Author: stonyadmin

 All of us at WM remain committed to Stony Hollow Landfill and being a trusted waste and recycling partner in the Dayton community. 

We are also aware how important it is for us to remain steadfast in our commitment to our community and the environment. We will continue to use the highest safety standards and closely monitor all the site safeguards we have in place at Stony Hollow Landfill. 

As you know, our team has worked diligently to resolve the odor issues and we continue to do so. We are maintaining all existing programs and odor control systems. Overall, the site continues to show improvements in reducing and eliminating offsite odors. We remain pleased with our controls and actions to reduce odors. 

We are making good progress on our construction plans for 2022. We recently completed the on-site wastewater pre-treatment plant for our leachate (Information on the following pages).

 Sincerely,

Your Stony Hollow Landfill Team

Community Support

On April 22nd , WM team members, alongside the Dayton Community, and Wilberforce University celebrated Earth Day by conducting a local community litter clean-up along Gettysburg Road, as well as constructing a beautification project at the Gettysburg Lake along-side Reverend Ril Beatty. Recently Reverend Beatty was named a Dayton Community Gem for his Mountaintop Ministries work with youth at the lake. While WM owns the lake, we are delighted his contributions are recognized as a community gem that positively impact the Dayton community.

Site Activities

Our site activities continue to focus on routine monitoring and inspection programs, assuring the extensive control systems now in place continue to function at their peak. We continue to maintain gas collection systems and the odor control improvements made with the installation of the cover shown below. 

What’s New for 2022?

We completed and now operate on-site wastewater pre-treatment plant for our leachate. After receiving agency and local wastewater approvals we completed the construction of an on-site pretreatment system for our generated leachate. The pre-treated leachate meets our discharge permit requirements and is discharged via a dedicated sewer line directly to the City of Dayton Water Reclamation Facility (WRF). There will be no impact to current operations. The work continues to provide site improvements to our operations. 

In conjunction with the on-site pretreatment plant, the construction of the dedicated gravity sewer line from Stony Hollow Landfill to the Dayton WRF is substantially complete and is fully functional. The pipeline only conveys pre-treated leachate from our facility in accordance with the approved permits. Construction of the sewer line is adjacent to Guthrie Road and the restoration portion of the project is expected to be completed by late summer. 

Odor Surveillance Program 

Our routine odor surveillance continues at a frequency of one time per day, five days a week with two additional random surveys performed each week. We continue to investigate and document all odor complaints received. Since 2016, we have experienced more than a 99% reduction in the number of odor complaints received annually. In 2022, we have not received any odor complaints related to the landfill. Since activating the cap, a decrease in intensity and scope of odors continues. Results are maintained on site and are available for agency inspection. As we continue any site maintenance and gas well installation work, we will issue potential odor alert notifications when we expect there’s a potential for off-site odors. 

We also continue to share monitoring activities at the quarterly Stony Hollow Forum attended by members of the community, City Staff, Solid Waste District staff, Ohio EPA and Moraine. 

Odor Alert Line Remains in Place: We continue to maintain several ways for individuals to notify us of potential odors. The Stony Hollow Landfill Odor Alert Line is open for messages at 937-356-6203. You can also file an odor alert online at www.stonyhollowlandfill.com. 

Odor Management Plan Remains in Place: We maintain the Ohio EPA approval on our odor management plan described above. We continue to operate in accordance with the approved plan and are committed to update the plan as necessary as site activities dictate. The Ohio EPA sets clear guidelines and measurement criteria in their approval of the revised plan. 

No Changes to Synthetic Cap: The synthetic cap and gas well collection system continues to function and perform well. This system continues to control odors and proactively address future issues. We routinely inspect the area to assure its continued effectiveness. Our site gas technicians are on site for routine inspections to ensure all wells are operating properly and the vacuum is being applied. Gas well monitoring and tuning of the well field continues. We continue to evaluate routine additions to our landfill gas collection systems and will provide notice for any activity in 2022.

Gas Well Construction in 2022: Each year, WM plans for ongoing construction and maintenance activities to Stony Hollow’s landfill gas collection system. The planned gas construction for 2022 consists of new and replacement gas collection wells west along the west slope (along Gettysburg Road) and associated pipelines. 

Since receiving the Ohio EPA Final Findings & Orders on May 3, we have been working diligently and have completed several key action items.  As promised, we will continue to keep you all informed as we work to comply with the Final Orders.  The following highlights several key action items:

Synthetic Cap Extension Preparation Continues:  In accordance with the order we began preparing to extend the synthetic cap over approximately 5 plus acres. This is a proactive measure that should further enhance our control of odors. Construction activities include soil grading, laying geotextile and seaming panels of the HDPE synthetic material over the area.  Photos capturing the action will be posted in the website so check back frequently to see the progress. The cap will be completed no later than August 31^st.

Drilling Complete for Necessary Updates to the Gas Well Collection Network:  While the new landfill gas extraction wells in the next phase of the proposed cap area were completed and vacuum applied in late June, as part of our normal construction process, we are continuing with well installation in other areas of the landfill.   No drilling work is occurring over the weekend but employees are on site for daily inspections.

Air Monitoring Enhancements:  We continue with sampling of our ambient air monitoring, adding more monitors and conducting more laboratory testing to ensure the air in and around the landfill is safe for our employees and our neighbors. RAPCA is conducting periodic monitoring in the community during these activities. RAPCA has updated their website with the ambient air monitoring data and community air monitoring data and will update the site with new results as they are received and after they have undergone Ohio EPA review. To date no levels above health standards have been detected. More information can be found at http://www.rapca.org/programs/air-quality-monitoring/stoney-hollow-sampling.

Odor Surveillance: We continue to conduct odor surveillance three times a day, seven days a week. Results are maintained on site and available for agency inspection. Since activating the cap in late January, we have seen promising results. The third-party consultant has reported a decrease in intensity and scope of odors in the daily odor surveys.

Odor Management Plan: The order sets clear guidelines and measurement criteria that must be met before the Ohio EPA will give approval for any changes.

Here is a link to the orders on the Ohio EPA public document website:http://edocpub.epa.ohio.gov/publicportal/ViewDocument.aspx?docid=616708

Since receiving the Ohio EPA Final Findings & Orders on May 3, we have been working diligently and have completed a number of key action items.  

Public Information Meeting Held

Stony Hollow Landfill held a public information meeting on June 6, 2017 at Dunbar Early College High School in Dayton to provide information on site activities. More than 40 people from the community, including a number of elected officials and representatives of local organizations attended to hear from the Stony Hollow team. After a brief presentation, attendees could meet with subject matter experts at different information stations around the room focused on various topics, including general landfill information, odor surveillance process, ambient air monitoring and construction projects for 2017. 

Initial Drilling Complete for Necessary Updates to the Gas Well Collection Network  –  In accordance with the Final Orders, work is completed on new landfill gas extraction well(s) installation in the next phase of the proposed temporary cap area which began in early June.   All wells have been hooked up to vacuum and all work was completed before the July 5^th deadline.  Well installation in other areas of the landfill will continue as per the 2017 construction plans. No drilling work will be occurring over the holiday weekend.  Workers will be on site for daily inspections but no drilling will occur.

Synthetic Cap Extension Preparation Begins:  In accordance with the order we are preparing to extend the synthetic cap over approximately 5 plus acres.  Construction will occur in July and will be completed no later than August 31^st.

Air Monitoring Enhancements: We continue with sampling of our ambient air monitoring, adding more monitors and conducting more laboratory testing to ensure the air in and around the landfill is safe for our employees and our neighbors. RAPCA is conducting periodic monitoring in the community during these activities. RAPCA has updated their website with the ambient air monitoring data and community air monitoring data and will update the site with new results as they are received and after they have undergone Ohio EPA review. To date no levels above health standards have been detected. More information can be found at http://www.rapca.org/programs/air-quality-monitoring/stoney-hollow-sampling.

Odor Surveillance: We continue to conduct odor surveillance three times a day, seven days a week. Results are maintained on site and available for agency inspection.

Odor Management Plan: The order sets clear guidelines and measurement criteria that must be met before the Ohio EPA will give approval for any changes.

Here is a link to the orders on the Ohio EPA public document website: http://edocpub.epa.ohio.gov/publicportal/ViewDocument.aspx?docid=616708

Stony Hollow Landfill held a public information meeting on June 6, 2017 at Dunbar Early College High School in Dayton to provide information on site activities. More than 40 people from the community attended to hear from the Stony Hollow team. After a brief presentation, attendees could meet with subject matter experts at different stations around the room focused on various topics, including general landfill information, odor surveillance process, ambient air monitoring and projects for 2017. 

Additional resources include:

• Ambient Air Monitoring Map
• Odor Surveillance Map

Since receiving the Ohio EPA Final Findings & Orders on May 3, we have been working diligently and have completed a number items.  We will keep you all informed as we work to comply with the Final Orders and throughout the process.  The following highlights a number of key items: 

A Public Information Meeting: The meeting has been scheduled by Stony Hollow Landfill to provide information on site activities.  The meeting will take place at Dunbar Early College High School located at 1400 Albritton Drive, Dayton, Ohio on June 6, 2017 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  we will be promoting the event and you can share the date and location with those who might be interested in attending.  

Preparations Begin for Necessary Updates to the Gas Well Collection Network: Our contractor began to mobilize personnel, equipment and materials this week.  In accordance with the Final Orders, new landfill gas extraction well(s) installation in the area of interest is planned to begin following the Memorial Day holiday and will be completed before 4^th of July.  We have taken extra steps and put in place fail safes to help control odors during the drilling process.

Ambient Air Monitoring Enhancements: We are increasing the frequency of sampling of our ambient air monitoring, adding more monitors and conducting more laboratory testing to ensure the air in and around the landfill is safe for our employees and our neighbors. RAPCA will be conducting periodic monitoring in the community during these activities.  RAPCA has updated their website with the ambient air monitoring data and will update the site with new results as they are received and after they have undergone Ohio EPA review.  To date no levels above health standards have been detected. More information can be found at http://www.rapca.org/programs/air-quality-monitoring/stoney-hollow-sampling.

Odor Surveillance: We will continue to conduct odor surveillance three times a day, seven days a week. 

Odor Management Plan: The order sets clear guidelines and measurement criteria that must be met before the Ohio EPA will give approval for any changes. http://edocpub.epa.ohio.gov/publicportal/ViewDocument.aspx?docid=616708

Late yesterday,  the Ohio EPA issued their final orders to Stony Hollow Landfill.  All of us on the Waste Management team agree with these orders and will continue to work closely with the Ohio EPA and other regulators to make sure Stony Hollow Landfill completes all action items on schedule and adheres to the standards outlined in the plan.  We will also keep you all informed as we work through the upcoming activities. 

The final findings and orders lay out the appropriate next steps to build on the significant progress we’ve made containing and controlling odors, including:

• Continuing necessary additions and updates to the gas well collection network, which will build on the work done last year and enhance the efficiency of our system. More gas wells mean more control over landfill gases, which can cause odors if not contained in wells or under the vacuum. This work will begin in May and will be completed by early July.
• Extending the synthetic cap, which has worked well in helping us contain and control any odors not captured by the well system. This work will begin in July and conclude by the end of August. The cap will remain in place until the Ohio EPA determines with the appropriate data and testing that the area has stabilized.
• Ambient Air Monitoring: During gas well drilling in the area we will be increasing the frequency of sampling of our ambient air monitoring, adding more monitors and conducting more laboratory testing to ensure the air in and around the landfill is safe for our employees and our neighbors. RAPCA will be conducting periodic monitoring in the community during these activities.
• Odor Surveillance: We will continue to conduct odor surveillance three times a day, seven days a week.
• Public Information Meeting: We will host an information session in early June 2017, where community members can learn more about what’s been done at Stony Hollow to address odors and upcoming projects for summer 2017.  We will continue to offer more opportunities for sharing information going forward.
• Odor Management Plan: The order sets clear guidelines and measurement criteria that must be met before the Ohio EPA will give approval for any changes.

The final orders and findings are available on the Ohio EPA public document website: http://edocpub.epa.ohio.gov/publicportal/ViewDocument.aspx?docid=616708

Ongoing Activities
We are continuing odor surveillance with LJB consultants at least three times per day as well as our weekly ambient air monitoring, with data submitted to RAPCA and Ohio EPA. We’re also continuing with our communication plans by providing updates to local officials and issuing potential odor notifications if there is the possibility of an item contributing to odors. We did provide a potential odor alert last week when performing sump maintenance. Both gas flares remained operational during the maintenance.

Cap System Update
The synthetic cap is in place with all gas well penetrations sealed and a full vacuum under the cap is operational directing gas to the flare system. We have completed installation of the wind defender material above the cap to hold the cap in place. Our odor surveys have noticed improved odor control around the community.

Upcoming Construction Activities
We are nearing completion of miscellaneous storm water management features supporting the capped area and general regrading. We also completed construction of some additional gas lateral piping features. We began construction of the second above ground storage tank which will continue for several more weeks.

Upcoming Meetings
We have hosted several site tours with local elected officials and members of the Montgomery County Solid Waste Advisory Committee and we will continue our meetings with communities and regulatory agencies this week. The Stony Hollow Forum is being held today where regulatory agencies and citizens representing Southwest Priority Board members are present to receive briefings.

Ongoing Activities
We’re continuing odor surveillance with LJB consultants at least three times per day as well as our weekly ambient air monitoring, with data submitted to RAPCA and Ohio EPA. We’re also continuing with our communication plans by providing updates to local officials and issuing potential odor notifications if there is the possibility of an issue as we continue construction and final phases of the cap system operation.

Cap System Update
While the synthetic capping material is now in place over more than 13 acres, the next step is to create the vacuum seal under the cap, which requires that all penetrations through the cap (like gas wells, for example) be sealed, followed by fine tuning of the gas wells and flares. Our team completed sealing all gas wells and we are working on refining the vacuum under the cap to direct gas to the larger capacity flare, which was installed in December. That work should be completed by the week of January 23. We expect improved odor control once the vacuum is fully applied.

Upcoming Construction Activities
We will continue completion of miscellaneous storm water management features supporting the capped area and general regrading. We also plan to test the new aboveground storage tank.

Ongoing Activities
We’re continuing odor surveillance with LJB consultants at least three times per day as well as our weekly ambient air monitoring, with data submitted to RAPCA and Ohio EPA. We’re also continuing with our communication plans by providing updates to local officials and issuing potential odor notifications if there is the possibility of an issue as we continue construction and final phases of the cap system operation. The improved website at www.stonyhollowlandfill.com remains available. Please feel free to share this resource.

Cap System Update
While the synthetic capping material is now in place over more than 13 acres, the next step is to create the vacuum seal under the cap, which requires that all penetrations through the cap (like gas wells, for example) be sealed, followed by fine tuning of the gas wells and flares. Our team anticipates completing sealing all gas wells and being able to refine the vacuum under the cap to direct gas to the larger capacity flare, which was installed in December. That work should be completed by the week of January 23. We expect improved odor control once the vacuum is fully applied.

Upcoming Construction Activities
We will continue the completion of the remaining pipe penetration boot installation, miscellaneous storm water management features supporting the capped area and general regrading. We also plan to test the new aboveground storage tank.

Ongoing Activities:

• Conducting odor surveys in the surrounding community at least three times each day, every day and this will continue into 2017. We have seen a reduction in the number of odor complaints received over the last few weeks.
• Conducting weekly ambient air monitoring in 2017.   All air samples have come back normal and have been shared with RAPCA and Ohio EPA.
• Providing Potential Odor Alert Notification to notify the Ohio EPA and other local government officials of any facility malfunctions, power outages or events that may cause the migrations of odors beyond the landfill property.   

Construction Activities:

We have continued on-site construction activities to support the capped area including:

• Completing the installation of a liquid collection pipe and liner.
• Installing gas well pipe penetration boots which will help control odors. 
• Completing installation of the above ground wastewater storage tank.
• Fine-tuning the operation of the secondary gas flare.

Odor Alert Notifications:

This past weekend we issued odor alerts due to high winds disturbing and lifting a small portion of the synthetic cap and requiring realignment of several of the gas collection wells located under the liner.  Crews were dispatched to the site and repairs have been made to the liner and wells were realigned and readjusted. The overall design of the cap includes installation of an additional material called “Wind Defender” which further reinforces cap security. The flares remained operational during these events.

This Week’s Planned Activities:

We plan to continue on-site construction activities to support the capped area including working on installing the gas well pipe penetration boots which will help control odors. 

On November 28, 2016, the Ohio EPA issued an interim order to Stony Hollow establishing several action items on a set schedule. As of today, we have completed all action items on schedule, including:

• Increased odor surveys in the surrounding community to at least three times each day, every day: This has been underway since early December and will continue throughout the holidays and into the new year.
• Conducting weekly ambient air monitoring: This has been underway since early December and will continue throughout the holidays and into the new year. All air samples have come back normal and have been shared with RAPCA and Ohio EPA.
• Established a protocol to notify the Ohio EPA and other local government officials of any facility malfunctions, power outages or events that may cause the migrations of odors beyond the landfill property: Since early December, we have provided weekly project updates to officials and have a protocol in place to immediately notify this group of any issues. We have also met face-to-face with several local leaders to keep them apprised of progress at the landfill.
• Installed backup power sources for the landfill’s gas extraction system and leachate collection system: We have installed backup generators to provide emergency power to ensure continuous operations of critical systems in the event of a major power outage in the area.
• Replaced the secondary gas flare with a larger capacity flare: In early December, we replaced the secondary gas flare with a larger flare to handle additional gas capacity, which will help eliminate more collected gas.
• Completed installation of the temporary synthetic cap: Installation of the cap liner is complete, covering 13.5 acres of the landfill. The next step is to create the vacuum seal, which requires some fine tuning of the gas wells and flares. The team will be working through the holidays and into the new year on establishing a strong vacuum under the cap to direct gas to the larger capacity flare which should significantly help with odors.

Ohio EPA officials have been onsite monitoring our work and collaborating with our team on a long-term odor management plan that they will approve and monitor in 2017.

As we approach the holidays, please know that all of us at Stony Hollow Landfill remain committed to resolving odor issues as quickly as possible. While the landfill is not open for waste disposal on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, our engineers will be closely monitoring all systems and will be on site working on the days and weeks around the holidays. Our daily odor surveys and weekly ambient air monitoring will continue throughout the holidays and into the new year.

Installation of the cap liner is complete, covering 13.5 acres of the landfill. The next step is to create the vacuum seal, which requires some fine tuning of the gas wells and flares. The team will be working through the holidays and into the new year on establishing a strong vacuum under the cap to direct gas to the larger capacity flare which will significantly help with odors.

Landfills like Stony Hollow are engineered with environmental protection systems that meet or exceed rigorous government regulations and are subject to highly regulated monitoring and reporting requirements. These systems include engineered liners and covers, wastewater collection and removal, and landfill gas collection and control.

The animated video below takes you on a tour of a modern landfill and how it’s constructed and managed.

Other resources:
Anatomy of a Landfill
Gas Extraction Well
Leachate Collection System

 

Odor survey monitoring is performed at least three times a day, seven days a week at random times in the morning, afternoon and evening. We are working with environmental specialists from a local Dayton consulting firm, LJB Inc., who are conducting the surveys.

You may see the vehicle in your community as they are performing surveillance. The vehicle is equipped with a flashing light that will be turned on to alert drivers that they are moving slowly and when they pull over to record a surveillance point.

A network of survey points is in place where at each survey point, any odors detected from Stony Hollow Landfill or nearby off-site sources will be recorded.  Weather conditions are also noted including temperature and wind direction. Each odor surveillance record is maintained for agency inspection.

Stony Hollow Landfill is located at 2460 South Gettysburg Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45418 in Montgomery, Ohio.

The Ohio EPA issued the original Permit to Install on January 25, 1995 and the site completed construction and received approval for waste disposal in late December 1995. Total acres permitted is 69.6 acres.

The site represents state of the art best available technology including environmental protective features.

Stony Hollow Landfill has been working very closely with state and local regulators. On November 28, 2016, the Ohio EPA issued an interim order to Stony Hollow Landfill establishing several action items on a set schedule.

We are performing odor surveys in the surrounding community to at least three times each day, every day. We also have a protocol in place to notify the Ohio EPA, the Dayton City Manager and other local government officials of any facility malfunctions, power outages or events that may cause the migration of odors beyond the landfill property. We will provide updates until the conditions causing the specific odor issues have been resolved.

In December, we are conducting weekly ambient air monitoring and are installing backup power sources for the landfill’s gas extraction system and leachate collection system.

Construction of a temporary synthetic cap is underway and a secondary gas flare to handle a larger gas capacity has been installed, which will help eliminate more collected gas.

We continue to work closely with the Ohio EPA on a long-term odor management plan that they will approve and monitor in 2017.