CCR Landfill Closure Challenges, Solutions and Innovation

CCR landfills can present unique design and construction challenges for the industry when closing these units at the end of their life. In comparison to CCR surface impoundments, CCR landfills typically have greater flexibility under the CCR Rule for operations and beneficial use purposes and may not have defined closure dates which results in some of these closures extending further into the future. However, as coal burning plants continue to shudder, the closure of these landfills is rapidly approaching. This presentation will focus on the challenging site conditions, site specific considerations and potential solutions when designing and constructing the landfill closure system. Specific conditions that will be discussed include designing and managing steeper slopes, stormwater management, site accessibility, long-term maintenance and other key considerations. Several case studies will be presented that include a range of CCR landfill conditions found throughout the industry such as: historic/legacy units, operating landfills utilized for storage of production CCR’s with phased closure, and operating landfills utilized for storage of CCR’s from ash pond closure by removal projects with a single closure. Discussion will include the site-specific conditions, challenges, and innovative approaches and technologies that were utilized.