Challenge

Faced with increasing solid waste volumes, Citrus County, Florida, was forced to expand its solid waste landfill west of Inverness, and install a state-of-the art landfill leachate management system.

The landfill occupies 80 acres and is located in one of the highest areas of Florida, with groundwater 100 to 125 feet below the surface.

Solution

Leachate is collected by a gravity flow system and pumped to a leachate treatment facility capable of handling up to 30,000 gallons a day.

Treatment is delivered through three batch-operated PACT® systems. The PACT system combines powdered activated carbon with biological treatment to assure high quality effluent and treatment stability. Each batch unit is capable of independent operation, affording maximum operational flexibility. 

Treated effluent is filtered and discharged to two rapid-percolation ponds, or spray irrigated on nearby land.

Results

The leachate management system has operated according to design since startup in 1990. The system removes organics, as well as nitrifies and denitrifies the wastewater.