Overview:
A landfill below development in Dumas, Morne Casse, meant to serve Fort-Liberté, Ouanaminthe, and Ferrier, has hit main infrastructure points, requiring an extra $300,000 to finish. Whereas the challenge, initially funded by the United Nations Growth Programme (UNDP), goals to enhance waste administration in Northeast Haiti, a latest Ministry of Surroundings inspection discovered vital deficiencies that have to be addressed earlier than it might probably grow to be operational.
FORT-LIBERTÉ, Haiti—A landfill below development in Dumas, Morne Casse, designed to serve Fort-Liberté, Ouanaminthe, and Ferrier, has encountered main infrastructure challenges, requiring an extra $300,000 to finish. The positioning is a part of a broader initiative to enhance waste administration in Haiti’s North, the place considered one of three deliberate landfills—close to Port-au-Prince—has already been accomplished.
Regardless of its potential, the Dumas landfill has critical technical deficiencies, as revealed in a latest inspection by the Ministry of Surroundings. Key issues embody the absence of textile geomembranes, improper water administration, and an absence of important amenities resembling a scale and a waste sorting system.
How the landfill is meant to work
The landfill consists of 4 storage cells, every designed with a 40 cm clay security barrier to forestall contaminated liquids (leachate) from seeping into the bottom and polluting groundwater. The positioning spans 48,000 m², with dikes meant to be a minimum of 1.5 meters excessive. Nevertheless, Ministry of Surroundings consultants discovered that these necessities weren’t met, requiring pressing corrections to make sure the landfill operates safely.
The landfill is barely the pilot challenge of a broader initiative and might course of trash for 3 to 6 months
“We managed to finish the bodily development of the challenge on time in a troublesome context given the state of affairs within the nation,” stated Biken Neptune, head of BK Development, which is overseeing the challenge.
Main points recognized
Throughout a website go to, Ministry of Surroundings consultants recognized a number of vital points that want fast consideration:
- Lack of textile geomembranes, that are essential to isolating waste and stopping soil contamination
- Poor water administration, requiring changes to forestall runoff and flooding
- Absence of a scale, making it unattainable to trace waste consumption effectively
- No selective waste sorting system, limiting recycling and correct waste administration
- Dike constructions under security requirements, requiring reinforcement to forestall overflow
- Lack of waste compaction gear, notably a bulldozer, decreasing the landfill’s lifespan
“The defects recognized at landfill websites have important environmental implications. Within the absence of textile geomembranes, leachate can seep into the soil, contaminate groundwater and threaten the well being of surrounding communities. Insufficient administration of runoff may also contribute to erosion and degradation of the native ecosystem,” stated Astrel Joseph, an environmental professional on the Ministry of the Surroundings.
“As well as, with out an efficient selective sorting system, a big portion of the waste might find yourself being buried, limiting recycling alternatives,” Joseph added. “This goes towards the rules of sustainable growth that the nation seeks to advertise.”
Environmental issues and funding challenges
Environmental consultants warn that if these points should not mounted, the landfill might contaminate close by water sources, enhance soil erosion, and scale back its long-term sustainability.
To handle these issues, the Ministry of Surroundings has requested an extra $300,000 from the United Nations Growth Programme (UNDP), which is financing the challenge.
“It’s not BK Development that’s requesting the $300,000 extension, it’s the Ministry of the Surroundings to permit the development and the set up of constructions on the positioning,” stated Neptune.
The United Nations Growth Programme (UNDP) initially funded the landfill’s $1.98 million development, with your entire challenge financed by Japan, based on this system doc. Nevertheless, the Ministry of the Surroundings is now looking for an extra $300,000 from UNDP to deal with newly really useful improvements. In line with the challenge’s development agency, the unique price range was correct, however the further funding request follows suggestions from waste transformation organizations to enhance the landfill’s design. A UNDP supply, who requested anonymity as a result of they aren’t approved to talk to the media, confirmed that the unique challenge price was estimated at $3.5 million when first offered in 2021. It’s unclear why the price range modified over the previous three years or whether or not UNDP will approve the most recent funding request.
The extra funding would go towards:
- Putting in textile geomembranes to guard soil and groundwater
- Enhancing drainage methods to control water stream
- Including sorting stations to optimize recycling
- Buying a bulldozer for waste compaction
- Elevating dike heights to fulfill security requirements
A take a look at future potential: Waste to power
Regardless of the setbacks, officers are exploring biogas manufacturing as a long-term resolution. The anaerobic decomposition of natural waste might generate renewable power, offering electrical energy to surrounding communities.
“This challenge couldn’t solely assist handle waste but in addition present a renewable power supply for communities positioned close to the positioning,” stated agronomist Linés Similien.
Subsequent steps for Haiti’s waste administration
Whereas the Dumas landfill faces main challenges, environmental consultants and native officers stay optimistic that with correct funding and technical changes, it might grow to be a mannequin for sustainable waste administration in Northeast Haiti.
“Securing the mandatory funding for these tasks is vital to making sure their success,” stated Pastor Jackson Polymus, a waste transformation professional in Fort-Liberté.
With continued funding and infrastructure fixes, the landfill might play a key function in decreasing air pollution, bettering public well being, and offering cleaner power alternate options for Haiti’s Northeast area.