Hillside Landfill Update
After 30 years in operation, we are pleased to announce that the Hillside Landfill has closed its gates and is no longer accepting waste. Over the last year, we have aggressively worked to fill the landfill to capacity, and we have met our goal of ending waste filling operations by the spring of 2008. This milestone is important because it now allows us to concentrate on the final cover over the landfill that will keep rainwater and other elements out of the landfill.
Progress at the landfill is ahead of schedule and much has been accomplished as we head into the final stretch. Over the past year, we have:
- Filled the 55-acre landfill to final capacity and closed for business
- Installed final cover over 18 acres
- Installed a system of more than 100 wells that remove liquid and gas that is created from decomposing waste
- Built and began operating a $4 million wastewater treatment facility
- Removed the huge soil pile on the southeast corner of the site and improved the overall look of the site
Now that the waste filling is complete, we are ready to construct the final cover over the entire landfill. In addition, the replacement of gas and liquid collection systems can now be completed. These construction activities have recently resumed and we expect the work to be completed in the next few months, well ahead of schedule.
As has been the case throughout the entire project, this construction work may lead to an increase in unpleasant odors at times. The most intrusive drilling work in the old garbage is complete. We are now in the final and less aggressive stages of trench work. However, this work may still cause an increase in odors. Ultimately, when complete, we will have installed nearly four miles of trenches across the entire landfill that will collect gas. This is an essential part of removing the odors forever.
Odors will permanently disappear when the entire landfill is capped and the gas is collected. This upcoming work is the next necessary step toward achieving that goal. Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to minimize odor by using neutralizers and doing the final trench work as quickly as possible.
As the project continues, we will keep you updated. Also, please visit www.LandfillClosing.com for ongoing updates and information.