1. Throw Me a Life Preserver, We Are Drowning in Leachate
Henry Strickland, Landfill and Environmental Superintendent
Jeffrey Murray, PE, BCEE

2. 01 02 03 04 05 SPSA Background Unusual Conditions Corrective Actions
Path Forward 05
Lessons Learned

3. 01
SPSA Background

4. Background Established in 1976, by agreement of 8 local municipalities
Implementation of a regional solid waste disposal system to include a resource recovery operation, featuring a Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) Plant and a Power Plant
Operates 7 Transfer Stations
Regional LF on 800 acre site in Suffolk

5. Recent History
Service Agreement with Wheelabrator through January 31, 2019
Evaluating Proposals for Long term disposal options
Use and Support Agreements with Communities executed in 2017 with initial term through June 30, 2027
Conditional Use Permit and Rezoning obtained from City of Suffolk for Cell VII Construction and Future Development

6. Operations
System overseen by 16 member Board of Directors. 2 from each community
Managing 400,000 tpy of solid waste for disposal through delivery to RDF or Regional Landfill
Ash residue used for daily cover at Regional Landfill
Managing Tires, HHW, Batteries, White Goods, Oil, Electronics from residents and businesses

7. Regional Landfill
Closed Cells I - IV
Cell VI
Cell V
Future Cell VII

8. 02
Unusual Conditions

9. Accumulated Leachate Reported to VADEQ as Unusual Condition
Discovered in January 2017
Operational review of procedures
> 30’ Depth in Cell V Confirmed with Measured Elevations in Cleanout Risers
No apparent discharge from containment or environmental impact
Reported to VADEQ as Unusual Condition
NOV issued March 21, 2017
Consent Order Issued by DEQ June 1, 2017
Schedule of Compliance
Civil Penalty

11. Accumulated Leachate > 30 Feet

12. Cell V Layout
Sump
42 Acres

13. Sump Section

14. Cleanout Riser

15. Contributing Factors Aged System
On-Site Knowledge and System Understanding
Few staff knew system operation and performance
Lack of formal detailed system training
NOVs from HRSD for > 50,000 GPD at COD Level
Modified system operation in response

16. Contributing Factors
Conservative to Avoid Overfilling Wet Well or Lagoon
No system auto-shutoff
SCADA System Inoperable
Operating Area
Frequent Pump Failure
Inoperable Flow Meters

17. Corrective Actions Employed03
Corrective Actions Employed

18. Initial Actions Repair/Replace Pump Station Components
Replaced Transducers and Flow Meters
Focused Pumping from All Cell V Pump Stations
Install Cellular High Level Alarms
Sampling and Analysis of Leachate
Determine Source of COD
Coordination with VADEQ
Bi-weekly status updates
Developed Corrective Action Plan
Coordination with HRSD

19. Cell V Side Riser Vault Upgrade

20. Cell V Responded Well to Focused Operations

21. Cell V Responded Well to Focused Operations

22. Cell VI Accumulated While Cell V Remedied

23. Success P&H of 100,000 to 150,000 gpd remedied accumulation
Temporary Loadout Station
Hauled to 3 Different Discharge Locations
Pumping max 50,000 gpd direct to WWTP
Approximately 8M Gallons Excess Removed
Quantity initially overestimated
Faster than first feared
Returned to Compliance in July 2017

24. 04
Path Forward

25. SCADA PLC Based Pump Control Panels Human Machine Interface
10 Locations – All connected
Alarm Interface and Auto Shutdown
Pump Flow Rate and Totals
Human Machine Interface
Review Operations at all Locations
Terminal Stations
Operator and Engineer Level of Management
Trending of Performance Data

26. Permanent Loadout Safe Loading and Offloading
Concrete Pad with Sump
Two Quick Connect Locations
Rear and Mid Truck
Utilizing Existing Discharge Pumps
VFDs to Turndown
Control of Discharge Volume
Automated Control Valves

27. Operational Changes Sequence Fill Plan Developed
Shed More Stormwater
Reduce Active Area
Incorporate Diversion Berms
Review Pump Station Performance
Flow Rates
Sump Recharge

28. Proper Training Who Knows How System Operates Design Understanding
Succession planning
Design Understanding
Contractor On-Call
Alarm Response/Know How
Blinking transducer signal?
Are pumps in auto or hand mode?
Maintenance Records
Hours of services on pumps

29. 05
Lessons Learned

30. Recommendations Training Communication Coordination with DEQ
Track System Performance
Integrate Alarms and Protection

31. QUESTIONS?