 The
development of landfills is a highly regulated process. Both
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Planning Authority
(PA) assess the development proposal in the early stages. The
development is assessed for its suitability on environmental
grounds and in terms of its overall fit with County Development
and County Waste Management Plans.
 A
site is selected by means of a formalised site selection process.
Site selection is carried out in compliance with the Draft
EPA Site Selection Manual, County Development Plan, County
Waste Management Plan, the EU Landfill Directive and the Groundwater
Protection Schemes (EPA/DOELG/GSI, 1999). Some of the aspects
that are examined:
- Site Location
- Road Network
- Population Proximity
- Topography
- Cover Material
- Leachate Treatment
- Surface Water Protection
- Groundwater Protection
- Screening
 Permission
to develop is granted subject to conditions which are imposed
through a Waste Licence issued by the EPA and Planning Permission
issued by the PA.
When a development has obtained both a waste licence and planning
permission the development can proceed.
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Landfill Development
Sequence
Click on the diagram to enlarge it. |
Landfill construction involves the construction of lined
cells (into which the waste will be placed) and the supporting
infrastructure.
The lined cells are built in accordance with the EU Landfill directive and the EPA Landfill Design Manual. The lining may consists of a synthetic “plastic” layer overlain on re-engineered clay or clay enhanced layer.
 Supporting
infrastructure comprises of:
- Two weighbridges
- Administration buildings
- Surface Water Management System
- Leachate Management System
- Road works
- Sophisticated monitoring infrastructure
- Waste quarantine and inspection areas
- Gas management infrastructure
 The
construction phase is closely monitored to manage the impact
on the surrounding environment. Limits are placed on the dust
and noise that can be generated on site. The surface water
and ground water is also monitored. Sampling results are routinely
reported to the EPA.
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