Remediation Update

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The following information relates to the on-going remediation of the Countywide Recycling and Disposal Facility and the steps to manage odors from the landfill.

Reaction Remediation Update - Winter 2009-10

Remediation of 88 acres affected by a reaction of aluminum dross requires the expert work of landfill professionals, many of which are local from NE Ohio. Our Operations, Monitoring, and Maintenance Team of professionals constantly monitors and maintains the 88 acres.

The team accomplishes this through an Operations, Monitoring, and Maintenance plan which was recently approved and is currently being implemented. The OM & M plan serves as a guidebook for activities and monitoring required to properly maintain engineering controls, evaluate facility progress, and the reaction’s status. The plan was authorized in conjunction with EPA approval.

Recently finished work includes an expanded gas extraction system that more efficiently collections and burns off landfill gas for destruction. Other work includes an improved leach ate collection and removal system scheduled to be completed at the beginning of 2010. Both improvements are geared to reduce odor at the landfill and are part of the isolation, containment, and management of byproducts of the reaction.

Temporary Capping on Cells 1-3

Installation of a temporary cap over portions of cells 1-3 at the Countywide Landfill and Recycling Facility has been completed. An additional 10 acres of temporary cap was installed. The additional capping joins approximately 70 acres of temporary capping over the effected 88 acres where a reaction exists.  

Additional efforts to remediate the reaction will continue over the next several months including the implementation of an operations and maintenance plan for the effected 88 acres. The operations and maintenance plan will serve as a future guide for remediation efforts.

Isolation Break Completed

The excavation of an isolation break between landfill cells five and seven has been completed.

The isolation break is designed to prevent the reaction in the original 88 acres of the landfill from further moving into additional landfill space not affected by the reaction. The isolation break is a “v-notch” shaped valley. The valley creates a physical barrier between landfill cells 5 and 7 preventing further movement of the reaction. There is no evidence of the reaction moving into cell 7.

Air, groundwater, and odor monitoring continues through cooperation with the Ohio and US EPA. As a confirmatory measure, monitoring has not revealed any public health issues of concern. However, these efforts will continue.

Additional completed remediation efforts include the installation of 69 acres of temporary plastic capping and a gas extraction system including numerous gas wells, pumps, collection lines, and flares.

Check in with our website for future monthly remediation updates.

The completed isolation break:

Reaction Background

Odors from a landfill are the byproduct of the decomposition process as waste breaks down inside of the landfill.  As part of this decomposition process, the landfill settles over time.  In 2006, Countywide experienced a rapid breakdown of some waste in an older portion of the landfill.  This rapid decomposition process resulted in excessive landfill gas and a settlement of the landfill that was more rapid than expected (typical landfill settlement occurs over a 30 - 40 year period).  There is no environmental threat or public heath threat from the rapid decomposition or settling of waste within the landfill. 

The management team at Countywide took immediate action to control odors at the landfill.  Actions included:

• Installing additional landfill gas recovery wells to collect excess landfill gas from the landfill.
• Expanding the landfill gas management system by connecting the wells to a landfill gas vacuum extraction system which effectively removed excess gas from the landfill.
• The landfill gas collection wells are continuously adjusted in an effort to maximize extraction while minimizing air intrusion.
• Installed an extensive odor neutralizing system around the landfill.

These measures were effective in controlling odors from the site.  Countywide will continue efforts to reduce odors.  We work closely with experts from the Ohio EPA to carefully monitor the site to ensure an environmentally sound operation.