A design-build case study for Waste Connections.
Morgan Sykes
Many landfill owners and operators face higher costs and fewer options for landfill leachate and wastewater disposal. In some cases, publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) impose limitations on leachate received at their facilities, increasing their charges or refusing it altogether. These developments are partly due to stringent regulations, and now, there is a need to address PFAS.
The regulatory landscape for PFAS is swiftly evolving, with numerous states setting or updating PFAS standards to address emerging concerns and research findings. Managing PFAS in landfills requires a comprehensive approach that includes advanced treatment technologies, compliance with changing regulations, and continuous monitoring of the regulatory landscape.
Waste Connections Proactive Approach
Champ Landfill in St. Louis, Missouri, owned by Waste Connections, took a proactive approach, collaborating with SCS Engineers and ECT2 to design the most cost-effective solution flexible enough to meet the growing number of wastewater restrictions and PFAS standards.
SCS approached the design-build with careful planning, coordination with government agencies for permits, and effective construction management to ensure the successful completion of the project and ECT2’s system. Our team worked diligently to design and construct a treatment facility using scalable advanced proprietary equipment to remove PFAS contaminants from the leachate.
Wastewater/Leachate Treatment
The treatment process involves intercepting leachate wastewater at an average flow rate of 73 gallons per minute, with peak flow rates of up to 90 gallons per minute. After removal of the PFAS, the wastewater discharges back to the original sanitary sewer system, where it continues to a wastewater treatment facility for final treatment.
The process generates a thick foam collected into a separate tank, which collapses to liquid form before passing through activated carbon and Ion Exchange (IX) resin that captures the PFAS molecules. The process removes the PFAS from the wastewater, using an estimated 150 cubic feet of activated carbon annually and 1,000 cubic feet of ion exchange resin. The active carbon and IX resin are changed once their ability to capture PFAS reaches capacity.
The outcomes of this project were highly successful. The new wastewater treatment facility was completed within the specified timeframe and budget, providing ECT2 with a solution to manage PFAS contamination at Champ Landfill and potentially more landfills as needed by Waste Connections. The solution provides environmental protection, ensures current and future regulatory compliance, and improves waste management efficiencies for the site by managing wastewater and leachate.
Using Advanced Technology Proven to Scale
SCS’s application of advanced technology and newly developed processes implemented in the PFAS treatment facility at Champ Landfill showcase the partnership’s commitment to using the best available tools and technology for more sustainable solutions. At the same time, efficient processes handle complex construction projects and deliver a comprehensive solution to Waste Connections.