Since Moose Jaw’s landfill is nearly 100 years old, city hall is looking for a contractor to develop a new solid waste location while possibly implementing other “alternative solid waste management technologies.”
The Ministry of Environment regulates and monitors the municipality’s landfill and issues a permit every time it conducts a five-year site review. A decommissioning and reclamation plan (DRP) is also required for this permit renewal.
In July, city hall issued a request for proposals for a contractor to handle a DRP and submit a funding application for consulting services to the federal Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), a city council report explained.
The municipality awarded the tender to Pinter & Associates Ltd. in September, with the contractor responsible for developing a DPR. Some tasks included:
- Reviewing the feasibility of alternate waste management technologies
- Analyzing physical closure steps for the existing site
- Identifying the remaining life of the landfill
- Proposing engineering designs and drawings
- Decommissioning the landfill
- Developing a post-closure care plan
- Handling anything that could affect the site’s closure
With this tender awarded, the department of engineering services has developed a request for proposals (RFP) to find an engineering contractor to develop conceptual design options for potential solid waste venue locations, including “alternative solid waste management technologies,” the report continued.
The department posted the RFP on Nov. 18, while it closes on Jan. 13, 2022.
The proponent would also be responsible for engaging in stakeholder communications and project consultations.
“The future solid waste concept is the first step in the development of the city’s next waste management facility. This project will define the scope and cost of this facility and provide a more informed budget for the 2023 capital budget submission,” Bevan Harlton, director of engineering services, told city council during the Nov. 22 regular meeting.
Awarding this tender will provide city hall with options, costs and recommendations about where the new waste management venue will be located and what form it will take, he pointed out. The tender recipient would be responsible for:
- Project management
- Delivering a conceptual design and report that is informed by alternative solid waste management technologies, including but not limited to municipal landfills, landfill gas capture, transfer stations, waste to energy processes, composting and/or incineration.
- Finding a new site for the landfill, while including environmental, social and regulatory factors
- Acting as communications liaison and organizing joint public activities, along with permitting and application requirements
- Producing a public engagement survey and creating a summary report that includes important project parameters, the new location and technology options
- Potential funding opportunities
Harlton added that the final solid waste plan will be delivered to council in late 2022.
“The landfill has been on the radar for quite a while and has had reports attached to it previously. But I’m really happy to see here that it’s included the alternative solid waste management component,” said Coun. Crystal Froese. “From the landfill gas capture, (to) the waste to energy capture and composting parts of it, there are a lot of opportunities out there with new technology.”
Council later voted unanimously to receive and file Harlton’s report about the future municipal solid waste concept project.
The next regular city council meeting is Monday, Dec. 6.
