We are continually investing in the facility to install systems designed to reduce the potential for offsite impacts from the operation. WM engages with a variety of internal experts and third party consultants and contractors to assist in the design and installation of engineered solutions to control off site odors and reduce the conditions that produce them.
We engage with third party engineers and scientists to monitor the facility and are regulated and monitored by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). Examples of facility improvements include:
Gas Collection System
Even though Southern Services is a Construction and Demolition Debris (C&D) facility and does not accept household waste, there are some gases that have potential to cause offsite odors. We have made several infrastructure enhancements to the site to collect and control emissions which include:
- In 2019 a series of 12 wells fitted with individual flares were installed at the landfill to allow for the passive collection and combustion of gases generated
- This system was expanded and upgraded in 2020 to include over 6000 feet of perforated and solid collection pipe installed just below the surface of the landfill. This piping network directs collected gases to three flares stations equipped with blower fans designed to combust the gas and assist in odor control
- We continue to work closely with Metro Public Health Department and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation as well as other regulators and multiple consultants and contractors in every phase of this project to ensure compliance with all standards and regulations.
Cover and Seeding
Cover soils help to control odors by sealing the outside of the landfill so that any gases and odors can be directed to the odor control system. The site is continually placing cover soils on areas that are not actively receiving C&D debris. The slopes that are at a final grade also are seeded to reduce the potential for erosion.
Odor Misting System
We have upgraded and installed multiple odor control misting systems. These systems use a water based non-toxic neutralizer to help control any odors that may be generated from the active working area of the landfill.
Community Surveys
WM has engaged with a third party environmental company to perform daily surveys of the area surrounding the facility to gauge the effectiveness of the site improvements, and to identify any offsite odors from the facility or other local non-landfill sources.
The surveys are conducted at different times during the day, five days per week. Any potential landfill related odors identified during the surveys are reported to site personnel so that the source can be identified and if possible, the source of the odor is eliminated.
