Pennsylvania Code
Title 25 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Part I - Department of Environmental Protection
Subpart D - Environmental Health and Safety
Article IX - Residual Waste Management
Chapter 288 - RESIDUAL WASTE LANDFILLS
Subchapter F - ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASS III RESIDUAL WASTE LANDFILLS
ADDITIONAL OPERATING REQUIREMENTS-GENERAL
Section 288.624 - Attenuating soil

Universal Citation: 25 PA Code § 288.624

Current through Register Vol. 55, No. 13, March 29, 2025

(a) Disposal of residual waste. Residual waste may not be disposed at a Class III residual waste landfill, unless attenuating soil exists in the disposal area or has been placed on the entire disposal area.

(1) At least 4 feet separate the seasonal high water table, perched water table or bedrock from the lowest area where waste is deposited. Soil mottling may indicate the presence of a seasonal high water table. The seasonal high water table and perched water table may not be artificially manipulated. The seasonal high water table may not be located within the attenuating soil base.

(2) At least 8 vertical feet separate the regional groundwater table from the lowest area where waste is deposited. The regional groundwater table may not be artificially manipulated. The regional groundwater table may not be located within the attenuating soil base.

(b) Standards of performance. The attenuating soil shall meet the following standards of performance:

(1) The attenuating soil shall prevent migration of contaminants to the surface and groundwater to the greatest degree that is technologically possible.

(2) The performance of the attenuating soil may not be affected by the physical or chemical characteristics of the waste.

(3) The attenuating soil shall cover the bottom and sidewalls of the facility.

(c) Alternative design requirements. Unless alternative design requirements to meet the performance standards in subsection (b) are approved as part of the permit under § 287.231 (relating to equivalency review procedure) where site-specific conditions are included in the demonstration, the attenuating soil shall meet the requirements of subsection (d). If a design under this section is modified, the modification shall be a major permit modification.

(d) Requirements. The attenuating soil required by this section shall meet the following requirements:

(1) The soil shall fall within the United States Department of Agriculture textural classes of sandy loam, loam, sandy clay loam, silty clay loam, loamy sand and silt loam.

(2) At least 40% by weight of the fragments in the soil shall be capable of passing through a 2 millimeter, No. 10 mesh sieve.

(3) The soil may not include rock fragments greater than 6 inches in diameter.

(4) The soil shall have a cation exchange capacity of at least 10 milliequivalents per 100 grams of soil.

(5) The soil shall have an organic carbon content of at least 0.1%.

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 288.611 (relating to description of soil base); and 25 Pa. Code § 288.621 (relating to basic requirements).

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