The landfill, located in Kapolei, is a fire hazard, according to federal officials, who are requiring that the landfill’s operator install gas monitoring technology to safeguard against underground fires. 

Waste Management, which operates the landfill for the city, says it has already spent about $1.5 million in system upgrades, according to an EPA press release. 

From the EPA: 

“Our settlement helps reduce the risk of fire at the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill, where gases reach temperatures that are among the highest for any landfill in the nation,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “By bringing it into compliance with the Clean Air Act, we are protecting the community and the environment from exposure to toxic landfill gas.”

The settlement resolves allegations that Waste Management and the City failed to design, construct and operate a gas collection/control system, submit notifications regarding failures to complete construction milestones, prepare a startup, shutdown and malfunction plan, and to operate controls within the gas temperature limit. In addition, gas generated by decomposing refuse, such as air toxics, organic compounds, and methane – a potent greenhouse gas – was emitted from the landfill for approximately three years from 2002 to 2005.

 Federal law requires large landfills to install and operate systems to collect gases generated by decomposing refuse. Effective gas controls at a landfill reduces the release of these gases, preventing them from escaping into the atmosphere. The federal default limit for gas temperatures in landfills is   131 F, in contrast to the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill system which has recorded temperatures as high as 188 F. Poorly controlled landfill gas, especially if it is excessively hot, may result in an underground fire.

In 2005, Waste Management completed the installation of the landfill’s gas collection and control system.  Since then it has been carefully monitoring the elevated gas temperatures within the landfill and will implement an enhanced monitoring and contingency plan as part of the settlement.