CE 410 Design Project, Spring 2005

Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Design Project for Jackson County

Due not later than 11:59 p.m., Friday, May 2nd, 2005.

Note: Late projects will receive a 5% penalty plus 1% per day thereafter. Projects will not be accepted after Friday May 9, 2005. This will result in a failing grade for the course.

Design a municipal solid waste landfill (MSWLF) for Jackson County in Southern Illinois. You may assume that the Southern Illinois Regional Landfill in Jackson County will close within three years. The new landfill will be called the Jackson County Regional Solid Waste Landfill, or JCRSW Landfill.

The JCRSW Landfill shall be designed to operate a minimum of 10 years. Land availability for additional years will be considered an advantage. Leachate collection and storage shall be a part of this project. Leachate treatment or pumping to a POTW shall be at the discretion of the county board, and is not a part of this project. The landfill is expected to meet all RCRA Subpart D requirements and all IEPA requirements. Transfer stations for the movement of the solid waste into the regional landfill from the surrounding areas shall be completed by another firm and are not a part of this project.

Solid Waste Volumes to be Landfilled

The net solid waste generation rates must be estimated for the duration of the project. This necessitates an estimate of the gross per capita generation rate for each year, an estimate of the recycle rate for each year, and an estimate of the population for each year through the projected design life of the landfill. A 20 percent additional quantity (based on net household generation rates) is to be assumed for non-hazardous manufacturing wastes generated in the Southern Illinois region. It is also expected that the landfill will accept additional solid waste from the Chicago area in order to supplement the income and reduce the overall expense. This additional solid waste shall be assumed equal to 125% of the volume (or mass) accepted from Jackson County. And, regions outside Illinois will contribute an additional 35 percent based on the Jackson County generation rates.

Landfill Gas and Leachate Generation

The landfill gas generation must be estimated for at least the 10 year active period plus the first 20 years after closure. Provisions must be made for landfill gas to be collected and burned or otherwise used. You must estimate the leachate generated for the same period. (Both will be homework assignments.) Provisions must be made for leachate storage. The leachate storage facility must be designed to comply with applicable IEPA requirements.

Daily Cover Estimate

The daily cover, lift cover, and cap cover requirements must be estimated. Estimate on site availability of cover materials. If on site materials are insufficient, estimate the required cover soil to be purchased and its associated cost (see side bar link or Means).

General Construction Details

The landfill may not extend more than 70 feet above the existing grade, including cover and cap materials. The bottom of the landfill liner system may not extend more than 15 feet below the existing grade level due to prevailing groundwater elevation in this area.

The liner system must comply with existing IEPA and US EPA requirements. A leachate collection system with porous cover shall be installed over the FML. A cap to prevent infiltration shall be installed at closure.

Groundwater Monitoring

Groundwater monitoring wells must be provided. A minimum of three hydraulically upgradient wells must be installed to monitor background water quality. Monitoring wells must be provided each 300 ft. hydraulically downgradient for leak detection. This may be altered as specified by the permitting authority (IEPA).

Landfill Closure and Post Closure Monitoring

A closure and post closure plan is to be submitted. The post closure plan must provide for groundwater and site monitoring for at least 20 years after closure. Provisions must be made for site maintenance during the post closure period. It is anticipated that the US EPA and/or the IEPA will extend the post closure monitoring period well past the currently required 20 year period. Your design must comply with all US EPA and IEPA regulations in effect at the time the project is due.

Cost Estimate

A detailed cost estimate shall be provided. This is to include the cost of the landfill (including liner, leachate collection, and leachate storage), landfill closure, groundwater monitoring wells, land, maintenance building, equipment, and associated offices and equipment. Equipment should include any vehicles and equipment needed for landfilling and their associated cost. This should include earth moving equipment, compaction equipment, pickup truck for miscellaneous work and errands, etc. Exclude collection vehicles. Do not include costs for transfer stations.

Supporting Documents

See links at left and use the IEPA and US EPA web sites. Direct any other questions to the instructor.