DEC Finalizes Consent Order with the Allied Waste Landfill for Odor Complaints

$75,000 Penalty Imposed and Operational Improvements Required

Allied Waste Niagara Falls Landfill in Niagara Falls, NY has been fined $75,000 after an investigation confirmed the landfill as the primary source of repeated sulfur and garbage-type odor complaints, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today. Under the terms of the Consent Order, the facility, located along I-190 and Niagara Falls Boulevard, must undertake specific actions to reduce or eliminate odors at the landfill.

"DEC continues to vigorously enforce New York's strict environmental rules and regulations to protect public health and the environment," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "This Order includes a lengthy list of requirements to address the numerous odor complaints from the public that DEC has tracked related to this facility."

In addition to the penalty imposed, DEC's Consent Order requires Allied Landfill to:

• Install and operate a gas collection and control system in the working face of the landfill and any future active landfill areas at the site;
• Operate flares to burn landfill gas at several locations on the landfill;
• Initiate a pilot project for treatment of landfill leachate to mitigate sulfur odors in wastewater prior to discharge to the sanitary sewer system;
• Revise the Odor Management Plan for the facility;
• Evaluate options for restricting the type of odor-causing waste material the landfill accepts for disposal;
• Perform a study of the gas emitted from the landfill to identify all potential air contaminant emissions to determine what additional controls should be installed at the landfill.

DEC encourages anyone with information on environmental crimes and violations are urged to call its 24-hour hotline, at 1-844-DEC-ECOs (1-844-332-3267). An Environmental Violation Online Form also is available on DEC's website.