EnviroForensics can provide individual solid waste services or assume responsibility for complete waste management. Staff members have specialized in solid waste management services for two decades in areas that include siting, investigations, sampling and testing, assessments, feasibility studies, design, construction quality assurance, monitoring, closure plans, and operation and maintenance plans.
Primary Service Areas
• Site Evaluation and Economic Analysis
• Geotechnical/Hydrogeological Evaluations
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Permitting and Regulatory Liaison
• Facility Design
• Operations and Maintenance Plans and Operations Assistance
• Closure and Postclosure Plans
Site Evaluation and Economic Analysis
Evaluation and economic analysis of candidate landfill and/or transfer station sites rely on the systematic application of selection criteria to define site geology, evaluate the potential for negative environmental impacts, and identify other development constraints. The principal factors considered in the site evaluation are land use and public policy, site area and dimensions, site topography, soil characteristics, access to transportation routes, proximity to waste generation areas, regulatory requirements, and economics. Through experience in landfill and transfer facility projects, EnviroForensics has developed the expertise to perform a trade-off analysis among the selection criteria factors.Any constraints to development are considered during the site selection phase and fully evaluated during design.
Geotechnical / Hydrolgeological Evaluations
A staff of engineers, hydrogeologists, engineering geologists and laboratory technicians provides a wide range of geotechnical and hydrogeological capabilities for solid waste disposal facility and/or transfer station facility design (throughout the siting and design processes). EnviroForensics can provide its clients with reliable information on a site’s suitability for landfill siting and operations. This expertise allows for constant review and input regarding all geotechnical and hydrogeological aspects.
Clean and contaminated material handling
A well-planned subsurface investigation program is essential to properly characterize a site. Type and extent of subsurface soils and identification of groundwater table and flow direction are essential elements which must be known to establish the design criteria for a solid waste facility. Geotechnical/hydrogeological characteristics of a site can impose constraints on facility layout and design. For example, the presence of soft, compressible or potentially liquefiable soils at a site would govern the design of grading and foundations. Groundwater elevations may dictate the elevation of waste acceptance areas due to possible leakage and the effects of buoyant forces on the structure. The geotechnical experience of EnviroForensics aids in determining the suitability of sites for facility construction by identifying physical constraints and establishing design criteria.
Environmental Impact Assessment
EnviroForensics has evaluated environmental impacts and developed mitigation measures for many types of waste management facilities. An Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Impact Report is usually required as part of the permitting process. Capabilities in conducting environmental impact analyses are founded upon a broad understanding of solid and hazardous waste management problems as well as a thorough working knowledge of federal and state regulatory requirements. In approaching such studies, EnviroForensics assigns an interdisciplinary team of specialists, including environmental engineers, civil engineers, hydrogeologists, biologists, chemists, and toxicologists. Staff members prepare environmental documents that focus on such issues as siting of new waste disposal facilities, groundwater and surface-water quality, air quality, flood protection, noise, wetlands and wetland mitigation, public health implications, ecology, aspects of endangered species, traffic, and aesthetics.
Permitting and Regulatory Liaison
During the design and development of solid waste landfills, and leachate/ groundwater treatment facilities, EnviroForensics provides services to its clients in clarifying, interpreting, and completing permit applications, as well as interfacing with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies.
Landfills and Transfer Stations
EnviroForensics brings to the permitting arena a wide range of practical experience with ever-changing regulatory requirements. Permitting requirements and terminology vary between locations. Depending upon locality, typical permits required for development and/or operating of a landfill or transfer station may include: Development permit, operating permit, land use permit, grading permit, drainage and erosion control permit, air quality management and emissions permit, and fire and building permit.
Leachate/Groundwater Treatment Facilities
Several permits are normally required to either dispose of or treat leachate and contaminated groundwater in a treatment facility. EnviroForensics has had extensive interaction with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies and has formed excellent working relationships with personnel in these agencies while representing clients. Engineers routinely participate in negotiations with the agencies covering areas such as: Project scope, sampling frequency, number of borings and monitoring wells, phased investigations, time frame and schedule, permits, site-specific cleanup levels, discharge requirements, reporting requirements (e.g., monthly, quarterly, and long term), and consent orders (technical aspects).
Facility Design
EnviroForensics designs municipal, hazardous and industrial waste disposal sites. Design engineers combine environmentally sound facility design with efficient and cost-effective disposal practices to produce disposal facilities that meet federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. A major consideration in the planning and design of landfill and transfer facilities is the appropriate interpretation and application of a set of codes that govern the landfill design and operations. EnviroForensics assists clients in interpreting code requirements and determining facility design and operational requirements. On behalf of clients, engineers work closely with the state and local regulatory officials to establish design criteria. Designs are based on such considerations as: Regulatory requirements, natural physical features of the site, types and volumes of wastes to be received, projected end use of the facility after closure, and potential need for leachate or landfill gas control.
Operations and Maintenance Plans and Operations Assistance
EnviroForensics has developed operations and maintenance plans for proposed, operational and closing landfills. Plans incorporate permit packages and responses to Consent Orders.
Closure and Postclosure Plans
EnviroForensics prepares phased closure and post-closure plans for municipal and industrial landfills according to the regulatory standards of several states. An integral part of service to the client is preparation of cost estimates for the implementation of closure and post-closure plans, a part of the financial assurance requirements.
