Đắk Lắk Authorities Address Landfill Fire and Overload Issues

Đắk Lắk province is taking steps to rectify numerous issues at the Hòa Phú landfill, following reports of its overloaded state and other operational problems. A recent inspection confirmed a fire occurred in one of the landfill's cells on April 1st, though the exact cause is still under investigation. This incident underscores concerns about the landfill's management, monitoring, and fire prevention capabilities, particularly during prolonged dry spells.

Officials acknowledged that the fire, which was contained by April 3rd, highlighted deficiencies in oversight. The practice of individuals entering the landfill to collect scrap materials also poses safety and security risks. While direct leachate discharge into the environment was not observed during the inspection, stagnant black water in the vicinity of the treatment plant indicates potential odor and environmental pollution risks.

“

The incident shows that the management, supervision, and fire risk prevention at the landfill are still limited, especially in prolonged hot weather. The situation of people arbitrarily entering the landfill to collect scrap materials still poses risks to fire safety and order.

Further complicating matters, coordination between the landfill management and the leachate treatment facility has been insufficient. The report also noted delays in reporting environmental incidents. Two landfill cells, SH1 and SH2, are already exceeding their designed capacity, increasing the likelihood of environmental mishaps. The Hòa Phú landfill began operations in early 2020, replacing the overloaded Cư Êbur landfill.

Initially, the facility lacked a leachate treatment plant, a requirement outlined in its environmental impact assessment. For years, leachate was primarily recirculated back into the landfill cells, a solution effective only during the dry season. The rainy season often overwhelmed this system, heightening pollution risks. A leachate treatment plant project was approved in 2022 and is currently undergoing trial operations. The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has instructed the managing company to enhance oversight, prevent future fires, and improve waste handling procedures. The provincial project management board is also tasked with urgently addressing the identified shortcomings.

“

Coordination between the landfill management unit and the wastewater treatment system operator has not been close; inspection, supervision, and reporting of environmental incidents are also slow. Landfill cells SH1 and SH2 are currently overloaded compared to their designed capacity, increasing the risk of environmental incidents.