Hoosier Landfill

Hoosier landfill is a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill that accepts an average of 800 tons per day of MSW and construction and demolition debris. The facility also receives other inert wastes such as aluminum dross that are disposed of in a separate mono-fill cell. 

Hoosier landfill experienced elevated levels of ammonia nitrogen in leachate that created limitations in leachate disposal. Due to the lack of nitrification in the aerated leachate ponds and reduced effectiveness of the existing constructed wetlands, total nitrogen levels continually increased. ERG was hired to reduce the ammonia nitrogen levels by at least 80%.

ERG evaluated the root cause of the elevated concentration of ammonia nitrogen in two approximately three-million-gallon leachate ponds. Lack of nitrification due to the absence of a healthy population of nitrifier population was identified as the primary cause for the elevated levels of ammonia. ERG reestablished the nitrification process which removed more than 90% of ammonia nitrogen. Also, ERG provided recommendations to reduce nitrate via denitrification, and plant uptake.

Consulting services are being provided with respect to establishing facultative conditions in the ponds to promote nitrogen reduction and revitalization of the wetland system to enhance the plant nitrogen uptake.

 SERVICES PROVIDED

Leachate quality evaluation

Existing pretreatment system evaluation

Ammonia and total nitrogen reduction

Evaluation of alternative leachate disposal options