Landfill: Difference between revisions

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==Landfills in the UK==

~~Set~~ out the ~~criteria~~ for location - ~~geology~~, ~~hydrogeology~~, ~~historical context~~

The basic criteria for suitable landfill locations are set out in the Landfill Directive, which says in Annex 1:

''1.1 The location of a landfill must take into consideration requirements relating to:''

''(a) the distances from the boundary of the site to residential and recreation areas, waterways, water bodies and other agricultural or urban sites;''

''(b) the existence of groundwater, coastal water or nature protection zones in the area;''

''(c) the geological and hydrogeological conditions in the area;''

''(d) the risk of flooding, subsidence, landslides or avalanches on the site;''

''(e) the protection of the nature or cultural patrimony in the area.''

''1.2. The landfill can be authorised only if the characteristics of the site with respect to the abovementioned requirements, or the corrective measures to be taken, indicate that the landfill does not pose a serious environmental risk.''

These requirements are brought into UK guidance via various pieces of legislation and EA guidance, notably:

Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010

Regulatory Guidance Series, No LFD 1 - Understanding the Landfill Directive

Environmental Permitting Guidance - The Landfill Directive - For the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010

Groundwater protection: Principles and practice (GP3) as updated by The Environment Agency’s approach to groundwater protection.

In essence these policies rely upon a risk assessment of each proposed landfill location, set into the context of the site and whether or not it is within a Source Protection Zone (SPZ) for a protected groundwater abstraction or within a Major Aquifer (as defined by the EA). The relevant policy is as follows:

''The Environment Agency will normally object to any proposed landfill site in groundwater SPZ1.''

''For all other proposed landfill site locations, a risk assessment must be conducted based on the nature and quantity of the wastes and the natural setting and properties of the location.''

''Where this risk assessment demonstrates that active long-term site management is essential to prevent long-term groundwater pollution, the Environment Agency will object to sites:''

''• below the water table in any strata where the groundwater provides an important contribution to river flow, or other sensitive receptors''

''• within SPZ2 or 3''

''• on or in a principal aquifer''

Source Protection Zones are defined and determined by the EA as follows:

SPZ1 - also known as the Inner Zone - is any land within 50 days (groundwater) travel time from a groundwater source, with a minimum radius of 50 metres;

SPZ2 - also known as the Outer Zone - is any land within 400 days (groundwater) travel time from a groundwater source, with a minimum radius of 250 metres;

SPZ3 - also known as the Total Catchment - is defined as the area around a source within which all groundwater recharge is presumed to be discharged at the source.

The locations of SPZs are shown on the EA "what's in my backyard" page of their website.

Set out the sites in the UK and the location map of sites in the UK here?

==Landfill Management==

@@ Line 91: / Line 91: @@
 ==Landfills in the UK==
-Set out the criteria for location - geology, hydrogeology, historical context
+The basic criteria for suitable landfill locations are set out in the Landfill Directive, which says in Annex 1:
+''1.1 The location of a landfill must take into consideration requirements relating to:''<br>
+''(a) the distances from the boundary of the site to residential and recreation areas, waterways, water bodies and other agricultural or urban sites;''<br>
+''(b)	the existence of groundwater, coastal water or nature protection zones in the area;''<br>
+''(c)	the geological and hydrogeological conditions in the area;''<br>
+''(d)	the risk of flooding, subsidence, landslides or avalanches on the site;''<br>
+''(e)	the protection of the nature or cultural patrimony in the area.''<br>
+''1.2. The landfill can be authorised only if the characteristics of the site with respect to the abovementioned requirements, or the corrective measures to be taken, indicate that the landfill does not pose a serious environmental risk.''<br>
+<br>
+These requirements are brought into UK guidance via various pieces of legislation and EA guidance, notably:
+Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010
+Regulatory Guidance Series, No LFD 1 - Understanding the Landfill Directive<br>
+Environmental Permitting Guidance - The Landfill Directive - For the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010<br>
+Groundwater protection: Principles and practice (GP3) as updated by The Environment Agency’s approach to groundwater protection.<br>
+In essence these policies rely upon a risk assessment of each proposed landfill location, set into the context of the site and whether or not it is within a Source Protection Zone (SPZ) for a protected groundwater abstraction or within a Major Aquifer (as defined by the EA). The relevant policy is as follows:
+''The Environment Agency will normally object to any proposed landfill site in groundwater SPZ1.''<br>
+<br>
+''For all other proposed landfill site locations, a risk assessment must be conducted based on the nature and quantity of the wastes and the natural setting and properties of the location.''<br>
+<br>
+''Where this risk assessment demonstrates that active long-term site management is essential to prevent long-term groundwater pollution, the Environment Agency will object to sites:''<br><br>
+''• below the water table in any strata where the groundwater provides an important contribution to river flow, or other sensitive receptors''<br>
+''• within SPZ2 or 3''<br>
+''• on or in a principal aquifer''<br>
+<br>
+Source Protection Zones are defined and determined by the EA as follows:<br><br>
+SPZ1 - also known as the Inner Zone -  is any land within 50 days (groundwater) travel time from a groundwater source, with a minimum radius of 50 metres;<br>
+SPZ2 - also known as the Outer Zone -  is any land within 400 days (groundwater) travel time from a groundwater source, with a minimum radius of 250 metres;<br>
+SPZ3 - also known as the Total Catchment - is defined as the area around a source within which all groundwater recharge is presumed to be discharged at the source.<br>
+The locations of SPZs are shown on the EA "what's in my backyard" page of their website.
 Set out the sites in the UK and the location map of sites in the UK here?
 ==Landfill Management==