[30 Pa.B. 6685]
[Continued from previous Web Page]
DAILY OPERATIONS § 277.211. Signs and markers.
(a) A person or municipality that operates a construction/demolition waste landfill shall identify the facility 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 who 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:
(1) Be posted and maintained for the duration of the operations to which they pertain.
(2) Be clearly visible, readable and uniform throughout the operation.
(3) Be 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 construction/demolition 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.
§ 277.212. 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, and leachate collection and treatment systems, sufficient to prevent unauthorized access.
(c) Access to the site shall be limited to times when an attendant is on duty.
§ 277.213. 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 § 277.242 (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 § 277.134 (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 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.
(g) An access road negotiable by loaded collection vehicles shall be provided from the entrance gate of the facility to unloading areas. An access road shall be provided to each treatment facility impoundment and groundwater monitoring point. Other monitoring points shall be readily accessible.
(h) Disturbed areas adjacent to a road shall be vegetated or otherwise stabilized to prevent erosion.
(i) An access road shall be maintained to control dust and to prevent or control the tracking of mud on and off the site.
§ 277.214. Measurement and inspection of waste.
(a) An operator of a construction/demolition 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 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 shall accurately measure waste by volume or weight prior to unloading.
§ 277.215. 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 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 its permit conditions.
§ 277.216. 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. Construction/demolition waste shall be unloaded only in unloading areas designated in the approved permit.
(c) Construction/demolition waste shall be spread and compacted in shallow layers sufficient to minimize void spaces during placement of lifts.
(d) The working face shall be kept to a size which can be easily compacted.
§ 277.217. Air resources protection.
(a) The operator shall implement fugitive air contaminant control measures and otherwise prevent and control air pollution under the Air Pollution Control Act (35 P. S. §§ 4001--4014), Article III (relating to air resources) and § 277.218 (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 the exceeding of 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).
§ 277.218. 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 § 277.136 (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 § 277.136 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.
§ 277.221. Daily volume.
(a) A person or municipality operating a construction/demolition 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.
§ 277.222. Radiation monitoring and response.
(a) An operator shall implement the action plan approved under § 277.140 (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 § 277.231. (Reserved).
§ 277.232. Intermediate cover and slopes.
(a) The operator shall provide intermediate cover on lifts every 50 feet horizontally or at the end of each working week, whichever comes first, by placing a compact and uniform cover on the working face and on the side slopes. Nonfriable asbestos containing waste shall be covered within 24 hours after depositing with at least 6 inches of nonasbestos containing cover material.
(b) The composition of the intermediate cover material shall meet the following performance standards. The intermediate cover shall:
(1) Cover solid waste after it is placed without change in its properties and without regard to weather.
(2) Be capable of allowing loaded vehicles to successfully maneuver over it after placement.
(3) Be capable of controlling fires.
(4) Be consistent with the waste acceptance plan for the facility.
(5) Stabilize the filled area.
(6) Control infiltration of precipitation and erosion and sedimentation.
(7) Be capable of supporting the germination and propagation of vegetative cover as required by §§ 277.234 and 277.235 (relating to vegetation; and standards for successful revegetation) unless vegetative cover is not necessary to control infiltration of precipitation and erosion and sedimentation.
(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, be at least 12 inches in thickness.
(2) If soil or soil-like material is used, the layer shall be uniformly graded.
(d) A 2-week supply of cover material shall be maintained onsite.
(e) If intermediate cover requires vegetation to meet the performance standards in subsection (b), the vegetation shall be established within 30 days.
(f) Slopes constructed during daily landfilling activities may not exceed 50%.
§ 277.233. Final cover and grading.
(a) The operator shall provide final cover in the following manner:
(1) A cap shall be placed and graded 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.
(4) For a construction/demolition waste landfill permitted prior to December 23, 2000, that does not have a liner, the Department may waive or modify the cap and 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 a violation of this article, the act or the environmental protection acts. For a construction/demolition waste landfill constructed with attenuating soil and permitted prior to December 23, 2000, or for an expansion of a landfill under § 277.110 (relating to modification to expand existing landfill), the Department may waive the final cover requirements in subsection (a) when the approved postclosure land use makes a cap and drainage layer unnecessary.
(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 I in § 277.255 (relating to liners) 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) Be capable of allowing loaded vehicles to successfully maneuver over it after placement.
(2) Be capable of controlling fires.
(3) Be capable of supporting the germination and propogation of vegetative cover as required by §§ 277.234 and 277.235 (relating to revegetation; and standards for successful revegetation).
(4) Ensure slope stability.
(e) Unless alternative design requirements to meet 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 of 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 in 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 § 277.241. 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 construction/demolition waste landfill shall be operated to prevent and control surface and groundwater water pollution. An operator shall operate and maintain necessary surface and groundwater treatment facilities until surface or groundwater pollution from or on the facility has been permanently abated.
(c) The operator may not cause or allow water pollution within or outside of the site from operation of the facility.
§ 277.245. Water supply replacement.
(a) A person or municipality operating a construction/demolition 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, 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 the applicable provisions of 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 § 277.251. Scope and requirements.
(a) A person or municipality operating a construction/demolition waste landfill, other than a construction/demolition waste landfill constructed with attenuating soil and permitted prior to December 23, 2000, or for an expansion of a landfill under § 277.122 (relating to modification to expand existing landfill), shall design, construct, operate and maintain a liner system for disposal areas of the facility or components thereof under this section and §§ 277.252--277.260 (relating to liner system).
(b) The liner system shall consist of the following elements:
(1) Subbase, which is the prepared layer of soil or earthen material upon which the remainder of the liner system is constructed.
(2) Leachate detection zone, which is the prepared layer placed on top of the subbase and upon which the liner is placed, and in which a leachate detection system is located.
(3) Liner, which is a continuous layer of remolded clay or synthetic material placed on the leachate detection zone.
(4) Protective cover and leachate collection zone, which is a prepared layer placed over the liner in which a leachate collection system is located.
§ 277.252. 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 groundwater 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 public or private water supply, even if a replacement supply is available under § 277.245 (relating to water supply replacement). The drainage system shall be limited to drain tile, piping and french drains.
(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.
§ 277.253. 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%.
§ 277.254. 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 subbase and the liner more permeable than 1 x 10 -2 cm./sec. based on 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. 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.
(5) The leachate detection zone shall have a minimum bottom slope of 2%.
(6) 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 and chlorides. The Department may also require sampling and analyses for other constituents expected to be found in the waste.
(4) Provide written copies of the flow and analysis data to the Department.
(e) If leachate flow is greater than 100 gallons per acre of lined collection area per day or more than 10% of leachate generation, the operator shall:
(1) Submit to the Department a plan within 30 days 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 § 277.284(1) (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.
§ 277.255. Liner.
(a) The liner shall meet the following standards of performance:
(1) The liner shall prevent the migration of leachate through the liner to the greatest degree that is technologically possible.
(2) The effectiveness of the 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 liner shall be resistant to physical failure, chemical failure and other failure from the sources identified under § 277.161(d) (relating to liner system and leachate control plan).
(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 liner shall meet, at a minimum, the requirements of the table in subsection (f).
(c) A liner shall:
(1) Be no more permeable than 1 x 10 -7 cm./sec. based on laboratory and field testing.
(2) For synthetic liners, be installed according to manufacturer's specifications under the supervision of an authorized representative of the manufacturer. An approved assurance and quality control program shall be implemented in the field during the installation of the liner.
(3) For remolded clay liners, be designed, installed and maintained according to a quality assurance and quality control plan approved by the Department.
(4) Be inspected for uniformity, damage and imperfections during construction and installation.
(d) 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) The operator may design, construct, operate and maintain a composite liner.
(1) The liner shall have 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 lower component made of earthen material that meets the requirements of this section independently of the upper component.
(2) The two components of the composite liner shall be designed, constructed and maintained to provide a compression connection, or direct continuous contact, between them.
(f) A facility or a component thereof that is subject to this chapter may not have a liner based upon natural attenuation of leachate.
TABLE I
MINIMUM LINER DESIGN STANDARDS
Minimum Field Liner Material Function Thickness
(Units as Specified)Liner Density
(Tests as Specified)Remarks Geosynthetic Liner,
Cap30 mil
30 milNA 1. A greater thickness may be required depending upon the recommendations of the manufacturer. 2. HDPE liners shall be at least 60 mil. Natural &
Remolded ClayLiner,
Cap
Composite
Component2 feet
1 foot
2 feet
90%*
90%*
>=90%*
1. Minimum of 30% fines by weight less than 0.074 mm particle size (#200 sieve).
2. Plasticity index.
3. No coarse fragments greater than 3/4 inch in diameter.Sodium
Bentonite &
Bentonite-
like materialsLiner,
Cap
Composite
Component1 foot
1 foot
1 foot>=90%*
>=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
Component
N/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).
§ 277.256. 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.
(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, 1x10-2 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.
§ 277.257. 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 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%.
§ 277.259. Noncoal mine disposal.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of § 277.252 (relating to general limitations) relating to disposal above the seasonal highwater table, perched water table and regional groundwater table, the Department may issue a permit for an expansion of a construction/demolition waste landfill in an abandoned noncoal mine permitted prior to December 23, 2000.
(b) In addition to other applicable requirements, a person or municipality that operates a construction/demolition waste landfill in an abandoned noncoal mine shall:
(1) Pump and treat leachate and groundwater from the facility, and treat the leachate and groundwater to the extent required by The Clean Streams Law (35 P. S. §§ 691.1--691.1001) and regulations thereunder, until the leachate and the facility are no longer capable of causing surface water or groundwater pollution.
(2) Minimize the inflow of surface water and groundwater to the facility, including measures such as grouting of fractures or fault zones.
(3) Use and maintain collection piping, wetwell and pumps that have a safety factor of 2, and provide redundant piping and pumping systems.
(4) Use daily cover materials that will preclude the perching of leachate and lateral channeling within the landfill.
(5) Restore the site of its approximate original contour.
(6) Not operate the landfill in a limestone or carbonate rock quarry.
(7) Comply with the applicable provisions of the Noncoal Surface Mining and Conservation Act (52 P. S. §§ 3301--3326).
LEACHATE TREATMENT § 277.272. Basic treatment methods.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, leachate shall be collected and handled by direct discharge into a permitted publicly owned treatment works, following pretreatment, if pretreatment is required by Federal, State or local law or by discharge into another permitted treatment facility.
(b) Leachate may be collected and handled by onsite treatment and discharge into a receiving stream under a permit issued by the Department under The Clean Streams Law (35 P. S. §§ 691.1--691.1001) and regulations thereunder, if the Department approves this method in a construction/demolition waste landfill permit. This method will not be allowed unless, at a minimum, direct discharge into a publicly-owned treatment works or other permitted treatment facility is not practicable.
(c) Leachate may be collected and handled by spray irrigation following treatment. This method will not be allowed unless, at a minimum:
(1) Discharge into a publicly-owned treatment works or other permitted treatment facility is not practicable.
(2) Discharge of treated leachate into a receiving stream in a manner consistent with The Clean Streams Law and regulations thereunder is not attainable.
(3) Spray irrigation will not cause groundwater pollution.
§ 277.274. Leachate recirculation.
In conjunction with the treatment methods in §§ 277.272 and 277.273 (relating to basic treatment methods; and leachate transportation) recirculation of leachate may be utilized if the following conditions exist:
(1) The area subject to leachate recirculation previously has been filled with solid waste.
(2) There is sufficient municipal waste capacity to absorb the leachate.
(3) The area subject to leachate recirculation is underlain by a leachate collection system.
(4) The leachate recirculation is conducted with an approved piping system located under the intermediate cover, and causes no odors, runoff or ponding.
(5) The leachate is not a hazardous waste.
§ 277.275. Leachate collection and storage.
(a) Impoundments or tanks for storing leachate before or during treatment shall be constructed under §§ 285.122--285.124 (relating to storage tanks; impoundments--general; and impoundments--failure).
(b) An onsite leachate storage system shall be part of each leachate treatment method used by the operator. The storage system shall contain impoundments or tanks for storage of leachate. The tanks or impoundments shall have sufficient storage capacity at least equal to the maximum expected production of leachate for any 30-day period for the life of the facility estimated under § 277.162 (relating to leachate treatment plan) or 250,000 gallons, whichever is greater. No more than 25% of the total leachate storage capacity may be used for flow equalization on a regular basis.
(c) The impoundments or tanks shall be aerated as necessary to prevent and control odors. Impoundments or tanks shall each have a capacity of at least 250,000 gallons, unless otherwise approved by the Department.
(d) The storage capacity of impoundments and tanks at a site shall be increased if additional storage is required prior to each major phase of construction and as otherwise necessary.
(e) Leachate storage capacity may not be considered to include leachate that may have collected in or on the liner system.
(f) Necessary collection and containment systems shall be installed prior to the deposition of solid waste at the site. A leachate treatment or handling system approved by the Department under § 277.162 shall be installed or ready for use prior to the storage or disposal of solid waste at the site.
(g) For a facility permitted after December 23, 2000, underground pipes used for the transport of leachate from the liner system to the leachate storage impoundments or tanks shall be equipped with secondary containment or comply with § 245.445 (relating to methods for release detection for piping). Secondary containment shall be designed, constructed and installed to direct any release to an area that can be inspected for leaks.
§ 277.276. Leachate analysis and sludge handling.
(a) Upon commencement of leachate flow from the facility, the operator shall sample and analyze the following:
(1) On a daily basis, the average flow rate and volume of leachate flowing from the landfill into the leachate storage and treatment system.
(2) On a quarterly basis, the chemical composition of leachate flowing into the leachate treatment system. The analysis shall be sufficient to determine the impact of leachate on the liner system, the effectiveness of the leachate treatment system, the need for modification of the groundwater monitoring system or the effluent limitations in an NPDES permit and the actual characteristics of leachate from the waste disposed at the facility. For the purpose of this quarterly analysis, the leachate sample shall be collected from the influent storage tank or impoundment and shall be representative of the average mixed influent quality.
(b) Sludges resulting from the treatment of leachate may be disposed at the facility if the sludges are not hazardous under Article VII (relating to hazardous waste management).
§ 277.277. Departmental notice and remedial action.
The operator shall immediately notify the Department and describe remedial steps to be taken whenever:
(1) Operation of the treatment facility in accordance with the approved plan cannot prevent violation of the terms of its permits, The Clean Streams Law (35 P. S. §§ 691.1--691.1001) or the regulations thereunder.
(2) The facility is generating a quality or quantity of leachate that exceeds the design capacity of the onsite pretreatment or treatment system.
(3) The contractual agreement for leachate treatment by an offsite treatment system is breached or expired.
(4) The quality or quantity of waste being disposed at the site changes from that set forth in the permit.
WATER QUALITY MONITORING § 277.281. General requirements.
(a) A person or municipality that operates a construction/demolition waste landfill shall install, operate and maintain a monitoring system that can detect the entry of solid waste, solid waste constituents, leachate, contaminants or constituents of decomposition into the groundwater or surface water. The monitoring system shall comply with this section and §§ 277.282--277.288.
(b) A person or municipality may not construct, install or use a monitoring system for a construction/demolition waste landfill until that system has first been approved by the Department, in writing.
§ 277.282. Number, location and depth of monitoring points.
(a) The water quality monitoring system shall accurately characterize groundwater flows, groundwater chemistry and flow systems on the site and adjacent area. The system shall consist, at a minimum, of the following:
(1) At least one monitoring well at a point hydraulically upgradient from the disposal area in the direction of increasing static head that is capable of providing representative data of groundwater not affected by the facility, except when the facility occupies the most upgradient position in the flow system. In that case, sufficient downgradient monitoring wells shall be placed to determine the extent of adverse effects on groundwater from the facility.
(2) At least three monitoring wells at points hydraulically downgradient in the direction of decreasing static head from the area in which solid waste has been or will be disposed. In addition to three downgradient wells, the Department may allow one or more springs for monitoring points if the springs are hydraulically downgradient from the area in which solid waste has been or will be disposed, if the springs are developed and protected in a manner approved by the Department, and if the springs otherwise meet the requirements of this subchapter.
(3) A leachate detection system for the disposal area, when it is required by §§ 277.251 and 277.254 (relating to scope and requirements; and leachate detection zone).
(4) A leachate collection system for the disposal area, when it is required by § 277.251 and § 277.257 (relating to leachate collection system within protective cover).
(5) Surface water monitoring points approved by the Department.
(b) The upgradient and downgradient monitoring wells shall be:
(1) Sufficient in number, location and depth to be representative of water quality.
(2) Located so as not to interfere with routine facility operations.
(3) Located within 200 feet of the permitted disposal area and located at the points of compliance.
(c) In addition to the requirements of subsection (b), upgradient monitoring wells shall be located so that they will not be affected by adverse effect on groundwater from the disposal area.
(d) In addition to the requirements of subsection (b), downgradient monitoring wells shall be located so that they will provide early detection of adverse effect on groundwater from the disposal area.
(e) Wells drilled under this section shall be drilled by drillers licensed under the Water Well Drillers License Act (32 P. S. §§ 645.1--645.13).
(f) The well materials shall be decontaminated prior to installation.
§ 277.283. Standards for wells and casing of wells.
(a) A monitoring well shall be constructed with a screen that meets the following requirements:
(1) The screen shall be factory-made.
(2) The screen may not react with the groundwater being monitored.
(3) The screen shall maximize open area to minimize entrance velocities and allow rapid sample recovery.
(b) A monitoring well shall be filter-packed with chemically inert clean quartz sand, silica or glass beads. The material shall be well-rounded and dimensionally stable.
(c) A monitoring well shall be cased as follows:
(1) The casing shall maintain the integrity of the monitoring well borehole and shall be constructed of material that will not react with the groundwater being monitored.
(2) The minimum casing diameter shall be 4 inches unless otherwise approved by the Department in writing.
(3) The casing shall protrude at least 1 foot aboveground, unless otherwise approved by the Department, and shall be clearly visible.
(4) The casing shall be designed and constructed in a manner that prevents cross contamination between surface water and groundwater.
(5) The annular space above the sampling depth shall be sealed to prevent contamination of samples and the groundwater.
(6) If plastic casing is used, it shall be threaded and gasket sealed to preclude potential sample contamination from solvent welded joints, unless otherwise provided by the Department in the permit.
(7) Alternative casing designs for wells in stable formations may be approved by the Department.
(d) A monitoring well casing shall be enclosed in a protective casing that shall:
(1) Be of sufficient strength to protect the well from damage by heavy equipment and vandalism.
(2) Be installed for at least the upper 10 feet of the monitoring well, as measured from the well cap with a maximum stick up of 3 feet, unless otherwise approved by the Department in writing.
(3) Be grouted and placed with a cement collar at least 3 feet deep to hold it firmly in position.
(4) Be numbered for identification with a label capable of withstanding field conditions and painted in a highly visible color.
(5) Protrude above the monitoring well casing.
(6) Have a locked cap.
(7) Be made of steel or other material of equivalent strength.
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