Proactive planning and preparation by UCOR Landfill Operations personnel and a quick response to multiday storms resulted in minimal impact to the Environmental Management Waste Management Facility (EMWMF) and the Oak Ridge Reservation Landfill (ORRL) over the Memorial Day weekend.
At the close of the work week on Thursday, May 21, all landfills were well prepared. The ORRL was in excellent shape, with leachate tanks at maximum available capacity, equipment fueled and in a ready position, with crews on standby. Landfill Operations prepared for storms by adding additional cover and compacting current work areas.
EMWMF leachate storage tanks had 95% available capacity with the current inflow rate at 8,700 gallons per day. The contact water impoundments had 92% availability, and the catchment was empty. Pumps, tankers, contact water conditioning systems, and other equipment were prepared and ready to use. Alpha-2 waste was covered with clay soils and rolled to promote runoff to the catchment.
Rain began late Thursday afternoon, and Landfill Operations promptly implemented the planned responses. Conditions were monitored around the clock, with multiple onsite responses.
ORRL received 3.5 inches of rain, resulting in crews reporting to site twice to discharge 116,700 gallons of leachate over the weekend. EMWMF received 3.67 inches of rain, generating approximately 110,000 gallons of leachate and 1.25 M gallons of contact water. The leachate valves remained open, and the need for off-hour shipping was avoided.
“Thanks to the teams’ proactive efforts the water management systems and processes continued to operate as intended,” Onsite Waste Disposition Manager Josh Pemberton said. “Their diligent preparation and response made sure the landfills remained safe and compliant.”
