Hancock County Landfill

3763 County Road 140
Findlay, Ohio 45840nd 50 acres of horizontal est.

This permit was issued in compliance with Federal Subtitle “D” regulations. Such items as ground water monitoring, explosive gas monitoring, site location demonstrations, liner installation, surface water drainage, leachate control, Subtitle D required procedure for testing and operations and they have all been implemented successfully. To satisfy the OEPA requirements, Steven C. Wilson P.E., P.S., the Hancock County Engineer, has been contracted by the commissioners to act as sanitary engineer for the landfill.

The Hancock County Sanitary Landfill is permitted as a Municipal Solid Waste Landfill facility. This means that the facility can accept municipal and industrial solid waste, but no infectious or hazardous waste materials. The average ground elevation is 795 feet and the current vertical expansion will rise to a final elevation of 915 feet.

The landfill operates with two leachate pump stations, each equipped with two 100 gallon per minute pumps which are automatically controlled. The leachate is hauled off site, tested, and treated at the Findlay Water Pollution Control Facility. The landfill has three sedimentation ponds. These ponds collect surface water drainage, sediment settles to the bottom, and the water is then discharged into the Rocky Ford Creek watershed.

Methane gas and ground water are also monitored in the immediate area of the landfill. There are currently 55-methane gas monitoring wells which are tested monthly. There are also 26 ground water monitoring wells, which are tested quarterly.

A Green Energy Alternative:
Methane occurs naturally in landfills when organic waste decomposes. This gas can be removed, processed and used as an alternative to natural gas-either by powering industrial applications directly or as a fuel to generate electricity.

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Here's what makes methane gas recovered from landfills such a compelling option:

• Its's a renewable source of energy. As long as we have solid waste, we'll have methane. Landfills continue producing the gas for 20-30 years after they're closed.
• It doesn't deplete our natural resources.
• It generally costs less to collect and process the natural gas.
• It's easy on the environment because it burns much cleaner than conventional energy sources like petroleum or coal.
• Recovering methane for our energy needs prevents it from emitting into the atmosphere and contributing to global warming.

Landfill-derived methane gas is used primarily in two ways:

As a "direct-use" fuel. Methane gas is recovered by wells drilled into a landfill, transported via a network of pipes to an on-site processing facility, then piped to nearby industrial plants. Typically, the gas is used to fuel boilers, burns or other combustion equipment. To generate electricity. Recovered methane gas also can be used to fuel engine-generators that produce electricity on-site at the landfill. This electricity is then sold to a local utility or other electrical consumers.

When methane gas is used to produce renewable energy, everyone wins.

Here's what's in it for you:

Landfill owners:
Existing or pending legislation requires you to deal with methane gas in some way to minimize its negative impact on the environment. Instead of just burning it off, why not recover, refine and sell it, thereby turning a liability into a source of revenue?

Private industry or municipalities: 
Is a landfill located nearby? If so, you may be able to contract with the producer to provide methane gas directly to your facility. This will ensure a reliable, economical energy source that's dedicated to your needs. Alternatively, you may purchase renewable electricity that's generated at the landfill. Either way, you'll build goodwill among area residents who appreciate your commitment to pursuing energy practices that improve air quality.

Utilities: 
Are you interested in supplementing your electrical power capacity or adding "green power" to your portfolio? Landfill-derived methane gas can be used to generate green/renewable electricity for distribution to your customers who demand a cleaner alternative.

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mailing address: 300 S. Main Street • Findlay, Ohio 45840 • Phone: 419-424-7210 • Fax: 419-424-7416

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