Although the landfill was closed for use 39 years ago, up until the project it was not decontaminated
or improved, continuing to degrade the environment of the surrounded area. In addition, unauthorized dumping of household and construction waste, continued throughout the following years. Since the beginning of the landfill, atmospheric precipitation has seeped through the layer of
landfilled waste, dissolving various chemicals and promoting biochemical processes. The pollution also spread to an adjacent area and, as long as the landfill was located in an urban area and the groundwater pollution spread over an area of 40 hectares, it was a potential threat to the health of the residents.
The solution
The main aim of the project was to recultivate the municipal landfill in the city of Riga near Augusta Deglava Street. The specific goal of the project was to eliminate the degraded object in the territory of the city of Riga, improving the quality of living environment of the near living population.
Difficulties encountered
The project was successful and there were no problems with its implementation in general. The only point that caused additional concern was that during the implementation of the project, it was necessary to change the technical solution for the groundwater treatment method. Contrary to what was planned in the construction project, the amount of groundwater flow was insufficient, thus it was not possible to implement the initially planned treatment method. Other technical solutions were searched for and found.
Impact
In order to reduce the negative impact of the landfill on the environment, the landfill area was reduced by pushing the waste into one pile and compacting it. An anti-filtration layer 50 cm thick and a fertile soil layer 20 cm above the waste hill was established, but in the vacated area 15 cm layer, which ensures further non-pollution of soil and groundwater.
Continuing development of the territory a spacious sports and recreation complex has been constructed nearby the newly created hill. A new opportunity for green infrastructure and further spatial development, as well as groundwater recovery, were successfully framed in the conceptual contexts of sustainability and resilience.
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