Landfill Methane Regulations — 19
Measuring methane concentrations 19 (1) Surface methane concentrations are to be measured using (a) a portable methane monitoring instrument that (i) meets the specifications set out in sections 6.1 to 6.5 of EPA Method 21, (ii) has been calibrated in accordance with sections 7, 8.1 to 8.1.3.2 and 10 of EPA Method 21, and (iii) is maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, if any; (b) a methane monitoring instrument that (i) meets the specifications set out in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of EPA OTM 51, (ii) is mounted on a drone that meets the specifications of Section 6.3 of EPA OTM 51, and (iii) is calibrated and tested in accordance with Sections 7, 8.1 to 8.1.5 and 10 of EPA OTM 51, before the instrument is first used on any day; or (c) any methane monitoring instrument and method approved by the Minister under subsection (2). Approval of instrument and method (2) The Minister may approve a methane monitoring instrument and method that (a) are capable of detecting the same exceedances as could be detected if the landfill were monitored in accordance with paragraph (1)(a) and subsections (3) and (5); (b) in the case of the instrument, is capable of taking surface methane concentration measurements in accordance with subsection (5); and (c) includes (i) a description of the instrument and its specifications, (ii) instructions for the operation and calibration of the instrument, the manner in which measurements are to be taken and the means by which exceedances are to be detected, (iii) instructions for the appropriate use of the instrument under various conditions, (iv) instructions for the calculation of the zone-average surface methane concentration, and (v) if units other than ppmv are used to measure methane concentrations, instructions as to how those units are to be interpreted for the purpose of determining compliance with these Regulations. Method — paragraph (1)(a) instrument (3) When using a portable methane monitoring instrument referred to in paragraph (1)(a), surface methane concentrations are to be measured with the probe inlet placed no more than 5 cm above the landfill surface. If a measurement above 200 ppmv is taken (a) surface methane concentrations must be measured within 5 m of the location of that measurement to identify the maximum surface methane concentration within that radius; and (b) at the location of the maximum surface methane concentration, the probe must be maintained in a stationary position for twice the instrument response time before a measurement is taken. Method — paragraph (1)(b) instrument (4) When using an instrument referred to in paragraph (1)(b), surface methane concentrations are to be measured as follows: (a) the drone must be flown at a constant height above ground level and at a speed such that the instrument-only response time multiplied by the forward flight speed does not exceed 4 m; (b) during flight, using the drone’s gimballed camera, geo-referenced pictures must be taken of features that indicate elevated concentrations of landfill gas, such as distressed vegetation and cracks or seeps in the landfill cover; (c) if a measurement above 200 ppmv is taken, within 48 hours after it is taken, surface methane concentrations must be measured within 15 m of the location of that measurement in a spiral or serpentine pattern at intervals of 3 m using an instrument referred to in paragraph (1)(a); and (d) if a measurement above 200 ppmv is taken under paragraph (c), the surface methane concentration measurements described in paragraphs (3)(a) and (b) must be taken. Measurement locations (5) Measurements are to be taken (a) at intervals of no more than 2 m along the entire perimeter of the portions of the landfill where municipal solid waste is in place; (b) at intervals of no more than 2 m along a pattern that traverses the landfill, at intervals of no more than 30 m that are offset by 10 m for each successive monitoring event; (c) at all landfill cover penetration