The enormous amount of trash and debris that was collected and is still being collected in the aftermath of Typhoon Soudelor is rapidly filling up Saipan\u2019s landfill in Marpi.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, Cell 1 is almost at capacity,\u201d Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality administrator Frank Rabauliman told Saipan Tribune.<\/p>\n
The Department of Public Works, which manages the landfill, noted that the storm shortened the capacity of the cell, said Rabauliman.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe life of that cell, it was estimated that it\u2019s seven months out before it was filled, but now it has been shortened significantly,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to Rabauliman, DPW is now looking at using Cell 2.<\/p>\n
The landfill\u2019s Cell 1 and Cell 2 are both lined, but before Cell 2 can be utilized, safety measures must made for Cell 3\u2014which is unlined.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce they\u2019re using Cell 2, they\u2019ve got to be very careful because if leachate fills up at Cell 2, there\u2019s a risk that it would go to Cell 3, and Cell 3 is not lined, and it could percolate down to the ground water, which is the worst thing you want to see,\u201d Rabauliman said.<\/p>\n
Leachate is the liquid that percolates through a landfill and has picked up dissolved, suspended, and\/or microbial contaminants from the waste.<\/p>\n
\u201cBECQ wants to ensure that there is no leachate that would go from Cell 2 to the unlined Cell 3,\u201d Rabauliman said. \u201cThat leachate cannot go into an unlined area.\u201d<\/p>\n
To be able to use Cell 2, DPW would need to build a termination berm that would prevent leachate from going from Cell 2 to the unlined Cell 3, Rabauliman said.<\/p>\n
He said that DPW, through a change order, is working on the termination berm, which could be finished in about 60 to 90 days.<\/p>\n
However, lining Cell 3 would eventually need to be done, although funding would also be needed for that.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s needed that they line Cell 3 because at some point Cell 2 will be filled,\u201d Rabauliman said. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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