ENVIRONMENTAL activists claim a recent underground fire at Welbeck tip could lead to "one of the worst environmental catastrophies imaginable".
Residents Against Toxic Scheme (Rats) say a damaged lining might allow toxic chemicals called leachates to bleed into the water supply.
They fear a fire, which began in cell one in December, might have damaged the lining – a fear which has been di
smissed by the site's owners.
Rats chairman Paul Dainton said: "We were assured by a senior Environmental Agency officer at an appeal in 1999 that there was no way whatsoever that there would ever be a fire on the tip.
"But within just four years of it opening, we have an underground fire, caused by tipped material combusting on itself. This could easily have burned through the tip lining.
"If the tip lining was damaged that would create one of the worst environmental disasters imaginable. We have the largest tip in Europe, and yet no-one seems to know what to do to keep it safe."
Waste Management Group (WRG) has 18 cells planned for Welbeck over a 20-year period. The site is currenly using cell two.
The lining is approximately one metre thick and is made of a combination of colliery spoil and highly-durable materials which are resistant to fire and heat.
It lies just 40 metres from the River Calder – a figure which has decreased to just 10 metres when the river breaks its banks and floods.
The tip is licensed to contain substances including arsenic, cyanide, nickel, chromium, mercury, cadmium, thenols and biocides – all of which could leak into the water if the lining breaks.
The Environment Agency says the fire at the tip was reported by WRG on December 2.
A spokesman for WRG said it had the situation under control and added: "Temperatures in excess of 500 degrees celcius are normal in landfill sites due to the heat generated as waste decomposes.
"Higher-than-normal temperatures in deposited waste are not unusual and can be ignited with the input of enough oxygen.
"Appropriate control measures, such as the introduction of water and starving the immediate area of oxygen, are well understood."
He added that WRG was monitoring the site daily for temperature and carbon monoxide to make sure there were no further problems.
He said: "The company is confident from the results of temperature measurements that have been undertaken within the landfill that no damage has been caused to the landfill lining system. "
But Environmental Agency environmental officer Richard Wood said it was asking WRG to carry out a full review of gas management at the site, which is likely to result in changes to ensure a fire doesn't reoccur.
He added: "All indications are that the fire is out and the situation has stabilised.
"Until we can confirm this we will continue to require the operator to douse the affected area with water and carry out daily monitoring.
"Our prime objective must be to prevent it reoccurring."
Mr Dainton said: "We need a clear, authoritative proof as to whether the tip lining was damaged or not. These people appear to be running the tip on hope rather than knowledge, and it is disgusting."
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