Section 289.437. 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) The protective cover shall 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 § 287.231 (relating to equivalency review procedure), the protective cover shall meet the following design requirements. The protective cover shall be:

(1) Comprised of clean earthen 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) Graded, uniformly compacted and smooth.

(3) As permeable as, or more permeable than, 1.0 x 10-2 cm/sec. based on laboratory testing, and shall allow the free flow of liquids and leachate passing through or generated by solid waste. Field testing shall also be conducted if required by the Department.

(4) At least 18 inches thick.

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 287.114 (relating to interim operational requirements for unpermitted processing or disposal facilities); 25 Pa. Code § 287.116 (relating to interim operational requirements); 25 Pa. Code § 289.412 (relating to liner system and leachate control plan); 25 Pa. Code § 289.421 (relating to basic limitations); 25 Pa. Code § 289.431 (relating to scope and requirements); and 25 Pa. Code § 299.144 (relating to operating requirements).