The company that runs Honolulu's main garbage dump is installing a new water-pumping sump there to help resolve one of the health violations that led to a $2.8 million fine last year.

Waste Management Inc. yesterday received state approval to begin the project, which will include a 120-foot-long pipe for removing liquids from the bottom of the Waimanalo Gulch dump near Kahe Point.

Company officials said work would begin immediately and should take about two weeks.

Two similar systems are already in operation at the dump to remove accumulated leachate, which includes rainwater and liquids that seep from decomposing garbage, spokesman Russell Nanod said.

A broken leachate pump was one of 18 types of violations that led to the fine, which the company is contesting. Most other problems were corrected earlier.

The state permit to operate the site expires in less than a year, but city officials hope to obtain a 20-month extension before seeking another permit to expand the dump's size so it can remain open for at least 15 more years.

The city is also planning to expand recycling efforts and other trash-disposal methods, including trash shipments to the Mainland and incineration that produces electricity.

Waste Management is also preparing to install a system that will convert gases from decomposing garbage into electricity. The company plans to install 12 new gas wells at the dump soon and to have the system operating by early 2008.