Ohio Landfill Sorts Out Leachate Problem

No big problems detected:

By Bob Downing

Consultant for Countywide says leachate pumps functioning properly; minor fixes suggested for gases

The liquid and gas collection systems at a landfill in southern Stark County are both working well with no major problems, according to two reports released Monday.

The reports on the Countywide Recycling & Disposal Facility in Pike Township were done by Cornerstone Environmental Group LLC, a consultant for landfill owner Republic Services of Ohio.

They were released by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, even as the landfill company and the agency began meetings in Columbus on revising the timetable for lowering the volume of leachate, or liquid, within the 258-acre landfill, which has been dealing with underground fires and odor problems for two years.

Revising the schedule would probably require new EPA orders that would take some time to prepare, agency spokesman Mike Settles said.

The volume of leachate within the landfill is a big issue because the liquid is believed to be causing chemical reactions with buried aluminum waste. The EPA wants the liquid to be sharply reduced to cool off and dry out the landfill and to improve the stability in the 88 acres where the fire and odor problems are centered.

Company officials believe the chemical reaction is generating the additional liquids within the landfill.

The 75-page Cornerstone report indicates the volume of liquid has grown from 3 million gallons in 2004 to 12 million gallons in 2005, 29 million gallons in 2006 and a projected 40 million gallons in 2007.

This year through late November, the actual volume of leachate is about 37 million gallons, the report said.

The liquids are being hauled away to sewage treatment plants for disposal.

The system is ''functioning as designed,'' the consultants concluded. ''No immediate corrective actions are warranted or proposed at this time.''

The system's biggest problem is that the leachate contains high volumes of dissolved solids that put more strain on leachate pumps, Cornerstone said. The landfill has had 30 leachate-pump problems since March, with 23 pumps being replaced.

In a separate 40-page report, Cornerstone suggested that Republic Services of Ohio make minor improvements to expand and improve the gas-extraction system. This system relies on wells to collect and burn off offensive landfill gases.

The reports are available at http://www.epa.state.oh.us/pic/countywide.html.

The liquid and gas collection systems at a landfill in southern Stark County are both working well with no major problems, according to two reports released Monday.

The reports on the Countywide Recycling & Disposal Facility in Pike Township were done by Cornerstone Environmental Group LLC, a consultant for landfill owner Republic Services of Ohio.

They were released by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, even as the landfill company and the agency began meetings in Columbus on revising the timetable for lowering the volume of leachate, or liquid, within the 258-acre landfill, which has been dealing with underground fires and odor problems for two years.

Revising the schedule would probably require new EPA orders that would take some time to prepare, agency spokesman Mike Settles said.

The volume of leachate within the landfill is a big issue because the liquid is believed to be causing chemical reactions with buried aluminum waste. The EPA wants the liquid to be sharply reduced to cool off and dry out the landfill and to improve the stability in the 88 acres where the fire and odor problems are centered.

Company officials believe the chemical reaction is generating the additional liquids within the landfill.

The 75-page Cornerstone report indicates the volume of liquid has grown from 3 million gallons in 2004 to 12 million gallons in 2005, 29 million gallons in 2006 and a projected 40 million gallons in 2007.

This year through late November, the actual volume of leachate is about 37 million gallons, the report said.

The liquids are being hauled away to sewage treatment plants for disposal.

The system is ''functioning as designed,'' the consultants concluded. ''No immediate corrective actions are warranted or proposed at this time.''

The system's biggest problem is that the leachate contains high volumes of dissolved solids that put more strain on leachate pumps, Cornerstone said. The landfill has had 30 leachate-pump problems since March, with 23 pumps being replaced.

Original report by Bob Downing can be reached at 330-996-3745 or bdowning[at]thebeaconjournal.com (Beacon Journal staff writer).