Newer rules and regulations by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment regarding landfill compaction is forcing the City of Swift Current to make a six-figure purchase.

Following a landfill audit in 2016, the City was informed their compaction at the east landfill site was insufficient to meet the new regulations that were introduced in 2011.

Last night council approved the acquisition of a used 2014 CAT 816F landfill compactor for $320,000 from Marcel Equipment that was described in an inspection report as 'in good condition and well maintained'.

"The size of our landfill and the amount of time we (would) use a compactor there, actually led us to believe we were better off to buy a used piece of equipment rather than a brand new piece of equipment and it would be much more economical for the city," Mitch Minken, general manager of infrastructure and operations with the City of Swift Current said.

The purchase was approved for $400,000 in the 2017 capital budget, however, the selection committee was unable to secure a landfill compactor due in large part to high demand and the well over budgeted price tag a new one would have cost.

The unit will help address the audit report from 2016, while also improving the compaction within the landfill to possibly add an additional five to ten years in the sites life expectancy.

"Our new compaction methods with this unit versus the old one, will allow us to be able to compact the refuse much denser," Minken explained. "It will allow us to put much more (refuse) in before we are required to put a layer of dirt cover on, so it will save us a lot of time and a lot of airspace. It will make our landfill last much longer."

If the City elected not to upgrade to a compactor, they would have faced the possibility of losing their permit to operate the landfill or potentially being fined.

Finning Caterpillar based in Swift Current has been awarded the service contract to provide the maintenance required on the piece of machinery.