Landfill Closure by Capping with Dewatered Wastewater Treatment Solids, 1996 Environmental Conference Proceedings

Operations in the original 33-acre landfill at the Champion International Courtland Mill were discontinued in the mid-1980’s when a lined facility was built to comply with new regulations. Initial closure activities, based on a site investigation, consisted of adding dewatered lime mud to the central areas of the site to promote positive drainage. As the site neared acceptable closure grades of 5 percent, plans for a permanent cap were prepared. Capping with dewatered wastewater treatment solids (filtercake) was established as a goal for the project, based on NCASI research data and operating experience with the filtercake in the active landfill. The initial grading, construction of the perimeter ditches, and installation of the drainage piping has been completed. Cap placement is proceeding as filtercake is generated, as a part of routine disposal operations. It is expected that 18 to 24 months will be required to generate enough material to complete the cap. The site will be closed in 10 sections, with runoff diverted off each section as soon as vegetation is established and runoff is verified to be uncontaminated. Performance monitoring will consist of surface water analyses and ground water monitoring.