A presentation on the Pros and Cons of on-site leachate treatment via phytoremediation with Poplar Trees. Waste Management of Canada Corporation has successfully utilized onsite phytoremediation to treat over 70 Million cubic metres (~18,500 million US gallons) over a 14-year period at its Twin Creeks Environmental Centre in Watford Ontario, Canada. This presentation will discuss the regulatory approval process from pilot scale to permanent approval. The design considerations will be presented from tree planting orientation and soil setting to irrigation volume and chemical loading, as well as vector control. The details of environmental monitoring and reporting; including soil, vegetation (physical and chemical evaluations), surface water, irrigation loading, and odour will be detailed. Lessons learned during construction during the pilot scale to permeant and current expanded scale will be outlined. The operational optimizations with respect to irrigation loading techniques throughout the growing season (May through October) will be discussed. The requirements of system maintenance at irrigation season start-up, during the growing season, as well as winter preparation will be summarized. Also, a cost analysis of on-site treatment savings compared to off-site treatment expenses will be presented. Additionally, an evaluation of the Greenhouse Gas savings will be presented in consideration of the benefits of the fight against climate change for a sustainable future.
