Construction of a new cell at the Allen County Landfill is about 20% complete, according to an engineer overseeing the project.
Jared Brooks, an engineer with Schwab Eaton of Manhattan, gave county commissioners a report on the construction project, and also discussed options for future cells as well as other landfill issues.
The work on the new cell is a month or two behind schedule because of a late start and inclement weather, Brooks said. However, the contractor has 365 days to complete the project and is expected to be finished by March 2024.
Crews are about 80% finished with the dirt work and subgrade construction, shaping the bottom of the cell and preparing for a 2-foot clay liner.
After the clay liner is installed, they’ll lay a heavy plastic liner in the bottom to keep liquified waste from seeping into the ground. As trash decomposes, it creates a liquid “leachate” substance, which is basically contaminated water. Pipes carry the leachate to holding ponds on site.
“The guys are doing a good job but it’s taking longer than we anticipated,” Brooks said. “They have time to get caught up. I’m not concerned.”
Brooks is on site to monitor the work, as required by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. He sends weekly reports to the state.
“Landfills are highly regulated. KDHE requires you to have a third-party inspector. That’s where I come into play, for construction quality assurance,” Brooks explained. “So you have an inspector on site pretty much full-time to assure the facility is constructed according to the design documents.”
Future development
The new cell is the second to open since the landfill was designated a Subtitle D regional facility in 1996. The new cell is expected to serve the county’s needs for 10-15 years.
The landfill is approved to open a total of four cells.
But when it comes time to build a third and fourth cell, Brooks is concerned the county won’t have enough clay on site. Outside of the quarry, much of the remaining land is used for the leachate ponds and related infrastructure.
“You probably want to start thinking about neighboring tracts to expand on or at least places to get soil from,” he said.
There are alternatives, but they come with a cost. The county could purchase clay from elsewhere and ship it. Another — and much more expensive — option is to use just 1-foot of clay with a geotextile liner that contains bentonite, a different type of clay formed from volcanic ash.
Brooks also offered solutions for two ongoing problems related to the disposal of tires and lithium batteries. More details will follow in Thursday’s Register.
