SZNS  032:2014 
 
ICS 13.030. 10         Edition 1              
 
 
 
 
 
 
ESWATINI NATIONAL STANDARD  
 
 
 
Solid waste disposal sites, guidelines for 
safe management – Code of practice  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Published by: Eswatini Standards Authority  
Marble Construction Bui lding, Plot 247  11th Street, King Mswati III Avenue West  
P. O. Box 1399, Matsapha, Kingdom of Eswatini  
Telephone: +268 2518 4633, Facsimile: +268 2518 4526  
Website: www.swasa.co.sz  
E-mail: info@swasa.co.sz   
©Eswatini Standards Authority  2014 
 
 
 
SZNS 0 32:201 4 
Edition 1  
ii                      ©SWASA 201 4– All rights reserved  COPYRIGHT NOTICE  
 
This Eswatini Standards Authority (SWASA) document is a n Eswatini National  Standard and 
is copyright -protected by SWASA. Neither this SWASA d ocument  nor any extract from it  
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, 
electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission being 
secured.  
 
Requests for permission to reproduce should be addressed to : 
 
The Information Officer  
Eswatini Standards Authority  
P.O. Box 1399, Matsapha  
Tel. + 268 2518 4633  
Fax: + 268 2518 4526  
E-mail: info@swasa.co.sz   
Website: www.swasa.co.sz  
 
Reproduc tion may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement.  
Violators may be prosecuted.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
        
 SZNS 032:201 4 
Edition 1  
©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved                                                                                                                                            iii 
 Table of changes  
 
 
Clause Changed  Date  Change  
clause 3.3  2011 Remove “government registration” from the 
definition and add “f irst degree in hydrology” under 
the qualifications.  
clause 6.1  2011  Change “Minister” to “relevant Authority” in all the 
clauses.  
clause 7.1  2011  Add “and/” to read “human health and /or the 
environment” . 
clause 8.3.1  2011  Replace “Pollution Discharge E limination System 
Permit ” with  “Effluent Discharge Permit” . 
clause 8.3.3  2011  Replace “Water Resources Act” by “Water Act”  
clause 9.2  2011 Remove “operate the facility to” to read “An owner 
or operator of a landfill shall:”  
clause 9.2 f)  2011 Replace t he “one person” with “two people”  to read 
“at least two people on-site for landfills that 
receive, on an average annual basis, less than 15,000  
tons per year”. 
clause 9.4.2 c)  2011 Correct the spelling of “liter” to “litter”  
clause 9.5.1  2011  Remove “hou sehold” to read “….public delivers 
solid waste…”  
 
NATIONAL FOREWORD  
This Eswatini National  Standard was prepared by Technical committee SWASA/TC 7 Water 
Quality  in accordance with procedures of the Eswatini Standards Authority, in compliance 
with Annex 3 of the WTO/TBT Agreement. During the development of this standard 
assistance was derived from MS 731:2005 Solid waste disposal sites, guidelines for safe 
management – Code of practice, from the Malawi Bureau of Standards.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SZNS 0 32:201 4 
Edition 1  
iv                      ©SWASA 201 4– All rights reserved  Contents                             Page  
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......  1 
2 Normative references ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  1 
3 Definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  1 
4 Owner responsibilities for solid waste ................................ ................................ ......................  2 
5 Prohibition  of  illegal  disposal or incineration of solid waste ................................ ...............  2 
6 Licence required ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  2 
7 Protection of human health and the environment ................................ ................................ ...... 2 
8 Performance requirements ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  3 
9 Maintenance and operations  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 3 
10 Disposal of hazardous waste and waste containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) ..........  5 
11 Land treatment disposal ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  5 
Annex A  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 8 
Annex B  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 13 
Annex C  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 15 
 
 SZNS 032:201 4 
Edition 1  
©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved                                                                                                                                            1 
 Solid waste disposal sites, guidelines for safe management – Code of 
practice  
1 Scope  
The standard prescribes guidelines for safe management of solid waste disposal sites in the 
form of landfills, land treatment facility and incinerators. 
2 Normative references 
The following standards contain provisions, which through references to this text constitute 
provisions of this standard. All standards are subject to revision and since any reference to a 
standard is deemed to be a reference to the latest edition of that standard, parties to 
agreements based on this standard are encouraged to take steps to ensure the u s e  of the 
m o s t  recent  editions of   the standards indicated below. Information on current valid 
national and International Standards can be obtained from the Eswatini Standards Authority 
(SWASA) . 
MS 730, Solid waste disposal sites, guidelines for design – Code of Practice. 
NOTE MS stands for Malawi Standard  
3 Definitions 
The definitions below and those given in MS 730, shall apply. 
3.1   lower explosive limit  
The lowest percentage by volume of a mixture of explosive gases,  which  will  propagate  a  
flame  in  air  at 25 degrees Celsius (77degrees Fahrenheit) and atmospheric pressure. 
3.2    
on-site   
the same or geographically neighbouring property which may be divided by public or private 
right-of-way, provided th at the entrance and exit between the properties is at a cross-roads 
intersection, and access is by crossing, as oppo sed to going along the right-of- way. 
Property separated by a private right-of-way, which the site owner or operator controls, and 
to which the public does not  have access, is also considered onsite property 
3.3        
hydrologist  
a scientist or engineer who has received a f i r s t  d e g r e e  i n  h y d r o l o g y  a n d / o r  
post-graduate degree in the n atural sciences or engineering and  has sufficient training and 
experience in ground water hydrology a nd related fields as may be demonstrated by 
professional certification, or completion  of accredited  university programs that  enable that 
individual to make sound p rofessional judgements regarding ground water monitoring, 
contaminant fate  and transport and corrective action 
3.4       
run-off  
any rainwater, leachate, or oth er liquid that has contacted solid waste and drains over land 
from any part of a facility 
 
 SZNS 0 32:201 4 
Edition 1  
2                      ©SWASA 201 4– All rights reserved  3.5        
run-on 
any rainwater, leachate, or other liquid that  drains over land onto the active area of a facility 
3.6      
scavenging 
the unauthorized  removal of solid waste from a facility 
3.7       
vector 
a living  animal  including  insect or other arthropod which is capable of transmitting an 
infectious disease from one organism to another 
4 Owner responsibilities for solid waste 
4.1 The owner, operator or occupant of any p remises or business establishment shall be 
responsible for the management and disposal of all solid waste generated or accumulated by 
the o wner, operator, or occupant of the property in compliance with this standard and the 
environmental management act. 
5 Prohibition of i l l e g a l  disposal  or incineration of solid waste 
5.1 No person  shall  incinerate , burn, or otherwise dispose of any solid waste in any place 
except at a facility, which is in compliance with the requirements of this standard and other 
applicable rules. 
5.2 When deposition  or disposal  of the following materials does not cause a hazard to 
human health or the environment or cause a public nuisance, the requirements of this standard 
do not apply to: 
a) inert waste used as fill material; 
b) the disposal of mine trailings and overburden; 
c) the disposal  of vegetative  material  generated as a result of land clearing; or 
d) the d i s p o s a l  of v e g e t a t i v e  agricultural  waste. 
6 Licence required 
6.1 No solid waste disposal facility shall be established, operated, maintained, or expanded 
until the owner or operator of such facility has obtained a  licence from the relevant authority  
and has received a letter of approval to accept waste from the  relevant authority . 
6.2 The owner or operator of a solid waste disposal facility shall operate the facility in 
accordance with the conditions of the licence. 
6.3 In areas where no public or duly licensed disposal service is available, the on-site 
disposal of on-site generated non-hazardous  solid waste does not require a licence. 
7 Protection of human health and the environment 
7.1 The manage ment of solid waste shall not present a threat to human health and/or the 
environment. 
7.2 Any contamination of the ground water, surface water, air, or soil that results from the 
management of s o l i d  waste  which  presents  a threat to human health or the 
environment shall be remedied through appropriate corrective action (annex  b) SZNS 032:201 4 
Edition 1  
©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved                                                                                                                                            3 
 8 Performance requirements 
8.1 Ground water 
An owner or operator of a disposal facility shall not contaminate the ground water 
underlying beyond the  ground. Annex  A details the ground water monitoring requirements. 
8.2 Air quality and explosive gas emis sions 
8.2.1  An owner or operator of a disposal facility shall not allow concentrations of explosive 
gases generated by the facility to exceed; 
8.2.1.1 T w e n t y -five percent of the lower  explosive limit for explosive gases in facility 
structures, excluding gas control or recovery system components; 
8.2.1.2 The lower explosive limit for explosive gases at the property; 
8.2.2 An owner or operator of a disposal facility shall not cause  a violation  of any ambient 
air quality standard at the property boundary or emission associated with the facility. 
8.3 Surface waters. 
An owner or operator of a disposal facility; 
8.3.1  Shall not cause a violation of the Effluent Discharge Permit  from discharges of surface 
run-off, leachate or any liquid associated with the facility; and 
8.3.2 Shall be in compliance under the Water Act for any discharge as well as in 
compliance with any area-wide or  state wide of the Water Act. 
9 Maintenance and operation 
9.1 Plan of operation 
An owner or operator of a landfill shall maintain and operate the facility to conform to the 
approved plan of operation. 
9.2 Operating details 
An owner or operator of  a landfill shall: 
a) control   fugitive   dust   generated   from roads, construction, and general  operations, 
and covering the waste; 
b) allow no open burning; 
c) collect  scattered  litter  as necessa ry to avoid a fire hazard or an aesthetic nuisance; 
d) prohibit  scavenging; 
e) conduct on-site reclamation in an orderly sanitary manner and in a way that does not 
interfere with the disposal site operation; 
f) ensure  that landfill personnel, trained in landfill operations are on-site when the  site is 
open to  the public; 
i. at least two people on-site for landfills that receive, on an average annual 
basis, less than 15,000  tons per year; and 
g) at least two persons on-site, with one person at the active face, for each landfill that 
receives, 
h) ensure  that reserve operational equipment will be available to maintain and meet these 
requirements. 
 SZNS 0 32:201 4 
Edition 1  
4                      ©SWASA 201 4– All rights reserved  9.3 Boundary posts 
An owner or operator of a landfill shall clearly mark the  active  area  boundaries  authorized  
in  the licence  with  permanent  posts  or  using  an equivalent method clearly visible for 
inspection purposes. 
9.4 Daily and intermediate cover 
9.4.1 An owner or operator of a landfill shall, at the  close of each day of operation, 
completely cover the waste with at least 2,54 cm of soil or other suitable material 
approved by the relevant authority . 
9.4.2 The use of an approved alternative daily cover shall : 
a) not present  a threat  to human  health or the environment; and 
b) be used only on a schedule as established by the relevant authority ; 
c) schedu le for use of the approved alternative cover shall be established based on the 
alternative cover’s performance in controlling vectors, fires, odours, blowing litter, and 
scavenging. 
9.4.3   The relevant authority  shall, on a site specific basis, waive the requirement for daily 
cover of the waste at a landfill that accepts no municipal waste if the owner or operator 
demonstrates that an alternative schedule for covering the waste does not present a threat to 
human health or the environment. The demonstration from the owner or operator of the 
landfill must include at least the following; 
a) certification  that the landfill accepts no municipal waste; 
b) a  detailed list of the waste types accepted by the landfill; 
c) the alternative schedule on which the waste will be covered, and 
d) any other operational practices that may reduce the threat to human and/ or the 
environment if an alternative schedule for covering the waste is followed; 
e) in granting  any wavier from  the daily  cover requirement, the relevan t authority  shall 
place conditions on the owner or operator of the landfill as to the frequency of covering, 
depth of the cover, or type of material used as cover that will minimize the  threat to 
human health or the environment; 
f) the relevant  authority  shall revoke  any waiver  from the daily cover requirement if any 
condition is not met or if the alternative schedule of the landfill as to the frequency of 
covering the waste presents a threat to human health or the environment. 
9.4.4 If a landfill that accepts municipal waste will  not  receive  waste  for  a  period 
longer than 30  days, the owner or operator shall cover the area with a minimum of 30 cm of 
soil as an intermediate cover  or  alternative  cover  as  approved  by  the relevant authority . 
9.4.5  No alternative intermediate cover will be approved by the relevant authority  without 
application from the  owner or operator. 
9.4.6  Approval for an alternative intermediate cover shall be granted after: 
a) considering the design  of the landfill , waste stream a ccepted, and waste handling 
practices; and 
b) taking into account climatic, hydrogeo logic, and soil conditions of the site. 
NOTE    In granting approval for an alternative  intermediate cover, the relevant authority  shall  
place  conditions  on the owner  or operator of the landfill as to the depth or type of material used 
and maintenance of the integrity of the cover that will minimize the threat to human health or the 
environment. SZNS 032:201 4 
Edition 1  
©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved                                                                                                                                            5 
 9.4.7  The relevant authority  shall revoke the approval of an alternative intermediate cover if 
any condition is not met or if the alternative intermediate cover is determined to present a 
threat to human he alth or the environment. 
9.5 Recycling required 
9.5.1   An owner or operator of a landfill at which the  general public delivers solid waste 
shall provide containers in which the general public shall place recyclable materials for which 
a market exists that are brought to the site: 
NOTE   Waste should be segregated at source.  
a) during  the normal  hours  of operation ; and, 
b)      at a location convenient to the public, i.e., nears the entrance gate; 
i. an owner or operator should demonstrate alternative means to providing an 
opportunity for the g e n e r a l  p u b l i c  to r e c y c l e  h o u s e h o l d  s o l i d  
waste.  
10 Disposal of hazardous waste and waste containing polychlorinated 
biphenyls (PCBs) 
10.1  An owner or o perator of  a solid  waste disposal facility shall not knowingly dispose, 
treat, store, or otherwise handle hazardous waste or waste containing  PCBs except under the 
conditions stated  in the Waste regulations . 
11 Land treatment disposal 
11.1 Maintenance and operation 
The owner or operator of a land treatment disposal facility shall maintain and operate the 
facility to: 
a) avoid  the disposal  of garbage  or infectious waste; 
b) avoid applying wastes at rates g reater th an ten times agronomic rates using the  
proposed cover crop, or depths greater than would allow for disking the soil by 
tracked vehicles; 
c) provide disking of soils during the growing season and after each application of waste 
to maintain aerobic soil conditions, minimize odors and lessen run-off; 
d) avoid applying waste to any active area having standing water; 
e) conform  to the approved  plan of operation; 
f) p r o v i d e  for a written contract between landowners, waste generators, waste 
haulers, and waste operators requiring compliance with rules as a condition of the 
contract; and 
g) avoid food-chain crops during the active life of the facility and until demonstrated to 
be safe, after closure, according to the closure and post- closure plans filed with the  
plan of operation. Specific  approval in writing from the  relevant authority  is required 
for any land spreading disposal facility th at is used to raise food-chain crops after 
closure. 
11.2 Requirements for closure 
The owner or operator of a land treatment disposal facility shall close its facility or unit in 
a manner that  minimises:  
a) the need for further maintenance;  SZNS 0 32:201 4 
Edition 1  
6                      ©SWASA 201 4– All rights reserved  b) or eliminates threats to human health and the environment from post-closure escape 
of solid w a s t e  constituents, l e a c h a t e , landfill gases, contaminated run-off or 
waste decomposition products to the ground, ground water, surface water, or the 
atmosphere; and prepares the facility or unit for the post-closure period. 
11.3 Closure plan and amendm ent 
11.3.1 Closure shall include covering, g rading, seeding, landscaping, contouring, and 
screening. For a transfer station or a drop box facility, closure includes waste removal and 
decontamination  of the  site, including soil analysis, ground water analysis, or other 
procedures as required by the relevant authority . 
11.3.2 Each owner  or operator  shall  develop , keep on file and abide by a plan of closure 
which, when approved by the relevant authority , will become part of the  licence. 
11.3.3 The closure   plan   shall   project   time intervals at which sequential partial closure, if 
applicable, is to be implemented and  identify closure cost estimates and projected fund 
withdrawal intervals for the associated closure costs. 
11.3.4 T h e  closure plan shall be amended if conditions and  circumstances justify such 
amendment. If it is determined that amendment of a facility closure plan is required, the 
relevant authority  shall direct facility closure activities, in part or whole, to cease until the 
closure plan amendment has  been reviewed and approved by the relevant authority . 
11.3.5   Each owner and operator shall close the facility or unit in accordance with the 
approved closure plan and all approved amendments. 
11.4 Closure procedures 
11.4.1 Each owner and operator shall notify the relevant authority  of the intent to implement 
the closure plan in whole or part, 60 days prior to the projected final receipt of waste at the 
unit or facility unless oth erwise specified in the approved closure plan. 
11.4.2 The owner or operator shall commence implementation of the closure  plan , in 
part  or whole, within 30 days after receipt of the final volume of waste, or for landfills, 
when the final elevation is attained in part or all of the facility cell or unit as identified in the 
approved facility closure plan unless otherwise specified in the approved closure plan. 
Closure activities shall be completed within 180 days from their starting time. Extensions of 
the closure period shall be granted by the relevant authority  if justification for the extension 
is documented by the owner or operator. 
11.4.3  When facility closure is completed, each owner or operator shall, within 90 days or 
as required by the relevant authority , submit to the relevant authority . 
a)   facility or unit closure plans, signed by a professional registered engineer and modified as 
necessary to represent as-built changes to final closure construction as  approved in the closure 
plan; and 
b)  certification by the owner or  operator, and professional registered engineer, that the site or 
unit has been closed in accordance with the approved closure plan. 
11.5 Post-closure performance  standard 
Each owner or operator shall provide post-closure activities for continued facility maintenance 
and monitoring of gases, land, and water for 30 years or as long as the relevant authority  
determines is necessary for the facility or unit to become stabilized and to protect human 
health and the environment. 
11.6 Post-closure plan and amendment  
11.6.1 For any disposal facility, except an energy recovery or incinerator facility, post-closure 
care shall include: SZNS 032:201 4 
Edition 1  
©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved                                                                                                                                            7 
 a) ground water and surface water monitoring; 
b) leachate collection and treatment; 
c) gas monitoring; 
d) maintenance of the facility, the facility structures that  remain after closure, and monitoring 
systems for their intended use as required by the approved licence; 
e)  a description  of t h e p l a n n e d  u s e  of the p roperty; and 
f)  any other activity required by the relevant authority  to protect human health and the 
environment for a period of 30 years or a period established by the relevant authority . 
11.6.2  Each owner  or operator  shall  develop , keep on file, and abide by a post-closure 
plan as required and as approved by the relevant authority  as part of the  licence. The post-
closure plan shall address facility or unit maintenance  and monitoring  activities until the 
site becomes stabilized (i.e., little or no settlement, gas production or leachate generation) and 
monitoring and  maintenance activities can be safely discontinued. 
11.6.3 The post-closure plan shall project time intervals at which post-closure activities are 
to be implemented and identify post-closure cost estimates and projected fund 
withdrawal intervals from the selected financial assurance instrument, where applicable, for 
the associated post-closure costs. 
11.6.4  The post-closure plan shall be amended if conditions and  circumstances justify such 
amendment. If it is determined that amendment of a facility or unit post-closure plan is 
required, the relevant authority  shall direct facility post-closure activities, in part or whole, 
to cease until the post-closure plan amendment  has been  reviewed  and approved. 
11.7 Post-closure procedures 
11.7.1 Each owner or operator shall commence post-closure activities after closure activities 
have been completed. The relevant authority  shall direct that post- closure activities cease 
until the owner or operator receives a notice from the relevant authority  to proceed with post-
closure activities. 
11.7.2 When   post-closure activities are complete, as determined by the relevant authority , the 
owner or operator shall submit a certification to  the relevant authority , signed by the owner 
or operator, and, except for Class III b, IV b, and VI Landfills, a p rofessional registered 
engineer stating why post- closure activities are no longer necessary (i.e., little or no 
settlement, gas production, or  leachate generation). 
11.7.3 If the relevant authority  finds that post-closure monitoring has established that the 
facility or unit is stabilized (i.e., little or no settlement, gas p roduction, or leachate generation) 
the relevant authority  shall authorize  the owner  or operator  to discontinue any portion or all 
of the post-closure maintenance and monitoring activities.  
11.7.4  Upon closure of a land treatment disposal facility, the owner or operator shall record 
with the relevant authorities as part of the record of title the fact that the property has  been 
used as a land treatment disposal facility. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SZNS 0 32:201 4 
Edition 1  
8                      ©SWASA 201 4– All rights reserved  Annex A 
(informative)  
Ground water-monitoring requirements 
A 1  The ground  water monitoring system must consist of at least one background or up-
gradient well and two down-gradient wells installed at appropriate locations and depths to 
yield ground water samples from the uppermost aquifer and all hydraulically connected 
aquifers below the facility, cell, or unit. The down-gradient wells shall be designated as the 
point of compliance and must be installed at  the closest practicable distance hydraulically 
down gradient from the unit boundary not to exceed 150 meters (500 feet) and must also be 
on the property of the owner or operator: 
a)  the up-gradient well must represent the quality of background water that has not been 
affected by leakage from the active area; and 
b)  the down -gradient wells must  represent  the quality of  ground water passing the point of 
compliance. Additional wells shall be required by the relevant authority  in complicated 
hydrogeological settings or  to define the e xtent of contamination detected. 
A 2  All monitoring  wells  shall  be cased  in a manner that maintains the  integrity of the 
monitoring well bore whole . This casing must allow collection of representat ive ground 
water samples. Wells must be constructed in such a manner as to prevent contamination of 
the samples, the sampled strata, and between a quifers and water bearing strata. All 
monitoring wells and all other devices and equipment used in the monitoring program must 
be operated and maintained so that they perform to design specifications throughout the life of 
the monitoring program. 
A 3  The ground water monitoring program must include at a minimum, procedures and  
techniques for: 
a) well construction and completion; 
b) decontamination of drilling  and sampling  equipment; 
c) sample collection; 
d) sample preservation and shipment; 
e) analytical  procedures and quality  assurance; 
f) chain of custody control or sample  tracking, as approved by the relevant authority ; 
and 
g) procedures to ensure employee health and safety during well installation and 
monitoring. 
A 4   Each facility shall utilize  a certified laboratory, for the test methods used, to complete 
tests, using methods with appropriate detection levels, on samples for the following: 
A 4.1   During the first  year  of  facility  operation after  wells are installed or an alternative 
schedule as approved by the relevant authority , a minimum of eight independent  samples  
from  the  up-gradient  and four independent samples from each down- gradient well for all 
parameters listed in table 2 of annex C to establish background concentrations; 
A 4.2  After b ackground levels have been established, a minimum of one sample, semi-
annually, from each well, background and down-gradient, for all parameters listed in annex 
C as a detection monitoring program; 
a) in the detection monitoring program, the o wner or operator shall determine ground 
water quality at each monitoring well on a semi-annual b asis during the  life of an 
active area, including the closure period, and the post-closure care period; SZNS 032:201 4 
Edition 1  
©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved                                                                                                                                            9 
 b) the owner or operator shall express the g round water quality at each monitoring 
well in a form appropriate for the determination of statistically significant changes. 
A 4.3 Field measured  pH, w a t e r t e m p e r a t u r e , and water conductivity shall 
accompany each sample collected; 
a) analysis for the heavy metals and the o rganic constituents from annex C shall be 
completed on unfiltered samples; and 
b) the relevant authority  shall specify additional or fewer constituents depending 
upon the nature of the  ground water or the waste on a site specific basis 
considering: 
i. the types, quantities, and concentrations of constituents in wastes managed at 
the landfill; 
ii. the m o b i l i t y , s t a b i l i t y , and p e r s i s t e n c e  of waste constituents 
or their reaction products in the unsaturated zone beneath the landfill; 
iii. the detestability of indicator parameters, waste constituents, and reaction  
products in the ground water; and 
iv. the background concentration or values and coefficients of variation of 
monitoring parameters or constituents in the ground water. 
c) the following information shall be placed in the facility's operating record and a copy 
submitted to the relevant authority  and the ground water monitoring results to be 
included in the annual report as follows: 
i. a report on the procedures, including the quality control/quality assurance, 
followed during the collection of the ground water samples; 
ii. the results  of the field  measured  parameters outlined in annex C; 
iii. a report of the chain of custody and quality control/quality as su ran ce  
p r o c e d u r e s  of the laboratory; 
iv. the results of the laboratory analysis of the  constituents specified in annex 
C or an alternative list of constituents approved by the relevant authority : 
a) the results of the laboratory analysis shall list the constituents by  
name and identification number; and 
b) a list of the detection limits and the test methods used; and 
v. the statistical analysis of the results of the ground water monitoring 
vi. the results of the ground water monitoring may be submitted in electronic 
format. 
A 4.4   After background  constituent levels have  been established, a ground water quality 
protection standard shall be set by the relevant authority , which shall become part of the 
ground water monitoring plan. The ground water quality protection standard will be set as 
follows: 
a) for constituents with background levels below the standards listed in table 1 of annex 
C or as listed in table 2, which presents the  ground water protection standards that 
are available for the  constituents listed in table 2, the ground water quality standards 
of table 1 and table 2 of annex C shall be the ground water quality protection 
standard; 
b) if a constituent  is detected a nd a background level is established but the ground water 
quality standard for the constituent is not included in table 1 or 2 or the constituent 
has a background  level  that  is  higher  than  the  value listed in both tables for that SZNS 0 32:201 4 
Edition 1  
10                      ©SWASA 201 4– All rights reserved  constituent, the ground water  quality  protection  standard  for  that constituent shall 
be set according to  health risk standards. 
A 4.5  The ground water monitoring program must include a d e t e r m i n a t i o n  of the 
g r o u n d  w a t e r  surface elevation each time ground water is sampled. 
A 4.6 The owner or operator shall use a statistical method for determining whether a 
significant change has occurred as compared to background. The relevant authority  will 
approve such a method as part of the ground water monitoring p lan. Possible statistical 
methods include: 
a) a parametric analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by multiple comparisons 
procedures to  identify statistically significant evidence of  contamination. The 
method must include estimation and testing of  the contrasts between each 
compliance well's mean and the b ackground mean levels for each constituent; 
b) an analysis of variance (ANOVA) based on  ranks followed by multiple comparisons 
procedures to  identify statistically significant evidence of  contamination. The 
method must include e stimation and testing of the contrasts between each 
compliance well's median and the b ackground median levels for each constituent; 
c) tolerance or  prediction  interval procedure in which an interval for each constituent 
is established from the distribution of the b ackground data and the level of each 
constituent in each compliance well is compared to the upper tolerance or prediction 
limit; 
d) a c o n t r o l  c h a r t  a p p r o a c h  t h a t  g i v e s  control limits for each constituent; 
or 
e) another statistical test method approved by  the relevant authorit y. 
A.4.7   For both detection monitoring, as described in annex C, and assessment monitoring, 
as described in A-4.8, the relevant authority  shall specify additional or fewer sampling and 
analysis events, no less than annu ally, depending up on the nature of the ground water or the 
waste on a site specific basis considering: 
a) lithology of the aquifer and unsaturated zone; 
b) hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer and unsaturated zone; 
c) ground water flow rates; 
d) minimum distance between up-gradient edge of  the landfill unit and down-gradient 
monitoring well screen (minimum distance of travel); and 
e) resource value of the aquifer. 
A 4.8   The owner or operator must determine and report the ground water flow rate and 
direction in the  upper most aquifer each time the ground water is sampled. 
A 4.9   If the owner or operator determines that there is a statistically significant increase 
over background in any parameter or  constituent at any monitoring well at the compliance 
point, the owner or operator must: 
a) within 14 days of the completion of the statistical analysis of the sample results and 
within 30 days of the receipt of the sample results, enter the  information in the 
operating record and notify the   relevant authority    of   this   finding   in   writing.   
The notification must indicate what parameters or  constituents have shown 
statistically significant changes; and 
b) immediately resample the ground water in all monitoring wells, both  background and 
down- gradient, or in a subset of wells specified by the relevant autho rity, and 
determine: SZNS 032:201 4 
Edition 1  
©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved                                                                                                                                            11 
 i. the concentration of all constituents listed in annex C, including additional 
constituents that may have been identified in the approved g round water 
monitoring plan; 
ii. if there  is a statistically  significant increase  over background of any 
parameter or constituent in any monitoring well at the compliance point; and 
iii. notify the relevant authority  in writing within seven days of the completion 
of the statistical analysis of the sample results. 
c) the owner or operator shall demonstrate that a source other than the solid waste 
disposal facility caused the contamination or  that the statistically significant change 
resulted from error in sampling, analysis, statistical evaluation, or natural variation in 
ground water quality. A report documenting this demonstration must be certified by 
a hydrologist and  approved by the relevant authority  and entered in the operating 
record. If a successful demonstration is m a d e  a n d  d o c u m e n t e d , t h e  owner 
or operator shall continue monitoring as specified in A-4.2. 
A 4.10    If, after 90 d ays, a successful demonstration as stipulated in A-4.9.3  is not made, the  
owner or operator must initiate the assessment monitoring program required as follows: 
a) wi t h i n  14 days of the determination that a successful demonstration is not made, 
take one sample from each down-gradient well and analyze for all constituents listed 
in table 2 of annex C. 
b) for any constituent detected from table 2  of  annex  C, in  the down-gradient  
wells  a minimum of four independent samples from the up- gradient and four 
independent samples from each down-gradient well shall  be collected, analyzed, and 
statistically evaluated  to establish background concentration levels for the 
constituents; and 
c) within 14 days of the completion of the statistical analysis of the sample results and 
within 30 days of the receipt of the sample results, place a  notice in  the  operation  
record and  notify the relevant authority  in writing identifying table 2 constituents 
and their concentrations that have been detected as  well as background levels. 
The relevant authority  shall establish a ground  water  quality  protection  standard 
pursuant to  A-4.4 for any protection standard constituent detected in the down 
gradient wells. 
d) the owner or operator shall thereafter resample: 
i. at a minimum, all down gradient wells on a quarterly basis for all 
constituents in table 1 of annex C, or the alternative list that may have been 
approved as part of the permit, and for those constituents detected from 
table 2. 
ii. the down-gradient wells on an annual basis for all constituents in table 2 of 
annex C and, 
iii. statistically analyze the results of all ground water monitoring samples. 
e) the relevant authority  shall specify additional or fewer constituents depending 
upon the nature of the  ground water or the waste on a site specific basis 
considering: 
i.  the types, quantities, and concentrations of constituents in wastes managed at                                                                            
the landfill; 
ii. the m o b i l i t y ,  s t a b i l i t y, and p e r s i s t e n c e  of waste constituents 
or their reaction products in the unsaturated zone beneath the landfill; 
iii. the detectability of  indicator parameters, waste constituents, and reaction  
products in the ground water; and SZNS 0 32:201 4 
Edition 1  
12                      ©SWASA 201 4– All rights reserved  iv. the background concentration or  values and coefficients of variation of 
monitoring parameters or constituents in the g r o u n d  water. 
f) if after two consecutive sampling events, the concentrations of  all constituents being 
analyzed in annex C are shown to be at or below established b ackground values, the 
owner or operator shall notify the relevant authority  of this finding and shall, upon 
the approval of the relevant authority , return to the  monitoring schedule and 
constituents as specified in A 4.2. 
A 4.11 If one or more constituents from annex  C (table 1) or the approved alternative list, 
or from th ose detected from table 2, are detected at statistically significant levels above the 
ground water quality protection standard as established in any sampling event, the  owner or 
operator shall: 
a) within 14  days  of  the  receipt  of  this finding, place a notice in the operating record 
identifying the constituents and concentrations that have exceeded the ground  water 
quality standard. Within the same time period, the owner or operator shall also notify 
the relevant aut hority  and all appropriate local governmental and local health 
officials that the  ground water quality standard has been e xceeded; 
b) ch a r a c t e r i z e  the nature  and extent  of the  release by installing additional 
monitoring wells as necessary; 
c) install   at   least   one   additional monitoring well at the facility boundary in the 
direction of contaminant migration and sample this well and analyze the sample for 
the constituents in annex C (table 1) or the approved alternative list and the 
detected constituents from table 2; 
d) notify all persons who own the land or reside on  the land that directly overlies any 
part of the  plume of contamination if contaminants have migrated off-site as 
indicated by  sampling of wells in  accordance  with  sub-clause  A  4.11.2  and A 
4.11.3; and 
e) the owner or operator shall demonstrate that  a source other than the solid waste 
disposal facility caused the contamination or  that the statistically significant change 
resulted from error in sampling, analysis, statistical evaluation, or natural variation in 
ground water quality. A report documenting this demonstration shall be certified by  
a hydrologist and approved by the relevant authority  and entered in the operating 
record. If a successful demonstration is made , documented  and approved, the owner 
or operator shall continue monitoring as specified in sub-clause A 4.10.4 or sub-
clause A 4.10.5 when applicable. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SZNS 032:201 4 
Edition 1  
©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved                                                                                                                                            13 
 Annex B 
(informative ) 
Corrective Action Program 
B 1    If, within 90 days, a successful demonstration as stated  in sub-clause A-4.11.5 is not 
made, the owner or operator shall: 
a) continue to monitor  as required in sub- clause A-4.8.4; 
b) take any interim measures as required by the  relevant authority  or as necessary to 
ensure the protection of human health and the environment; and, 
c) assess possible corrective action measures for the current conditions and 
circumstances of the disposal facility, addressing at least the following: 
i. the  performance,  reliability,  ease  of implementation, and potential impacts of 
appropriate pote ntial remedies, including safety impacts,  cross-media  impacts,  
and  control exposure to any residual contamination; 
ii. time required beginning and completing  the remedy; 
iii. the costs of remedy implementation; 
iv. public health or environmental requirements that may substantially affect 
implementation of the remedy; and 
v. prior to t h e s e l e c t i o n  of   a r e m e d y , discuss the  results of the corrective 
measures assessment in a public meeting with interested and affected parties. 
d) based  on  the  results  of  the  corrective measures assessment conducted a nd the 
comments received in the public meeting, the owner  or  operator  shall  select  a  
remedy which shall be submitted to the relevant authority : 
i. the corrective action remedy shall: 
a) be protective of human health and the environment; 
c) use permanent solutions that are within  the capability of best available technology; 
d) attain the established ground water quality standard; 
e) control the sources of  release so as to reduce or  eliminate, to the maximum 
extent practicable, further releases of contaminants into the environment that shall 
pose a threat to human he alth or the environment; and 
f) be approved by the relevant authority . 
ii. within 14 days after the selection of the remedy the owner or operator shall: 
a) amend the corrective action program if necessary and send a report to the relevant 
authority  for approval describing the selected remedy and amendments, along with 
a schedule of implementation and estimated time of completion; and 
b) put in place  the financial  assu rance  mechanism for corrective action and 
notify the relevant authority  of the financial assurance mechanism and its effective 
date. 
B 2   Upon approval  of the selected  corrective  action remedy, the relevant authority  will 
notify the  owner or operator of  such approval and will require that the corrective action plan 
proceed according to the a pproved schedule. SZNS 0 32:201 4 
Edition 1  
14                      ©SWASA 201 4– All rights reserved  B 2.1  The r e l e v a n t  authority  s h a l l  a l s o  r e q u i r e  f a c i l i t y  closure if the ground 
water quality standard is exceeded and, in addition, shall revoke any permit and require 
reapplication. 
B 2.2  The relevant authority  or the owner or operator may determine, based on information 
developed after implementation of the corrective action plan, that compliance with the 
requirements of sub-clause of this annex are not being achieved through the remedy selected. 
In such cases, the owner or operator shall implement other methods or techniques, upon 
approval by the relevant authority , which could practicably achieve compliance with the 
requirements. 
B 2.3  Upon completion of the remedy, the owner or operator shall notify the relevant 
authority . The notification shall contain certification signed by the owner or operator and a 
qualified hydrologist that the concentrations of contaminant constituents have  been reduced 
to levels below the specified limits of the  ground water quality standard for a period of 
three y e a r s  or an alternative l e n g t h  of time specified by the relevant authority . Upon 
approval of the relevant authority  the owner or operator shall: 
a) terminate corrective action measures; 
b) continue detection monitoring as required in sub-clause A-4.2; and 
c) be released  from the requirements  of financial assurance for corrective action. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SZNS 032:201 4 
Edition 1  
©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved                                                                                                                                            15 
 Annex C 
(informative)  
 
Constituents for Detection Monitoring. 
 
Table 1 lists the constituents for detection monitoring as specified in A 4 and the ground  
water quality standard for the constituents for any facility that is required to monitor ground 
water. 
Table 1 ─ Constituents for ground water monitoring 
 
Constituent Groundwater water protection standard 
(mg/ℓ) 
Heavy  metals 
Antimony 0,006 
Arsenic 0,05 
Barium 2 
Beryllium 0,004 
Cadmium 0,005 
Chromium 0,1 
Cobalt 2 
Copper 1,3 
Lead 0,015 
Mercury 0,002 
Nickel 0,1 
Selenium 0,05 
Silver 0,1 
Thallium 0,002 
Vanadium 0,3 
Zinc 5 
Organic 
Acetone 4 
Acrylonitrile 0,1 
Benzene 0,005 
Bromochloromethane 0,01 
Bromodichloromethane1 0,1 
Bromoform1 0,1 
Carbon disulfide 0,4 
Carbon tetrachloride 0,005 SZNS 0 32:201 4 
Edition 1  
16                      ©SWASA 201 4– All rights reserved  Chloroform1 0,1 
Chlorobenzene 0,1 
Chloroethane 1,5 
Dibromochloromethane1  0,1 
1, 2-Dibromo -3-chloropropane  0,0002  
1, 2-Dibromoethane  0,00005  
1, 2-Dichlorobenzene (ortho)  0,6 
1, 4-Dichlorobenzene (para)  0,075  
trans -1, 4-Dichloro -2-butene   
1, 1-Dichloroethane  4 
1, 2-Dichloroethane  0,005  
1, 1-Dichloroethyl ene 0,007  
cis-1, 2-Dichloroethylene  0,07 
trans -1, 2-Dichloroethylene  0,1 
1, 2-Dichloropropane  0,005  
cis-1, 3-Dichloropropene  0,002  
trans -1, 3-Dichloropropene  0,002  
Ethylbenzene  0,7 
2-Hexanone  1,5 
Methyl bromide  0,01
, Methyl chloride  0,003  
Methyle ne bromide  0,4 
Methylene chloride  0,005  
Methyl ethyl ketone  0,17 
Methyl iodide   
4-Methyl -2-pentanone  3 
Styrene ,  0,1 
1,1,1,2 -Tetrachloroethane  0,07 
1,1,2,2 -Tetrachloroethane  0,05 
Tetrachloroethylene  0,005  
Toluene  1 
1,1,1 -Trichloroethane  0,2 
1,1,2-Trichloroethane  0,005  
Trichloroethylene  0,05 
Trichlorofluoromethane  10 
1,2,3 -Trichloropropane  0,04 
Vinyl Chloride  0,002  SZNS 032:201 4 
Edition 1  
©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved                                                                                                                                            17 
 Xylenes  10 
1The ground water protection standard of 0,1 mg/ℓ is for the total of 
Bromodichloromethane, Bromoform, Chloroform, and Dibromochloromethane. 
Table 2 lists the ground water quality protection standards, which are required for 
assessment monitoring of ground water at a solid waste facility as specified in A-4.8 
Table 2 ─ Protection standards 
 
Constituent Ground water protection standard (mg/ℓ) 
2,4-D 0,07 
2,4,5-T 36,5 
2,4,5-TP 0,05 
Benzo[a]p yrene 0,0002 
bis(2-Ethylhexy)phthalate 0,006 
Chlordane 0,002 
Cyanide 0,2 
Dinoseb 0,007 
Endrin 0,002 
Heptachlor 0,0004 
Heptachlor epoxide 0,0002 
Hexachlorobenzene 0,001 
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene 0,05 
Lindane 0,0002 
Methoxychlor 0,04 
Pentachlorophenol 0,001 
Polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs) 0,0005 
Tin 21,9 
Toxaphene 0,003 
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 0,07 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SZNS 0 32:201 4 
Edition 1  
18                      ©SWASA 201 4– All rights reserved   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ICS 13.030.01  
Price  based  on 17 pages.