New gas extraction system examined at Burwood Landfill
4 September 2003
The design for a gas extraction system aimed to alleviate neighbourhood
concerns about odour from the Burwood Landfill is being commissioned by
the City Council, says the City Council City Water and Waste Manager, Mike
Stockwell.
It is proposed that gas will be pumped out of the landfill through vertical
suction wells and piped to flares to be burnt off. Stage One of the project
will cost about $800,000 but could be expanded to a more comprehensive gas
extraction system costing up to $6m.
Mr Stockwell says the driver for the Stage One work is neighbourhood concern
at odours from the landfill which the Council believes are caused by landfill
gas, not refuse. The gas is not a health hazard when diluted by air, but
the Council is responding to local concern.
If Stage Two proves viable, rather than flaring off the gas, it would be
channelled to generators from which energy would be sold back to the main
city grid. It is possible that the Council would enter a joint venture with
industry to develop Stage Two on a commercial basis.
Mr Stockwell says Stage One could be commissioned around March, 2004.
The Council's consultants for the project are URS New Zealand Ltd.
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