264.254—Monitoring and inspection.
        
        (a) 
         During construction or installation, liners (except in the case of existing portions of piles exempt from  § 264.251(a)) and cover systems (e.g., membranes, sheets, or coatings) must be inspected for uniformity, damage, and imperfections (e.g., holes, cracks, thin spots, or foreign materials). Immediately after construction or installation:
    
    
        
        (1) 
         Synthetic liners and covers must be inspected to ensure tight seams and joints and the absence of tears, punctures, or blisters; and
    
    
        
        (2) 
         Soil-based and admixed liners and covers must be inspected for imperfections including lenses, cracks, channels, root holes, or other structural non-uniformities that may cause an increase in the permeability of the liner or cover.
    
    
        
        (b) 
         While a waste pile is in operation, it must be inspected weekly and after storms to detect evidence of any of the following:
    
    
    
    
        
        (3) 
         The presence of leachate in and proper functioning of leachate collection and removal systems, where present.
    
    
        
        (c) 
         An owner or operator required to have a leak detection system under  § 264.251(c) must record the amount of liquids removed from each leak detection system sump at least once each week during the active life and closure period.