500 E. Ridge Road, Suite 202

Griffith, IN 46319

(866) 972-1155

fax: (219) 972-6314

other facilities

Solidification Pits are used at landfills and similar facilities to help prevent the release of harmful chemicals from wastes such as solid, sediment, and sludge.¹  A solidification pit does not destroy the harmful chemicals but rather keeps them from "leaching" into the surrounding environment.¹   Leaching happens when water from rain or other sources dissolved contaminants and carries them down to groundwater supplies or into lakes or streams.¹  Common binding agents include cement, asphalt, fly ash and clay.¹   Solidification pits provide a low-cost method to help prevent exposure to contaminants such as metals and radioactive materials.¹

Example of Solidification Pits

Wastewater treatment facilities are used to convert water that is "no longer suitable for its most recent use" into water that can be reused and returned to the water cycle or disposed.2  The primary treatment process includes:

1.  Screening (removal of wood, rocks, dead animals, etc.),³

2.  Pumping,³

3.  Aerating (shaking waste and expose to air to dissolved gases),³

4.  Removing sludge (sedimentation tank used to settle out wastewater),³

Leachate is liquid that extracts soluble or suspended solids or any other component of the materials through which is passed.⁴  Leachate management is necessary to prevent harmful substances from entering the environment and possibly contaminating drinking water or other environmental concerns.⁴  Landfills leachate collection systems consist of liners, drainage systems, filters, sumps or wells, and membrane/collection for treatment.4  Leachate is either re-injected into the landfill, treated to become freshwater, or sent into the sewage system.⁴