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This is the ninth edition of our weekly update, which provides updates on actions being taken to address odour issues at Withyhedge Landfill in Pembrokeshire.
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In late May Natural Resources Wales (NRW) regulatory officers undertook an audit of the landfill gas management system at Withyhedge Landfill, which collects and treats landfill gas.
The interim findings indicate that the system has limited resilience and is struggling following increases in the volume of landfill gas being collected.
The improvements in capping and installation of gas extraction infrastructure have resulted in a significant uplift in the volume of gas being collected. At times this has led to reliability issues with key gas treatment infrastructure.
NRW met with the Directors and representatives of RML (the landfill operator) last week to discuss these interim findings and options to improve the capacity and resilience of the gas management system. Another meeting is scheduled next week to progress the matter further.
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This week NRW has started static air quality monitoring at fixed locations in communities surrounding Withyhedge Landfill.
Jerome hydrogen sulphide monitors are in place to gather data that will allow the calculation of 24-hour average figures, as well as 30-minute averages. The locations for deployment are informed by predominant wind direction during the survey period.
Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) officers are working to ensure additional Air Monitoring equipment is in place at a location in Spittal week commencing 1 July 2024. They are liaising with the monitoring contractor to make sure the proposed site is suitable for the new equipment.
This additional monitoring equipment will enable PCC to provide regular reading results which will be shared on the PCC website and in future communications.
Public Health Wales (PHW) welcomes the planned installation of static air quality monitors by NRW and PCC. These will help PHW get a more detailed picture of the air quality in the area around Withyhedge.
In the meantime, PHW advice remains that residents should keep doors and windows closed when the smells are present, and to seek medical advice if they feel unwell.
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NRW is still receiving odour reports most days and continues to undertake odour assessments as part of its regulatory compliance assessment while waste acceptance is paused, and should the landfill resume waste disposal.
These assessments are driven by reports we receive from the public and therefore we urge people to continue reporting odours as soon as they experience them.
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