Extensive hydrogeological investigations overseen by state and local regulators, has established that a 40-50 foot thick glacial till (hard pan) is continuous under the landfill footprint and will act as a natural protective barrier between the landfill and the underlying groundwater aquifers.

Further enhancing the natural protection of the site is the presence of a confined (pressurized) aquifer, which underlies the glacial till. In some areas of the site the aquifer pressure is enough to produce artesian conditions. In these areas, when a water well is drilled into the aquifer the water will naturally flow to the ground surface. In the remaining areas of the site the water level rises nearly to the surface.

After the site was thoroughly studied this pressurized aquifer condition was utilized in the landfill design.

After each cell is constructed, groundwater will flow slowly upward from the aquifer to a Leak Detection/Collection System that will underlie the landfill liner.

In the unlikely event of a significant leak in the landfill's engineered leachate collection liner system, this slow upward flow of groundwater will counteract any tendency for landfill leachate to migrate downward towards the underlying aquifer.

For more information about this and other components of our company watch one of our self-guided slide shows.