Section 5870. Monitoring

A. The provisions of 9VAC5-40-40 (Monitoring) apply.

B. Except as provided in 9VAC5-40-5820 C 2 a (2), the provisions of subsections C through H of this section apply.

C. Each owner seeking to comply with 9VAC5-40-5820 C 2 b (1) for an active gas collection system shall install a sampling port and a thermometer, other temperature measuring device, or an access port for temperature measurements at each wellhead and:

1. Measure the gauge pressure in the gas collection header on a monthly basis as provided in 9VAC5-40-5850 C 3; and

2. Monitor nitrogen or oxygen concentration in the landfill gas on a monthly basis as provided in 9VAC5-40-5850 C 5; and

3. Monitor temperature of the landfill gas on a monthly basis as provided in 9VAC5-40-5850 C 5.

D. Each owner seeking to comply with 9VAC5-40-5820 C 2 c using an enclosed combustor shall calibrate, maintain, and operate according to the manufacturer's specifications, the following equipment.

1. A temperature monitoring device equipped with a continuous recorder and having a minimum accuracy of ± 1.0 percent of the temperature being measured expressed in degrees Celsius or ± 0.5 degrees Celsius, whichever is greater. A temperature monitoring device is not required for boilers or process heaters with design heat input capacity equal to or greater than 44 megawatts.

2. A device that records flow to or bypass of the control device. The owner shall either:

a. Install, calibrate, and maintain a gas flow rate measuring device that shall record the flow to the control device at least every 15 minutes; or

b. Secure the bypass line valve in the closed position with a car-seal or a lock-and-key type configuration. A visual inspection of the seal or closure mechanism shall be performed at least once every month to ensure that the valve is maintained in the closed position and that the gas flow is not diverted through the bypass line.

E. Each owner seeking to comply with 9VAC5-40-5820 C 2 c using an open flare shall install, calibrate, maintain, and operate according to the manufacturer's specifications the following equipment:

1. A heat sensing device, such as an ultraviolet beam sensor or thermocouple, at the pilot light or the flame itself to indicate the continuous presence of a flame.

2. A device that records flow to or bypass of the flare. The owner shall either:

a. Install, calibrate, and maintain a gas flow rate measuring device that shall record the flow to the control device at least every 15 minutes; or

b. Secure the bypass line valve in the closed position with a car-seal or a lock-and-key type configuration. A visual inspection of the seal or closure mechanism shall be performed at least once every month to ensure that the valve is maintained in the closed position and that the gas flow is not diverted through the bypass line.

F. Each owner seeking to demonstrate compliance with 9VAC5-40-5820 C 2 c using a device other than an open flare or an enclosed combustor shall provide information acceptable to the board as provided in 9VAC5-40-5820 C 2 a (2) describing the operation of the control device, the operating parameters that would indicate proper performance, and appropriate monitoring procedures. The board will review the information and either approve it, or request that additional information be submitted. The board may specify additional appropriate monitoring procedures.

G. Each owner seeking to install a collection system that does not meet the specifications in 9VAC5-40-5824 or seeking to monitor alternative parameters to those required by 9VAC5-40-5822, 9VAC5-40-5850, 9VAC5-40-5860, and 9VAC5-40-5870 shall provide information acceptable to the board as provided in 9VAC5-40-5820 C 2 a (2) and (3) describing the design and operation of the collection system, the operating parameters that would indicate proper performance, and appropriate monitoring procedures. The board may specify additional appropriate monitoring procedures.

H. Each owner seeking to demonstrate compliance with 9VAC5-40-5850 E, shall monitor surface concentrations of methane according to the instrument specifications and procedures provided in 9VAC5-40-5850 F. Any closed landfill that has no monitored exceedances of the operational standard in three consecutive quarterly monitoring periods may skip to annual monitoring. Any methane reading of 500 parts per million or more above background detected during the annual monitoring returns the frequency for that landfill to quarterly monitoring.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 12, Issue 11, eff. April 1, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 1999; Volume 20, Issue 08, eff. January 29, 2004.

Statutory Authority

§ 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia; §§ 110, 111, 123, 129, 171, 172, and 182 of the Clean Air Act; 40 CFR Parts 51 and 60.