may indicate the presence of a seasonal high water table.
(2) Drainage systems may be utilized to prevent contact between the bottom of the subbase of the liner system and the seasonal high water table or perched water table. The operator may not use a drainage system if the system is likely to adversely affect the quality or quantity of water provided by a public or private water supply, even if a replacement supply is available under § 273.245 (relating to water supply replacement). The drainage system shall be limited to drain tile, piping, french drains or equivalent methods.
(b) At least 8 feet shall be maintained between the bottom of the subbase of the liner system and the regional groundwater table in an unconfined aquifer. The regional groundwater table may not be artificially lowered.
(c) In a confined aquifer, at least 8 feet shall be maintained between the bottom of the subbase of the liner system and the top of the confining layer or the shallowest level below the bottom of the subbase where groundwater occurs as a result of upward leakage from natural or preexisting causes. The integrity of the confining layer may not be compromised by excavation.
(d) If the approved design plans provide for the placement of additional adjacent liner:
(1) Waste may not be placed within 25 feet of an edge of the liner.
(2) The edge of the liner shall be protected by soil cover, or another material approved in the permit, until additional liner is added.
(3) A lined berm at least 4 feet high shall be constructed and maintained to prevent the lateral escape of leachate.
(4) Adequate spacing shall be maintained on the inside of the berm to collect stormwater and sediment.
(e) If the approved design plans do not provide for the placement of additional adjacent liner, waste may not be placed within 15 feet of the inside top of the lined perimeter berm.
(f) A lined perimeter berm at least 4 feet high shall be constructed and maintained along the edge of the lined disposal area to prevent the lateral escape of leachate.
(g) The edge of the liner shall be clearly marked.
§ 273.253. Subbase.
(a) The subbase shall meet the following performance standards. The subbase shall:
(1) Bear the weight of the liner system, waste, waste cover material and equipment operating on the facility without causing or allowing a failure of the liner system.
(2) Accommodate potential settlement without damage to the liner system.
(b) Unless alternative design requirements to meet the performance standards in subsection (a) are approved as part of the permit under § 271.231 (relating to equivalency review procedure), the subbase shall meet the following design requirements. The subbase shall:
(1) Be at least 6 inches thick and compacted to a standard proctor density of at least 95%.
(2) Be no more permeable than 1 x 10-5 cm./sec., based on laboratory and field testing unless the clay component of a composite liner is designed and constructed directly above the subbase.
(3) Be hard, uniform, smooth and free of debris, rock, plant materials and other foreign material.
(4) Have a postsettlement slope of at least 2% and no more than 33%.
§ 273.254. Secondary liner.
(a) Performance standards. The secondary liner shall meet the following requirements:
(1) It shall prevent the migration of leachate through the liner to the greatest degree that is technologically possible.
(2) The effectiveness of it in preventing the migration of leachate may not be adversely affected by the physical or chemical characteristics of solid waste, solid waste constituents or leachate from the facility.
(3) It shall be resistant to physical failure, chemical failure and other failure from the sources identified under § 273.161(d) (relating to liner system and leachate control plan).
(b) Alternative design requirements. Unless alternative design requirements to meet the performance standards in subsection (a) are approved as part of the permit under § 271.231 (relating to equivalency review procedure), the secondary liner shall meet, at a minimum, the requirements of the table in § 273.256(e) (relating to primary liner).
(c) Requirements. A secondary liner shall:
(1) Be no more permeable than 1 x 10-7 cm./sec. based on laboratory and field testing.
(2) Be installed according to manufacturer's specifications under the supervision of an authorized representative of the manufacturer if the liner is synthetic. An approved quality assurance and quality control plan shall be implemented in the field during the installation of the liner.
(3) Be designed, installed and maintained according to a quality assurance and quality control plan approved by the Department if the liner is remolded clay.
(4) Be inspected for uniformity, damage and imperfections during construction and installation.
(d) Compacted lifts. Secondary liners made of clay, bentonite and bentonite-like materials shall be constructed in compacted lifts not exceeding 6 inches in depth unless the operator submits data from a field demonstration validating the suitability of compacted lifts greater than 6 inches. A lift shall be scarified before placement of the next lift.
(e) Composite secondary liner.
(1) If the operator does not design, construct, operate and maintain a composite primary liner, the operator shall design, construct, operate and maintain a composite secondary liner which has the following components:
(i) An upper component made of a manufactured geosynthetic liner that meets the requirements of this section independently of the composite component.
(ii) A composite component made of earthen material that meets the requirements of this section independently of the upper component, except that the composite component may be no more permeable than 1.0 x 10-7 cm/sec. based on laboratory and field testing and, at a minimum, meets the requirements of the table in § 273.256(e) (relating to primary liner).
(2) The two components of the composite liner shall be designed, constructed and maintained to provide a compression connection, or direct, continuous, and uniform contact, between them.
(3) The use of a composite secondary liner does not relieve the operator of responsibility for a separate primary liner under § 273.256.
(f) Natural attenuation of leachate prohibited. A facility or a component thereof that is subject to this chapter may not have a secondary liner based upon natural attenuation of leachate.
§ 273.255. Leachate detection zone.
(a) The leachate detection zone shall meet the following performance standards. The leachate detection zone shall:
(1) Rapidly detect and collect liquid entering the leachate detection zone, and rapidly transmit the liquid to the leachate treatment system.
(2) Withstand chemical attack from waste or leachate.
(3) Withstand anticipated loads, stresses and disturbances from overlying waste, waste cover materials and equipment operation.
(4) Function without clogging.
(5) Prevent the liner from cracking, tearing, stretching or otherwise losing its physical integrity.
(6) Cover the bottom and sidewalls of the facility.
(b) Unless alternative design requirements to meet the performance standards in subsection (a) are approved as part of the permit under § 271.231 (relating to equivalency review procedure), the leachate detection zone of a liner system shall meet the following design requirements:
(1) Be at least 12 inches thick.
(2) Contain no material exceeding 0.5 inches in particle size.
(3) Create a flow zone between the secondary liner and the primary liner equal to or more permeable than 1 x 10-2 cm./sec. based on a laboratory testing and, when required by the Department, field testing.
(4) Contain a perforated piping system capable of detecting and intercepting liquid within the leachate detection zone and conveying the liquid to a collection sump for storage, processing or disposal. The sump shall be separate from the leachate collection sump, and shall be of a sufficient size to transmit leachate that is generated.
(5) The piping system shall also meet the following:
(i) The slope, size and spacing of the piping system shall assure that liquids drain from the leachate detection zone.
(ii) The pipes shall be installed primarily perpendicular to the flow and shall have a minimum postsettlement grade of at least 2%.
(iii) The minimum diameter of the perforated pipe shall be 4 inches with a wall thickness of Schedule-80 or greater, as specified by ASTM, or equivalent.
(iv) The pipes shall be cleaned and maintained as necessary.
(6) The leachate detection zone shall have a minimum bottom slope of 2%.
(7) Contain stone or aggregates without sharp edges.
(c) The operator shall monitor the leachate detection zone weekly to determine whether liquid is flowing from the zone.
(d) If liquid is flowing from the leachate detection zone, the operator shall:
(1) Immediately notify the Department in writing.
(2) Estimate, on a weekly basis, the volume of liquid flowing from the zone.
(3) Sample and analyze the liquid, on a quarterly basis, for pH, specific conductivity, total organic carbon, chloride, total alkalinity, ammonia-nitrogen and chemical oxygen demand. The Department may also require sampling and analysis for other constituents expected to be found in the waste.
(4) Provide written copies of flow and analysis data to the Department.
(e) If leachate flow is greater than 100 gallons per acre of liner collection area per day or more than 10% of leachate generation, the operator shall:
(1) Submit to the Department within 30 days a plan for locating the source of leachate in the leachate detection zone, and for determining the severity and cause of leachate penetration.
(2) Implement the plan upon Department approval, and complete the plan in a reasonable time not to exceed 6 months.
(3) Submit to the Department within 45 days after completion of the plan a report containing the new data collected, analysis of the data and recommendations concerning a remedial plan.
(4) Conduct quarterly sampling and analysis for the parameters in § 273.284 (relating to sampling and analysis), and submit copies of the results of the analysis to the Department.
(f) If sampling results indicate the presence of constituents at concentrations that could result in degradation of groundwater, the operator shall:
(1) Submit to the Department a remedial plan for controlling the source of leachate in the leachate detection zone, and implement the plan upon Department approval.
(2) Submit to the Department a permit modification application under § 271.222 (relating to permit modification) for increased groundwater monitoring, giving consideration to monitoring frequency, number of wells and other factors, and conduct increased groundwater monitoring upon Department approval of the application.
§ 273.256. Primary liner.
(a) General. The primary liner shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The primary liner shall prevent the migration of leachate through the liner to the greatest degree that is technologically possible.
(2) The effectiveness of the primary liner in preventing the migration of leachate may not be adversely affected by the physical or chemical characteristics of solid waste, solid waste constituents or leachate from the facility.
(3) The primary liner shall be resistant to physical failure, chemical failure and other failure from the properties identified in § 273.161(d) (relating to liner system and leachate control plan).
(b) Alternative design standards. Unless alternative design standards to meet the performance standards in subsection (a) are approved as part of the permit under § 271.231 (relating to equivalency review procedure), the primary liner shall meet, at a minimum, the requirements of the table in subsection (e).
(c) Requirements. A primary liner shall:
(1) Be no more permeable than 1 x 10-7 cm./sec. based on laboratory and field testing.
(2) Be installed according to the manufacturer's specifications under the supervision of an authorized representative of the manufacturer. The approved quality control program shall be implemented in the field during the installation of the liner.
(3) Be inspected for uniformity, damage and imperfections during construction or installation.
(d) Composite primary liner.
(1) If the operator does not design, construct, operate and maintain a composite secondary liner, the operator shall design, construct, operate and maintain a composite primary liner which has the following components:
(i) An upper component made of a manufactured geosynthetic liner that meets the requirements of this section independently of the composite component.
(ii) A composite component made of earthen material that meets the requirements of this section independently of the upper component, except that the composite component shall be no more permeable than 1.0 x 10-7 cm./sec. based on laboratory and field testing and, at a minimum, meets the requirements of the table in subsection (e).
(2) The two components of the composite liner shall be designed, constructed and maintained to provide a compression connection, or direct, continuous, and uniform contact between them.
(3) Use of a composite primary liner does not relieve the operator of responsibility for a separate secondary liner under § 273.254.
(e) Natural attenuation of leachate prohibited. A facility or component thereof that is subject to this chapter may not have a primary liner based upon natural attenuation of leachate.
TABLE I
MINIMUM LINER DESIGN STANDARDS
MINIMUM FIELD THICKNESS LINER DENSITY LINER (UNITS AS (TESTS AS MATERIAL FUNCTION SPECIFIED) SPECIFIED) REMARKS Geosynthetic Primary or
secondary
liner30 mil NA 1. A greater thickness may be required depending upon the recommendations of the manufacturer.
2. HDPE liners shall be at least 60 mil.Geosynthetic Cap 30 mil NA 1. A greater thickness may be required depending upon the recommendations of the manufacturer. Natural &
Remolded ClaySecondary Liner,
Composite component2 feet
2 feet>= 90%*
>= 90%*
1. Minimum of 30% fines by weight less than 0.074 mm particle size (# 200 sieve).
2. Plasticity index 10.
3. No coarse fragments greater than 3/4 inch in diameter.Sodium
Bentonite &
Bentonite-like
materialsSecondary Liner,
Composite
component1 foot
1 foot>= 90%*
>= 90%
1. Minimum of 8% powdered sodium bentonite or manufacturer's recommendations, whichever is greater.
2. No coarse fragments greater than 3/4 inch in diameter.
3. No organic matter.Geosynthetic
clay liner
(GCL)Composite
componentN/A N/A Minimum of 3/4 pound of powdered or granular sodium bentonite per square foot. * Percentage is of maximum theoretical density when using Marshall method of design, and percentage of maximum when using Standard Proctor method of design (Pa. PTM No. 106, Method B).
§ 273.257. Protective cover.
(a) The protective cover shall meet the following performance standards. The protective cover shall:
(1) Protect the primary liner from physical damage from stresses and disturbances from overlying wastes, waste cover materials and equipment operation.
(2) Protect the leachate collection system within the protective cover from stresses and disturbances from overlying wastes, waste cover materials and equipment operation.
(3) Allow the continuous and free flow of leachate into the leachate collection system within the protective cover.
(4) Cover the bottom and sidewalls of the disposal area.
(b) Unless alternative design requirements to meet the performance standards in subsection (a) are approved as part of the permit under § 271.231 (relating to equivalency review procedure), the protective cover shall meet the following design requirements. The protective cover shall be:
(1) Comprised of clean earth material that contains no aggregate, rocks, debris, plant material or other solid material larger than 1/2 inch in diameter, and no material with sharp edges.
(2) As permeable as or more permeable than, 1 x 10-2 cm./sec. based on field testing, and shall allow the free flow of liquids and leachate passing through or generated by solid waste.
(3) At least 18 inches in thickness.
§ 273.258. Leachate collection system within protective cover.
(a) The leachate collection system within the protective cover shall meet the following performance standards. The leachate collection system shall:
(1) Ensure that free flowing liquids and leachate will drain continuously from the protective cover to the leachate treatment system without ponding or accumulating on the liner.
(2) Ensure that the depth of leachate on or above the primary liner does not exceed 1 foot.
(3) Withstand chemical attack from leachate.
(4) Withstand anticipated loads, stresses and disturbances from overlying waste, waste cover materials and equipment operation.
(5) Function without clogging.
(6) Cover the bottom and sidewalls of the facility.
(b) Unless alternative design requirements to the performance standards in subsection (a) are approved as part of the permit under § 271.231 (relating to equivalency review procedure), the leachate collection system within the protective cover shall comply with the following design requirements:
(1) The leachate collection system shall include a perforated piping system which is capable of intercepting free flowing liquids and leachate within the protective cover and conveying them to a collection sump for storage, processing or disposal. The collection sump shall be of sufficient size to transmit leachate that is generated and shall be capable of automatic and continuous functioning.
(2) The perforated piping system shall be sloped, sized and spaced to assure that free flowing liquids and leachate will drain continuously from the protective cover to the collection sump or point.
(3) The minimum diameter of the perforated pipes shall be 6 inches with a wall thickness of Schedule 80 or greater as specified by ASTM, or equivalent.
(4) The leachate collection system shall contain stones or aggregates.
(5) The pipes shall be installed primarily perpendicular to the flow and shall have a postsettlement grade of at least 2%.
(6) The leachate collection system shall be cleaned and maintained as necessary.
(7) The leachate collection system shall have a minimum bottom slope of 2%.
[Continued on next Web Page]
No part of the information on this site may be reproduced for profit or sold for profit.This material has been drawn directly from the official Pennsylvania Bulletin full text database. Due to the limitations of HTML or differences in display capabilities of different browsers, this version may differ slightly from the official printed version.
