Dive Brief:
- Methane leaks from the closed Kentwood Landfill in Michigan have raised concerns about the flammable gas potentially building up in structures around the area, including 150 residences, as reported by M Live.
- Kent County recently drilled 11 monitoring wells that detected methane at depths of up to 50 feet. Concentrations in the well were above flammability levels, but tests in public buildings next to the site didn't find any gas and the county has said residents don't face any significant risk.
- Residents living within 1,500 feet of the landfill's western border will receive notices in the mail. Kent County's public works department will hold a meeting next week and is also offering on-site methane testing.
Dive Insight:
When passive venting proved unsuccessful years ago, officials moved to a system that extracts the methane and burns it off. The county estimates the existing collection system cost $500,000 and anticipates the possibility of spending another $300,000 to expand it. As of this year, Kent County residents pay a $1.68 annual fee to help cover maintenance at Kentwood and other closed landfills.
Local station 24 Hour News 8 reported that some local residents didn't know they lived near a closed landfill, showing a need for increased awareness around waste issues. Earlier this year, public works officials warned that their existing landfill is running out of space and urged residents to recycle more. A study found that 75% of the waste being sent to the landfill could have been recycled.
