Section 725.119  Construction Quality Assurance Program

a)         CQA Program

1)         A construction quality assurance (CQA) program is required for all surface impoundment, waste pile and landfill units that are required to comply with Sections 725.321(a), 725.354, and 725.401(a).  The program must ensure that the constructed unit meets or exceeds all design criteria and specifications in this Part.  The program must be developed and implemented under the direction of a CQA officer that is a registered professional engineer.

2)         The CQA program must address the following physical components, where applicable:

A)        Foundations;

B)        Dikes;

C)        Low-permeability soil liners;

D)        Geomembranes (flexible membrane liners);

E)        Leachate collection and removal systems and leak detection systems; and

F)         Final cover systems.

b)         Written CQA plan.  Before construction begins on a unit subject to the CQA program under subsection (a), the owner or operator must develop a written CQA plan.  The plan must identify steps that will be used to monitor and document the quality of materials and the condition and manner of their installation.  The CQA plan must include the following:

1)         Identification of applicable units and a description of how they will be constructed.

2)         Identification of key personnel in the development and implementation of the CQA plan, and CQA officer qualifications.

3)         A description of inspection and sampling activities for all unit components identified in subsection (a)(2), including observations and tests that will be used before, during and after construction to ensure that the construction materials and the installed unit components meet the design specifications.  The description must cover:  Sampling size and locations; frequency of testing; data evaluation procedures; acceptance and rejection criteria for construction materials; plans for implementing corrective measures; and data or other information to be recorded and retained in the operating record under Section 725.173.

c)         Contents of Program

1)         The CQA program must include observations, inspections, tests and measurements sufficient to ensure the following:

A)        Structural stability and integrity of all components of the unit identified in subsection (a)(2);

B)        Proper construction of all components of the liners, leachate collection and removal system, leak detection system, and final cover system, according to permit specifications and good engineering practices, and proper installation of all components (e.g., pipes) according to design specifications;

C)        Conformity of all materials used with design and other material specifications under 35 Ill. Adm. Code 724.321, 724.351, and 724.401.

2)         The CQA program must include test fills for compacted soil liners, using the same compaction methods as in the full-scale unit, to ensure that the liners are constructed to meet the hydraulic conductivity requirements of 35 Ill. Adm. Code 724.321(c)(1), 724.351(c)(1), or 724.401(c)(1) in the field. Compliance with the hydraulic conductivity requirements must be verified by using in-situ testing on the constructed test fill.  The test fill requirement is waived where data are sufficient to show that a constructed soil liner meets the hydraulic conductivity requirements of 35 Ill. Adm. Code 724.321(c)(1), 724.351(c)(1), or 724.401(c)(1) in the field.

d)         Certification.  The owner or operator of units subject to this Section must submit to the Agency by certified mail or hand delivery, at least 30 days prior to receiving waste, a certification signed by the CQA officer that the CQA plan has been successfully carried out and that the unit meets the requirements of Sections 725.321(a), 725.354, or 725.401(a).  The owner or operator may receive waste in the unit after 30 days from the Agency's receipt of the CQA certification unless the Agency determines in writing that the construction is not acceptable, or extends the review period for a maximum of 30 more days, or seeks additional information from the owner or operator during this period.  Documentation supporting the CQA officer's certification must be furnished to the Agency upon request.

e)         Final Agency determinations pursuant to this Section are deemed to be permit denials for purposes of appeal to the Board pursuant to Section 40 of the Environmental Protection Act.

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 23725, effective November 19, 2018)