Latonia residents living near the old Covington landfill at the corner of Decoursey Avenue and 43rd Street will receive free gas detectors from state and local authorities starting today after elevated methane levels were detected in a home near the site.
“Teams from the state Department of Environmental Protection and the city – including fire and building inspector officials – will visit households this afternoon and evening and Saturday morning to distribute the monitors and an explanatory letter and answer any questions,” the city said in a statement sent Friday.
A statement from the Kentucky State Energy and Environment Cabinet explained the situation that led to the distribution of the monitor.
In July, state officials learned of an underground methane gas leak at a Covington residence. It came from the old Covington landfill at the Bill Cappel Sports Complex, according to a Cabinet statement.
“Energy and Environment Emergency Services, Department of Solid Waste Management (DWM), Kenton County Emergency Management, Covington Fire Department and City of Covington personnel coordinated a rapid response that resulted in the installation of a vapor extraction system at the home., “This has addressed the issue,” the statement continued.
The devices are similar to traditional carbon monoxide detectors for home use. Although officials believe it is unlikely that the gas has entered surrounding homes, the devices are being distributed “out of an abundance of caution,” the statement said.
The Waste Management Department is in contact with “contractors to discuss interim mitigations to address methane migration at the landfill and is seeking proposals to remediate the landfill cover,” the letter concludes.
Citizens with questions may contact Adam Fritsch at the Department of Energy and Environment’s Florence Regional Office at (859) 525-4923. They may also contact Jimmy Adams, Covington’s deputy fire chief, at (859) 292-2343.
