Springfield, Mo., Wins Environmental Innovation Award

The Missouri Waste Control Coalition (MWCC) recently named the city of Springfield, Mo., as winner of the 2014 Outstanding Award in Waste Management for Environmental Innovation for the planning, design and implementation of the city’s leachate management at the Springfield Sanitary Landfill.

Leachate is water that has come in contact with wastes deposited in landfills. Historically, leachate management was safe, but labor intensive, with leachate levels in the storage lagoon near maximum levels. During storm events employees would be redirected from landfill and other city activities to transport leachate to the wastewater treatment plant by truck, a costly but necessary solution.

A new pumping system was commissioned and placed into service. The pumping system has transported more than 37 million gal of leachate to a wastewater treatment plant to date, with no system downtime and requiring minimal annual maintenance. Now, leachate handling has become one of the least labor-intensive tasks at the Springfield Sanitary Landfill, enabling personnel to perform other tasks.

“Landfill customers and surrounding home owners are enjoying a quieter, safer environment with better air quality and reduced traffic congestion. The community at large is benefiting from the ongoing economic savings enabling the city to maintain low disposal fees for their patrons,” stated Erick Roberts, superintendent-environmental services at the city of Springfield.

Source: SCS Engineers