BioReactor | Water Conservation | Environmental Trust | Photo Library

Water Conservation

In a traditional landfill, the treatment and containment of wastewater, also known as leachate, is a considerable challenge. At the Laflèche Environmental BioReactor, this challenge has been met by containing all leachate on site and putting it to work in the service of a cleaner, more sustainable environment. As waste deteriorates in the BioReactor, the leachate is separated into two streams

.One part is re-circulated into the waste bed from which it came. Re-circulating the leachate encourages an accelerated anaerobic reaction within the waste, and can accelerate decomposition in the BioReactor by as much as 15 - 20 years.

The remainder is pumped into a complex treatment system, where it passes through a large peat filter that pulls off heavy metals and other contaminants. This "scrubbed" leachate runs into a scientifically designed area known as a subsurface wetland. Here, the leachate flows through an underground gravel bed, and the roots of surface plants feed on remaining nutrients. Finally, the leachate enters a four-celled surface wetland where aquatic plants absorb any remaining contaminants.

Once it exits this surface wetland, the treated water is stored in a lagoon and used to irrigate nearby woodlots.