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8 June 06 Castletown Landfill Site, Caithness - Update - 8 June 2006 Officials of The Highland Council have confirmed that, to date, levels of gas measured at the ex-landfill site at Castletown do not constitute a risk to neighbouring premises. Over the last two months works have been carried out to allow the measurement of methane and carbon dioxide within the former landfill and establish whether these gases are present at the southern boundary of the site. As a further precautionary measure, tests will be carried out over the next four months to establish that gas generation in the landfill is not influenced by seasonal weather conditions. Once this work is completed a further risk assessment will be carried out. However, the Council is encouraged by the initial results and believes it is unlikely that tests will be required to be carried out in neighbouring homes or businesses. Ian Hargrave, the Council's Area Manager for Caithness, told residents: "I should emphasise that the Council is carrying this work out in the interest of public safety and that the investigation works are precautionary. Residents and businesses within Castletown will continue to be advised of any developments as the monitoring programme progresses." Should you have any queries regarding the nature or extent of the monitoring works please contact the contaminated Land Team on 01463 702742.
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March 06 Works seek to measure the generation of gases (methane and carbon dioxide) within the landfill, and establish whether these gases are present at the southern boundary of the landfill site. From this information a risk assessment will be carried out by specialist consultants to establish whether there may be risks to neighbouring properties. The works will consist of the construction of approximately 30 gas monitoring boreholes across the landfill site. These will be constructed using a mechanical drill powered by a small generator. The borehole installation works should take approximately four weeks to complete. Monitoring will commence during this installation phase and continue for approximately three months following completion of the works. A provisional report on the monitoring is expected from the consultants in mid May. Ian Hargrave, The Highland Council�s Area Manager for Caithness, told residents: "I should emphasise that The Highland Council is carrying this work out in the interest of public safety and that the investigation works are precautionary. Gas generation may not be occurring on site. I can assure you that I will continue to advise you of any developments as the works progress." Residents with any queries should contact the Contaminated Land Team on Freephone 0800 838 009. This number will be staffed from 9 am � 5 pm Monday � Friday. 22 February 06 Work is due to start on 16 March and continue for eight weeks. Monitoring will continue, initially, for a period of three months. Test bore holes will be drilled on the perimeter of the landfill site. As soon as the results are known, the Council will again contact residents and businesses. In a letter to residents, Mr Ian Hargrave, The Highland Council's Area Manager for Caithness, wrote: "I should emphasise that The Highland Council is carrying this work out in the interest of public safety and that the investigation works are precautionary and gas generation may not be occurring on site. Residents and businesses within Castletown will continue to be advised of any developments as the works progress. If gases are found to be moving from the landfill site, monitoring will then need to be carried out in properties close to the landfill." Residents with any query should contact the Contaminated Land Team on Freephone 0800 838 009. This number will be staffed until 9 pm tonight (Tuesday) and from 9.00 am - 5.00 pm Monday - Friday. Mr Hargrave said the Council had a duty to investigate land which may be contaminated and ensure that any necessary remediation is carried out. The landfill was operated by the former Caithness County and District Councils from the 1970s until closure in the late 1980s. Monitoring on the landfill in the 1990s did not show gas being generated. Gas generation within landfills depended on a number of factors, which included the composition and volume of waste deposited, the site hydrology, and the age of the landfill. He added: "Since monitoring was carried out in the 1990s there have been improvements in the techniques in landfill gas monitoring and procedures for assessing gas problems. We are planning to carry out investigation works to assess if gases (methane and carbon dioxide) are being generated in the landfill and whether they are moving towards the town. Landfill gases present a risk if they are confined within enclosed spaces such as holes in the ground, rooms or spaces in buildings, cellars and service ducts." Letter Issued By
Highland Council To Castletown Residents Near The Site Dear Resident FORMER Landfill SITE, Castletown The Highland Council is preparing to carry out an investigation of gas generation at the former landfill site at Castletown. We have a duty to investigate land which may be contaminated and ensure that any necessary remediation is carried out. The landfill was operated by the former Caithness County and District Councils from the 1970s until closure in the late 1980s. Gas generation within landfills is dependent on a number of factors, which includes the composition and volume of waste deposited, the site hydrology, and the age of the landfill. Monitoring on the landfill in the 1990s did not show gas being generated. Since monitoring was carried out in the 1990s there have been improvements in the techniques in landfill gas monitoring and procedures for assessing gas problems. We are planning to carry out investigation works to assess if gases (methane and carbon dioxide) are being generated in the landfill and whether they are moving towards the town. Landfill gases present a risk if they are confined within enclosed spaces such as holes in the ground, rooms or spaces in buildings, cellars and service ducts. Site works will commence on Thursday 16 March 2006 and will continue for an estimated eight weeks. Monitoring will continue initially for a period of 3 months. I should emphasise that The Highland Council is carrying this work out in the interest of public safety and that the investigation works are precautionary and gas generation may not be occurring on site. Residents and businesses within Castletown will continue to be advised of any developments as the works progress. If gases are found to be moving from the landfill site, monitoring will then need to be carried out in properties close to the landfill. Should you have any queries regarding the nature or extent of the monitoring works please contact the Contaminated Land Team on Freephone 0800 838 009. This number will be staffed until 9.00 pm tonight (Tuesday) and from 9 am � 5 pm Monday � Friday. Yours sincerely Ian Hargrave |
