The Thames Coromandel District Council has awarded HG Leach the contract to construct the finished capping layer for the Coromandel landfill.

Work began January 5 and council says the capping layer is expected to be completed by Friday, May 1.

The Thames Coromandel District Council says work to cap the Hauraki Rd landfill will get underway on January 5. Image courtesy of Google Maps.

The process includes putting capping material over the site and installing a collection system for leachate.

The project also includes transferring minor volumes of leachate to the Coromandel Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Leachate is caused by rainfall passing through the site and dissolving some of the material in the ground as it passed through.

Council says it has a design that collects any of that water and allows it to trickle through a permanently-installed, 5cm diameter pipe which links the site with the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Temporary footpath diversions will be in place for pedestrians while the work is being done.