Water Threat

In response to “The Truth About Trash,” by Judy Berlfein, Science/Medicine, Jan. 22:

Your article discussed the possibility of accelerating biodegradation of trash in landfills. We are sympathetic to this technology but not at the cost of contaminating our ground-water basin with leachate, the liquefied waste from decomposed trash.

Even though no leachate from landfills has contaminated our ground water in the San Fernando Valley yet, we are still very concerned that contaminants may be found in the future. Leachate collection systems beneath the trash and even the use of high-density plastic liners have not always performed as expected to prevent contamination at other landfills. When a problem occurs, it is not easily rectified, and ground water will have become contaminated irreversibly.

Any acceleration of degradation will undoubtedly generate more leachate and pose an even greater threat to our ground-water quality.

For these reasons, we are opposed to the construction of any landfill overlying our ground-water basin, including Strathern Landfill. We will remain vigilant in reviewing alternative landfill technology to ensure that ground-water quality is not compromised.

BRUCE W. KUEBLER

Engineer in Charge

Water Quality Division

Department of Water and Power

City of Los Angeles