Tulloch Engineering has had a longtime involvement in the Township of Johnson and Tarbutt Joint Landfill Site in Desbarats, Ontario. The municipalities originally contacted Tulloch Engineering in 1997 when the MOE raised concerns related to leachate generation resulting from waste placed into water filled trenches. After Tulloch’s review of landfill approval documentation it was evident that the MOE had been concerned about the use of the trench method of landfilling. Tulloch Engineering obtained a C. of A. amendment to change to an “area fill” method of landfilling along with design plans for two cells with the first one being constructed in 2002. This change successfully addressed two areas of concern; firstly the leachate generation problem was solved and secondly it improved a capacity issue as the trench method was using up the landfill area too quickly.

Annual reports on the landfill operations and groundwater / surface water monitoring were required conditions of this landfill’s approval. Tulloch Engineering have for the past 15 years coordinated the preparation of these reports in association with hydrogeologist experts. In 2005 Tulloch Engineering took over groundwater and surface water sampling duties from the municipal representative who was retiring, and since then our technologists have conducted this field sampling.

In 2009 the municipalities were successful in receiving funding through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund for a variety of improvements to the landfill. Marshall Thompson, P. Eng. of Tulloch's Thessalon office was Project Manager for the Design and CA for improvements completed by a local contractor. These improvements included the construction of Area Fill Cell No. 2, perimeter ditching, access road construction and stockpiling of clay for future covering of Cell No.1. An ensuing project was tendered for the construction of a building containing the site attendant’s office and a “share shed”. Other additions to the landfill site under this program were a tire storage container, landfill signing, compost pits and recycling bins.

Tulloch Engineering most recently prepared a new Design and Operations Report as a result of the many changes at the landfill. This was recently approved by the MOE along with several C. of A. amendments related to the current operational practices of the landfill. Tulloch Engineering has been pleased to assist these municipalities as they have endeavoured to address their waste disposal responsibilities and implement operational practices to divert a significant quantity of waste from the landfill through recycling efforts.