North Kentucky News

Residents near the closed City of Covington landfill in Latonia will receive monitors from state and local officials starting today. These devices are designed to alert homeowners to any elevated levels of methane and carbon monoxide around their homes.

Teams from the state Department for Environmental Protection and the City, including Fire and Code Enforcement officials, will visit homes this afternoon, evening, and Saturday morning to distribute the monitors along with a letter of explanation and answer any questions.

The monitors, similar to those used for detecting CO in homes, are being distributed “out of an abundance of caution,” according to a letter from the state.

A house adjacent to the landfill recently showed elevated readings of “landfill gas,” primarily consisting of methane and carbon dioxide. This is a natural byproduct of decomposing organic material. A vapor extraction system installed in the home has addressed the issue. The site itself has had vent stacks since its closure in 1986.

“Although recent Cabinet investigations did not reveal current movement of the landfill gas, it is possible that elevated readings could be identified in the future,” stated the letter.

The closed landfill is located at 43rd Street and Decoursey Avenue in Latonia. It was previously an active operation next to three baseball fields known as F.O.P.A. fields, now part of the Bill Cappel Youth Sports Complex.

Covington City Manager Ken Smith expressed gratitude for the state's response: “Again, there is no indication that there are any additional issues with methane gas venting from the landfill,” Smith told the Covington Board of Commissioners. “This is a safety precaution similar to CO detectors.”