COUNCIL VOTES 12-0 FOR DUMP DOUBLE LINER.

Byline: James Nash Staff Writer

The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday joined Mayor James Hahn and North San Fernando Valley activists in calling for a double composite liner under the Sunshine Canyon Landfill when it expands into Granada Hills.

The council voted 12-0 to urge the state Water Resources Board to require the double liner, which supporters say would protect groundwater from dump leakage.

Allied Waste Industries opposes the requirement at its Sunshine Canyon Landfill as costly and unnecessary. The company, formerly known as BFI, argues that its single liner system would safeguard groundwater when paired with other enhancements such as a cut-off wall to trap groundwater at the landfill site.

Councilman Greig Smith, who represents Granada Hills, said the double liner would provide an added layer of protection against household products such as a nail polish remover and shoe polish penetrating the liner and contaminating soil or groundwater.

``If we must have (the expanded landfill), let's make it the safest dump we possibly can,'' Smith said.

Landfill opponent Mary Edwards said the double liner would help prevent contamination of the entire Southern California water supply in the event of an earthquake.

``We're not just a bunch of NIMBYs out there trying to make it more expensive for BFI,'' Edwards said. ``We really see down the road some real problems if we don't protect our water supply for the entire region.''

Allied Waste's regional manager, Greg Loughnane, said technicians from the Regional Water Resources Board deemed that a double liner wouldn't provide more protection than the company's proposal.

James Nash, [phone]

james.nash(at)dailynews.com