Remediation FAQs

Countywide’s remediation FAQs offer general information about remediation of the reaction at the landfill and attempt to dispel some common misconceptions.

Is waste and leachate outside the lined area of the landfill?
Is there any danger of waste sliding into Interstate 77?
Is the landfill on fire?
Is the reaction spreading?
What is Countywide doing to stop the reaction?
What caused the reaction?
Did Countywide receive a warning from the OEPA that the aluminum dross could create a nuisance or is potentially harmful?


Is waste and leachate outside the lined area of the landfill?
It is possible that some displaced waste material lies in a relatively small, narrow band that is covered with a synthetic cap and is drained by an engineered drain. There were some small movements in the south slope of the landfill of moist soils and possibly some waste in 2006 when the reaction within this older portion of the landfill was at its peak. This area was properly stabilized by Countywide in the fall of 2006 by placing leachate collection drains and a 10-foot-thick soil buttress. Although no waste was observed during this project, it is possible that some waste was in this material that moved slightly. Ongoing monitoring of the area confirms there is no environmental impact. When conditions are appropriate, the material will be removed, if necessary The small area of displaced material is more than one half mile from the current, active part of the facility and has no bearing on the day-to-day operations.

Is there any danger of waste sliding into Interstate 77?
No. Countywide experts continue to closely scrutinize the slope in question and have found no evidence of instability or any threat to the public or nearby infrastructure, including Interstate 77. In addition, there is a 1000 foot distance (roughly three football fields) between the waste and I-77, far exceeding the buffer needed should the west slope become unstable. If any early signs of slope instability were observed, immediate appropriate action would be taken. The entire facility is stable.

Is the landfill on fire?
No. The reaction at Countywide is not a fire. It is a reaction caused when fluids came into contact with a byproduct of aluminum manufacturing. The reaction produces heat which then results in a low-grade “pyrolysis” of the nearby waste materials (pyrolysis is defined as a decomposition of a material caused by heat). This was determined by several highly experienced landfill, landfill fire and air experts who have thoroughly reviewed all information from the reaction and made numerous site visits and personal observations, including but not limited to observations of numerous gas well borings that permitted a first-hand view of the characteristics of the waste within the landfill. Although we may disagree with the OEPA as to the definition of this phenomenon, we are fully cooperating together to resolve it.

Is the reaction getting worse?
No, it appears to be subsiding. For nearly a year, there has been a steady decline in temperature and in settlement in the reaction area, which suggests the reaction is slowly lessening. We believe settlement and temperature are the two key indicators of the reactions’ progress.

Is the reaction spreading?
Based upon the temperature and settlement data, it appears that the total size of the reaction is getting smaller. Although the reaction may slowly move in one direction or another, the overall size has gotten smaller in the last year.

What is Countywide doing to stop the reaction?
To date, Countywide has taken many steps to ensure compliance with OEPA orders and to remediate the reaction beyond the orders, including:

• Numerous studies and research have been conducted by experts to determine the causes and extent of the reaction as well as management techniques to be employed.
• A treatability study was conducted to determine if any chemicals or suppressants could be injected into the landfill to reduce the reaction (none were found to be effective).
• An additional 190 additional landfill gas collectors (from 64 collectors at the beginning of 2006 to 254 collectors at present) have been installed.
• Seven (7) additional landfill gas flares and associated equipment have been installed.
• More than 14,000 linear feet of header and lateral gas collection lines have been installed.
• Extensive ongoing management of the gas management systems including well replacements, monitoring and control of oxygen infiltration, and the addition of improved collection piping have been performed.
• Detailed daily survey and monitoring of the condition of the landfill is conducted.
• Daily monitoring for the presence of smoke is conducted and no smoke has been observed.
• A full time third-party team has been mobilized to monitor and report odors, respond to complaints, and document results.
• Ongoing and exhaustive study of ambient air quality suggests the landfill is not impacting air quality in the area.
• Thirty (30) acres of impervious temporary cap over the reaction area have been installed and anchored.
• A physical separation of waste has been constructed to create a “firebreak.”.
• One hundred eight (108) pumps in gas wells to enhance gas collection and further dewater the landfill have been installed.
• Detailed measurement and analysis of the stability of the waste slopes are performed.
• Temperature measuring devices in the waste and under the waste in the landfill have been installed.
• Gas quality data in more than 100 gas collection wells has been collected and analyzed, resulting in, to date, more than 1,000,000 data points.
• Nearly 6000 feet of odor neutralizing system has been constructed.