MOUNT VERNON — An overview of the Knox County Landfill was presented to the Knox County Commissioners on Monday by Rob Clendening, director of the Knox Soil and Water Conservation District.
The local SWCD assumed responsibility of maintaining the landfill site in 1995, which began with erosion control measures related to the original closure of the landfill. Two initial projects, which were a diversion for runoff from the original closure borrow area, and the reconstruction of a rock rip-rap structure that transported runoff to the northernmost sediment pond were so successful that the commissioners petitioned the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to cease their monitoring requirements, which resulted in substantial savings.
The county commissioners then asked SWCD to take over the annual management of the landfill cap area, which they have done ever since. This has consisted of soil testing and fertilization measures and more complex site improvements.
A leachate collection system was installed as part of the landfill closure in 1993. This was to collect any water that penetrated the landfill cap and became contaminated by percolating down through the trash. After just a short period, it was discovered that a significant amount of water was being collected in the above ground storage tanks. This water had to be hauled to a treatment facility for disposal, which proved would be a rather costly measure over time.
