Section 289.513. Leachate treatment plan

(a) An application shall contain a plan for leachate treatment from the proposed facility that complies with § § 289.551—289.557 (relating to additional operating requirements—leachate treatment). The plan shall include the following:

(1) An estimate of the quality and quantity of leachate to be produced annually by the facility, based on the water balance method set forth in ‘‘Use of Water Balance Method for Predicting Leachate Generation from Solid Waste Disposal Sites’’ EPA SW-168 (1975), (available through the Department or the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), United States Department of Commerce, Springfield, VA. 22161), or another method of accurately projecting leachate flows that is approved by the Department, in writing. The estimate shall include the 30-day leachate volume and average flow rate for each month of the year. A separate estimate shall be submitted for anticipated leachate generation at the end of 5-year increments of operation for 20 years, or until closure, whichever date is earlier. For existing facilities, current leachate generation shall be included with this separate estimate.

(2) Plans, designs and cross sections for the proposed collection and handling system.

(3) Plans, designs and cross sections for onsite leachate treatment or disposal systems, including tanks and impoundments that are proposed to be used or constructed for storage, pretreatment or treatment of leachate from the facility.

(4) If an onsite treatment system already in operation is proposed to treat leachate from the facility, a description of the system, including its NPDES permit number, its capability to treat leachate from the facility and its compliance status under The Clean Streams Law and regulations thereunder.

(b) If interim vehicular transportation to an offsite treatment facility is proposed, the applicant shall:

(1) Provide a copy of a signed contractual agreement with the operator of a primary offsite facility that provides for treatment of leachate at the facility, and which covers the period of time that offsite treatment will be provided; or provide a signed letter of intent from the operator of the offsite facility to enter a contractual agreement for leachate treatment if the permit application is approved by the Department.

(2) Provide a copy of a signed contractual agreement with the operator of a second offsite treatment facility that provides for backup treatment of leachate at the second treatment facility if leachate cannot be treated by the primary treatment facility operator; or provide a signed letter of intent from the operator of the second offsite facility to enter a contractual agreement if the permit application is approved by the Department.

(3) Submit additional bond to the Department in an amount sufficient to pay for the cost of vehicular transportation and offsite leachate treatment until final closure, if the disposal impoundment operator fails to provide offsite treatment in a manner that is consistent with the permit, the act and this chapter.

(4) Submit plans, designs and cross sections for an onsite pretreatment facility as required by § 289.553(b)(1) (relating to leachate transportation).

(c) If recirculation of raw or pretreated leachate is proposed in conjunction with another method, the application shall describe the following:

(1) The proposed leachate distribution method over the filled area, including designs and cross sections.

(2) The methods that will be used to prevent leachate seeps and breakouts.

(3) The methods that will be used to prevent odors, runoff and ponding.

(4) The impact that recirculation of the leachate will have on the solidification of waste at the impoundment.

(d) The application shall also contain a schedule and method for cleaning sludges from the leachate storage and treatment system, and a plan for disposing of the sludges.

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 289.511 (relating to general requirements); 25 Pa. Code § 289.514 (relating to modifications of leachate treatment plan); and 25 Pa. Code § 289.555 (relating to leachate collection and storage).