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Leachate
What is leachate?
Unconventional natural gas development (fracking) produces vast amounts of waste. This waste comes in the form of brine and drill cuttings, both brought up from deep shale layers that can contain high amounts of uranium. Despite the potential presence of radioactivity, this waste is classified as residual waste and permitted to be disposed of in landfills that are intended for the collection of nonhazardous waste. Leachate is the result of rainwater and moisture seeping through waste at a landfill and leaching chemicals, organic matter, and other particles from the waste. The leachate is then classified as residual waste at the landfill and sewage treatment plants. But the leachate is not treated for potential radioactive materials, leaving concerns that discharged treated water could be polluting rivers and streams.
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Read Our letter to the DEP regarding the Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill's request to emit fugitive air contaminants.
Improperly covered waste at Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill July 2020. Picture taken by resident.
Resident Impacts from Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill
My only enjoyment was sitting outside on the porch. I can’t even do that because of the smell. My quality of life is terrible. I have no quality of life here. I’m an asthmatic. So are half my neighbors. We can’t open our windows to get fresh air. We’re prisoners in our own house. ~ Carol
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I have garbage that flies into my yard and trees because of the landfill. The smell keeps my family and I inside most of the time because we can't enjoy the outside of our house I worked so hard to get because of the trash and horrific smell! The "air neutralizer" has not helped at all we feel. Thank you for listening. ~ Charlie
Watch the March 2021 Community Meeting
Why Residents Are Concerned about the Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill
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