(Des Moines)– Iowans could pay higher garbage fees as the state makes sure all landfills have liners to prevent polluted waterways.
Iowa is doing this to comply with a federal law that requires all sites without liners be closed by October 2007. About 30 landfills, including ones in Kossuth, Cherokee and Buena Vista counties, might need improvements.
The liners are designed to protect groundwater from toxic leaks. The federal government called for the liners eight years ago and Iowa is the only state in the midwest that hasn’t complied.
The cost to add the liners will vary between landfills, but some managers expect customers of smaller landfills to pay up to seven percent more.
Larger landfills could charge much more.
The issue is an important one in Iowa, where 78 percent of people drink water from underground sources. Health officials say toxic material from landfills can cause cancer if it leaks into the water supply.
(Story from the Associated Press).
