OVERLAND PARK, Kans. – SCS Aquaterra is pleased to announce that the City of Springfield, Missouri, is being recognized for their innovative solution to leachate management by the Missouri Waste Control Coalition (MWCC). The MWCC recently named the City as winner of the 2014 Outstanding Award in Waste Management for Environmental Innovation for the planning, design, and implementation of the City’s leachate management at the Springfield Sanitary Landfill.
“We’re excited that the MWCC is recognizing the environmental benefits and economic value that our partnership with the City of Springfield has brought to the community,” said Nathan Hamm, Vice President of Solid Waste Engineering at SCS Aquaterra.
Leachate is water that has come in contact with wastes deposited in landfills. Historically, leachate management was safe, but labor intensive; with leachate levels in the storage lagoon near maximum levels. During storm events employees would be redirected from landfill and other City activities to transport leachate to the wastewater treatment plant by truck, a costly but necessary solution.
A new pumping system was commissioned and placed into service. The pumping system has transported more than 37 million gallons of leachate to a wastewater treatment plant to date; with no system downtime and requiring minimal annual maintenance. Now, leachate handling has become one of the least labor intensive tasks at the Springfield Sanitary Landfill, enabling personnel to perform other tasks.
“Landfill customers and surrounding home owners are enjoying a quieter, safer environment with better air quality and reduced traffic congestion. The community at large is benefiting from the ongoing economic savings enabling the City to maintain low disposal fees for their patrons,” stated Erick Roberts, Superintendent-Environmental Services at the City of Springfield.
