Yellowknife (Sep 08/06) - Work on the Yellowknife landfill's new contaminated soil remediation site is near completion, according to landfill manager Bruce Underhay.

"The bottom line is the city wants to properly handle the contaminated soil it receives," said Underhay.

The project is being built with help from Quebec-based environment remediation specialists Biogenie.

"The pile kept growing and growing. This new system will ease the burden."

Contaminated soil will now be placed on an asphalt pad - laid last week - and a lagoon at the pad's east end will collect runoff from rain and serve as a receptacle for contaminated snow. Underhay noted chemicals will be added to neutralize the contaminants - generally petroleum-based - in order to speed up the remediation process. The dirt will be turned twice a year and tested to ensure it is safe to be used as cover at the landfill.

Disposing of contaminated soil at the landfill costs $60 per metric tonne. In 2004, the landfill accepted 5164 metric tonnes of contaminated soil, a larger-than-normal amount due to a fuel spill at Jackfish Lake power plant. In 2005, 1556 metric tonnes were disposed of.

This year to date, 2223 metric tonnes is being remediated at the dump. City of Yellowknife department of public works declined to release the cost of the soil remediation project.