FIRE HITS M-DOCK DUMPSITE/LANDFILL 05/12/2014 | Administrator By Jose Rodriguez T. Senase Reporter A fire of still unknown cause swept through the National Dumpsite/Landfill at M-Dock on Wednesday, November 3, 2014. According to Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) Director Ismael Aguon, the fire started around 1:00 AM on Wednesday, December 3, 2014. He said the Fire Department was able to put the fire under control after a few hours. The BPS head said that unexpectedly the fire started raging again around 7:00 AM, prompting a massive response from the Fire Department. The fire was raging hot with smoke visible several kilometers away. Smoldering tires could be seen littered around the dumpsite as firemen hosed the area with water. The stench of burning tires could also be smelled from afar. The fire apparently started among the thousands of used tires in the area. Aguon said the cause of the fire is still being investigated. A man working at the dumpsite said that they were surprised of the occurrence as Palau experienced heavy rains for the several days. Around 4:00 PM on Wednesday, the fire was on its death throes with small, scattered fires seen in the area. The American Civic Action Team (CAT) also assisted in controlling the fire by bringing in a water trailer. The dumpsite/landfill at Mo-dock is Palau’s largest waste disposal facility. It has been in operation for more than 50 years and is located in an area of shallow reef and mangrove wetland, and in close proximity to residential areas and tourism facilities. It covers an area of about 6 hectares. Previously, the M-dock was operated as an open dumpsite, which polluted the surrounding marine environment as a result of leachate run-off. With support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), under the Project for Promotion of Regional Initiative Solid Waste Management, in 2006–2007 the M-dock was rehabilitated into a semi-aerobic, “Fukoka-style” landfill. However, the landfill reached its full capacity in 2012; and as a temporary measure, until a new landfill is established, the Solid Waste Management Office of the Bureau of Public Works (SWMBPW) has constructed a new dike to expand the existing capacity of the landfill. While after more than 8 years, a site for the new landfill has been identified on Babeldaob, the new sanitary landfill facility will need to be developed prior to closure of M-Dock. There have been proposals in the past to close the M-Dock dumpsite/landfill and replace it with another landfill located in Babeldaob. A Task Force created by President Remengesau in 2013 to study the matter came up with its findings early this year. The Task Force recommended for a survey of M-Dock landfill. The landfill at M-Dock has already reached capacity and is threatening to overflow. It is feared that the problem will lead to irreparable damage to the environment. The survey is to look into the available holding capacity of M-Dock at present time and the rate of waste coming to the landfill at a given time. The Task Force believes that with these data, the useful life of M-Dock can be estimated. The estimate is reportedly necessary as it dictates the amount of time left to plan, develop and open a new landfill.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 06:51:53 +0000
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