Rise in Large Gas Leaks at Dump Called a Good Sign

Lopez Canyon landfill has experienced more large methane gas leaks in June than in the previous five months, but Los Angeles city officials say the leaks are a good sign for the Lake View Terrace dump.

So far this month, city crews have reported 15 instances when escaping gases exceeded 500 parts per million, the level deemed too high by South Coast Air Quality Management District rules. Only 11 leaks of that magnitude were found during the previous five months, said John de la Rosa, manager of the city-owned landfill.

But all leaks were corrected within 24 hours of detection, thus sparing the city from being cited by the AQMD for violating emissions standards, De la Rosa said. The air quality agency recognizes that leaks occur and does not cite if they are promptly corrected.

Foul-smelling methane gas leaks were such a big problem at the landfill several years ago that they led to investigations and hearings by air quality officials as the city sought a permit to extend the life of the dump.

The city eventually won permission to dump an additional 4.2 million tons of garbage at the site over a five-year period, but also was required to pay $150,000 into a special hazardous waste fund in lieu of paying fines for its violations of air quality rules.

The difference today is that the city has installed a multimillion dollar gas collection network designed to gather the gas and burn it off before it leaks into the atmosphere, Deputy City Atty. Chris Westhoff said.

The increasing number of leaks in June is really an indication of how well the city is “tightening the lid” on the dump, Westhoff said.

As the city has made the surface of the landfill more impermeable, the generalized, low-grade leakage across the entire landfill has diminished and the leakage now being reported is popping out in high-pressure spots, Westhoff said.

The next phase is to get the gas collection system pumping at higher levels to draw off gases before they escape into the air, Westhoff said. The city is seeking AQMD permission to increase the collection system’s pumping capacity, he said.

Gayle Johnson, press deputy to vacationing Councilman Ernani Bernardi, said the office was unaware of the record of leaks in June.

But Johnson said Bernardi’s office, which fought the landfill expansion plan, has the “impression that odor complaints are down out there.”

“That’s the biggest thing--the decline in odor complaints,” Westhoff agreed.

Also, Westhoff said the AQMD has not cited the city for violating its methane emissions standards during the current year. Although the 500 p.p.m. readings exceed its standards, the air quality agency does not issue violation notices if the leaks can be quickly fixed, Bernardi’s office said.

AQMD media representatives could not be reached for comment.