
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, December 14, 1993                   TAG: 9312140210
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SMITH GAP LANDFILL LINER CUT TO DRAIN WATER, DRY OUT AREA

Contractors have cut a hole in the plastic liner at Smith Gap Landfill to drain water that seeped beneath the protective liner.

John Hubbard, executive director of the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority, said the problem was caused by a faulty diversion ditch located above the area where garbage will be buried.

Hubbard said water collected in the ditch and seeped into a clay base beneath the plastic liner. Workers cut a hole in the plastic to allow the area to dry out.

Hubbard was unsure how large an area was affected. "We're not talking about acres and acres," he said.

The soaked clay base should not delay the opening of the landfill, which Hubbard said should begin accepting garbage from Roanoke, Roanoke County and Vinton next month.

This is the second time in recent months that a faulty diversion ditch has allowed water to seep into the clay base. The clay and the plastic liners are designed to prevent landfill contaminants from leaching into nearby streams and ground water.

Hubbard said the completion of a permanent diversion ditch should draw water away from the fill area.

by CNB