Aerial Emissions Control for Maghtab, Qortin and Wied Fulija Landfills
What is this project about?
Background to the project
The solid waste disposal sites at Maghtab, Qortin and Wied Fulija were
developed at a time when the full environmental impact of such
operations was unknown. As a result, the Maltese islands were left with
landfill sites that have no system in place to control landfill
leachate or gas.
In
such sites, waste was left to degrade in aerobic conditions,
although anaerobic decay has also been taking place locally. Due to
this, typical landfill gas (especially methane) concentrations are low,
and carbon monoxide concentrations and gas temperatures are relatively
high. Other gas and emissions associated with waste combustion are also
being released to atmosphere in an uncontrolled manner.
This Aerial Emissions Control project was therefore necessary
to reduce the potential human health and environmental impacts of these
sites and raise the environmental standards associated with waste
management in Malta.
This project is being executed in line with the Solid Waste Management Strategy for the Maltese Islands (October 2001) .
Objective of the project
As an immediate intervention, this
project aimed to implement an aerial emissions control programme and
initial rehabilitation of three landfill sites: Maghtab, Qortin
and Wied Fulija.
This project involves setting up systems to
capture and treat those landfill gases which are currently released
into the atmosphere, thereby reducing emissions by 50%.
When
these systems become operational, they will contribute to the
minimisation of odours and the treatment of harmful components in the
gas before it can escape into the atmosphere. The active extraction,
collection, and treatment of landfill gases will minimise the negative
impacts on air quality and consequently minimise the potential negative
health hazards.
Project Description
This project consists of the:
Closure and initial phase of rehabilitation of the uncontrolled
landfills at Maghtab, Qortin and Wied Fulija. Some waste recontouring
will be required to allow access to all parts of the sites, necessary
for the installation of the control systems;
Introduction of the environmental measures necessary to enable the
landfills to be fully rehabilitated and brought back to beneficial use
at a future date;
Accelerate the stabilisation of waste masses to inhibit the potential generation of contaminants;
Immediate minimisation of aerial emissions generated at the
landfill sites so to be reduced to the EU standards (reduction of
emissions by 50%);
Ensure compliance with all national and EU legislation, particularly with regard to waste management and environmental control.
At some time in the future, when the environmental impacts are reduced
and it is considered safe, the sites will be fully rehabilitated. This
will involve recontouring of the whole area and the placement of soils
and landscape planting.
Who is benefiting?
Maltese citizens in general
How much is being allocated to the project?
€ 10,398,326
How is the project progressing?
Following a lengthy tender evaluation process, the contract for the
rehabilitation of the closed, formerly uncontrolled landfills has been
signed. The signatories are the Department of Contracts on behalf of
Wasteserv Malta Ltd. as final beneficiary and consortium JV
Haase/Vassallo as Contractors. The supervision of the project has been
outsourced to Scott Wilson and Kirkpatrick Co plc.
In the meantime, the preparation works of the closed landfills
have advanced significantly and are planned to be completed by the
first week of August 2006. This part of project, known as the Enabling
Works is fully funded by the Maltese government and the work has been
entrusted to Messrs Bonnici Brothers Ltd. An extensive environmental
monitoring scheme is also being conducted at the same time as
construction works in order to ensure there are no adverse impacts on
the surrounding environment, site workers and nearby residents, caused
by the construction of this control system. This will also enable the
identification and rectification of any potential hazards at an early
stage.
Structural Funds Programme for Malta 2004-2006.
Project part-financed by the European Union - European Regional Development Fund.
Co-financing rate: 75% EU:25% Government of Malta.
