North Frontenac waste sites in good shape, says consultant

Craig Bakay | Mar 14, 2018

Other than a few “minor administrative issues,” North Frontenac Township’s waste disposal sites are in good shape, Cabium Inc.’s David Bucholtz told Council at its regular meeting in Plevna last Friday.

“Aesthetically, they look fantastic,” he said. “The Township does a great job.”

Cabium is contracted to the Township to collect the required groundwater, surface water and landfill gas samples, complete updated topographic surveys, collect operational information and summarize its findings in an annual report to the Ministry of the Environment.

The Township operates four active landfills (506, Kashwakamak, Mississippi and Plevna) as well as two transfer sites (Ompah and Cloyne). It is also responsible for two closed sites (Ferleigh and Gull Lake) as well as the Ardoch site, which is temporarily closed but still has 30,000 cubic metres of capacity left.

Perhaps the best news is that overall, the municipality is predicted to have 38 years of capacity left (134,525 cubic metres).

But that didn’t seem all that comforting to some councilors.

“That’s wonderful, but we are driving towards a cliff,” said Coun. John Inglis.

“Can other municipalities apply to dump their garbage in our sites?” asked Coun. Gerry Martin.

“Not that I’m aware of,” said Bucholtz. “But we are engaged with the County and all four Townships to look at creative possibilities.

“The diversion of organics for bio-gas is one and everybody wants to know about incineration.”

“There’s an opportunity to make money here,” said Dep. Mayor Fred Perry. “All cruise ships have them.”

“There are two municipalities using incineration that we’re aware of,” said Bucholtz. “But to do that you need assets and training to keep it going.

“But with the Waste-Free Ontario Act, there are opportunities for organics and bio-fuels and the possibilities to sell cap and trade credits.”