COUNTY News:

Residents might notice a large piece of equipment that recently arrived at the Los Alamos County Eco Station. It is a methane gas extractor that will be used to reduce higher than acceptable methane gas levels.

The extractor works like a vacuum system, which pulls the landfill gas through the landfill material and vents the methane gas through the stack. Staff expects that the methane extraction unit will be in place for the next six months or until methane levels decrease to an acceptable level.

Higher than desired methane levels have been detected, which range from 0.0 to 41 percent gas in air, by volume.

The County is taking every precaution necessary to ensure the public health and safety is not at risk. The County implemented a weekly methane monitoring program, which measures methane levels at the landfill boundary and near the adjacent mobile home park. Although the methane levels at the landfill are above the desired level, the methane levels near the Royal Crest Mobile Park are less than 1.0 percent gas in air, which is not a health or safety concern.

The County has been working with the New Mexico Environmental Department’s Solid Waste Bureau and Air Quality Bureau, and SCS Engineering Services, an environmental consultant, to resolve the methane gas issue.

Direct questions to Public Works Director Philo Shelton at 505.662.8106 or philo.shelton@lacnm.us.