Michigan landfill recognized by EPA for leachate management system

Upon nomination by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), the Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority (MCSWMA) has received “exceptional” status in the Excellence in Environmental and Public Health Protection category from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) PISCES recognition program. The project was one of six chosen by the EPA to receive recognition.

Projects recognized in this category are evaluated based on the overall impact of how the project employs a holistic approach in addressing water quality. These projects may include pollution prevention, contaminant loading reduction, innovative use of technology or other aspects that focus on integrated design and should create multiple benefits in protecting ecosystems, public health and communities, EPA says.

The Marquette County Landfill receives nonhazardous waste from municipalities within the county and operates a leachate treatment system as part of its operations. The leachate was previously found to have higher than permitted levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). To address the issue, the MCSWMA entered a voluntary Administrative Consent Order (ACO) with EGLE requiring these contaminants and other discharge issues be remedied before treated leachate is discharged into the Carp River.

“The Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority is extremely honored to receive the PISCES recognition for Excellence in Environmental and Public Health Protection from EPA,” says Mike Stannard, MCSWMA director of operations. “This recognition not only reflects the hard work of MCSWMA and staff, but also that of our team, including EGLE’s Upper Peninsula district office and our consultants at Tetra Tech. Without this team effort and CWSRF funding, this project likely would have never happened, which could have potentially shut down the MCSWMA landfill or cost the residents of Marquette County an unbearable financial burden. But now, because of the funding, MCSWMA will be able to treat leachate year-round and discharge an effluent that is cleaner than its receiving waters, ensuring that the landfill eliminates negative impacts to the environment and preserves public health.”

MCSWMA received $7 million from Michigan’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), with a total of $4,435,908 issued as principal forgiveness. CWSRF is a low-interest financing option that assists municipalities with construction of necessary wastewater or stormwater infrastructure projects to protect and improve water quality and the environment.

The $7 million award is being used to equip the Marquette County Landfill with a reverse osmosis treatment system to remove PFAS and other contamination from the facilities leachate. EGLE says reverse osmosis treatment is expected to remove more than 99.9 percent of the contaminants from the leachate before it is ultimately discharged into the Carp River.

The reverse osmosis filtration system is all encompassing, allowing for the removal of additional contaminates such as mercury and chlorides. EGLE says this project also positions the Marquette County Landfill as an area leader in PFAS remediation, potentially enabling the facility to become a regional PFAS treatment center.