Volusia County approves new landfill development

Volusia County in Florida has approved a contract with SCS Engineers, headquartered in California, to develop a new 271-acre Class I landfill.

The landfill, located at the southeast expansion area (SEA) of the Tomoka Farms Road Landfill, is part of the county's long-term plan to meet its Class I sanitary solid waste disposal needs for over a century. The county’s Public Works Department’s Solid Waste and Recycling Division will oversee the project under the guidance of the county's project manager.

SCS Engineers will provide a range of engineering services, such as developing a solid waste permit application package for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). SCS will design the landfill gas collection and capture system, supporting infrastructure, geotechnical needs and leachate collection to protect groundwater and soil. Additionally, SCS will provide support services for selecting a construction contractor for the first 20-acre disposal cell at the new landfill.

The company says it will collaborate with the county to identify any constraints that could affect the cost or constructability of future projects. It also will explore potential opportunities associated with this project to ensure the design complements and maximizes future development opportunities.

Volusia County says it selected SCS Engineers for its expertise in designing modern landfills that adhere to strict state and federal regulatory and quality control guidelines. The firm's understanding of how current landfill operations interrelate with the development of the SEA was a key factor in the county’s selection.

Modern landfills are ecosystems that isolate waste from surrounding environments, such as groundwater, air and rain. While the county's reuse, recycling and organics management programs significantly reduce waste in landfills, the SEA development provides an essential service that will continue uninterrupted as communities transition to even more sustainable programs and infrastructure to reuse landfill gas and other byproducts, SCS says.

"SCS is privileged that Volusia County has entrusted us as a partner to sustainably engineer SEA's safe and efficient development,” SCS Vice President Dan Cooper says. “We're honored to assist the Solid Waste Division in their mission to support the citizens and the environment."