Ratepayers delivering waste material to the Altona/Rhineland landfill will soon notice some changes.

Construction on the waste diversion site at the landfill has been completed and approved for use.

"The project is essentially complete. We're just awaiting delivery of some of the bins that will be used at the site," said town CAO Dan Gagne.

Once the bins are in place, the diversion system will become operational.

The dual loop diversion system is set up to catch the materials that often end up in the main landfill cell, but really don't belong there. Items such as propane tanks, batteries, mattresses, appliances, and certain construction waste.

"There will be a recycling loop where ratepayers will be able to dispose of those recyclable materials for free. Then, the remaining (non-recyclable) waste will be scaled, and that material will go through a second loop where the public will dump it into large waste bins.The landfill staff will be responsible for hauling that waste into the pit."

This new system will prevent people from having to drive their vehicles into the main waste cell, which creates a more convenient and safer situation for both users and landfill workers, according to Gagne.

Originally, the construction tender was given to Plum Coulee based J.K.W. Construction for a cost of $275,000. However, some unexpected costs have pushed the price of the project closer to the town's budget of $350,000.