18-Env-A6 Solid Waste Engineering and Management · May 2014
Nivaar worked solution (AI-drafted; not reviewed by a licensed engineer)
Reference texts: Tchobanoglous, Theisen & Vigil, Integrated Solid Waste Management: Engineering Principles and Management Issues; Vesilind, Worrell & Reinhart, Solid Waste Engineering; Davis & Cornwell, Introduction to Environmental Engineering (6th ed.); CCME, Guidance Document on Landfill Gas Management; Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.
Question text not reproduced: the examination questions are © Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Open the official past paper (linked at the top of this page) to read the question, then follow the worked solution below.
Geology and hydrogeology — low-permeability native soils, depth to groundwater, and distance to any aquifer used for drinking water, all of which govern the site's natural (secondary) containment. Land-use compatibility and buffer distances — separation from residences, private wells, surface water bodies, floodplains and airports (bird-strike hazard). Site capacity and topography — sufficient volume/depth for an adequate design life, and grading that supports stable final slopes and stormwater control. Traffic and access — haul distance from the principal waste-generation centres and the capacity of the existing road network to absorb collection-vehicle traffic. Regulatory and zoning constraints — provincial Environmental Management Act (or equivalent) approvals, environmental assessment requirements, and consultation obligations with First Nations and neighbouring jurisdictions. Public acceptance and social factors — likely community opposition, and nuisance potential (odour, dust, noise, visual impact) on surrounding land uses. Cost — land acquisition, construction (liner, leachate and gas systems), and the full lifetime of operating, closure and post-closure costs, compared across candidate sites.
