Transfer Station and Materials Recovery Facility - Liquid Waste Management
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Form #: 06-247 Guidance Documents Revised: 1/13/23


Transfer Station and Materials Recovery Facility
Liquid Waste Management


Liquid waste generated by the operation of a solid waste transfer station or materials recovery facility must be disposed of in an approved manner. This liquid waste may result from liquid draining from the solid waste, such as when solid waste that has been exposed to rainfall during collection. It may also include liquid generated during cleaning of the facility. Small quantities of liquid may be collected with absorbents such as hi-dry or sawdust and disposed of with the solid waste.

Options for collection, storage, and disposal of large quantities of liquids are as follows:
  1. Collect liquid in a sump within the facility and dispose of it at a wastewater treatment plant.
  2. Collect liquid in a sump and store it in an above ground tank and later dispose of it at a wastewater treatment plant.
  3. Dispose of the liquid on-site in an approved wastewater treatment facility such as an evaporative pond.
Storage facilities must be designed to minimize risk of leaks and spills. Storage tanks must include secondary containment with appropriate capacity. Secondary containment must be provided for the maximum capacity of the tank and any other liquid or solid waste which may be expected to enter the containment. The construction design of evaporative ponds must include a water balance equation justifying the size and provide 1.5 feet of freeboard. The design of the evaporative pond must include an appropriate liner system. Generally, this liner system would consist of a composite liner or equivalent. The design should include an installation plan and construction quality assurance plan for the liner.

The contingency plan for the facility must incorporate the following plans for liquid waste management:
  1. Storage, handling and disposal procedures of the liquid waste;
  2. Monitoring and inspection of the facility’s liquid waste system;
  3. Maintenance schedule for the liquid waste system; and
  4. Plans for alternative storage, handling, and disposal; accidents; catastrophes; and spills of liquid waste.

On-site treatment will require a permit from the Wastewater Facilities Section of the Department of Environment and Energy.



RESOURCES:

Contacts:
  • NDEE Main Line (402) 471-2186
  • NDEE Toll Free Number (877) 253-2603
  • NDEE Hazardous Waste Compliance Assistant (402) 471-8308
  • Email questions to: NDEE.moreinfo@nebraska.gov

NDEE Publications:


Produced by: Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, P.O. Box 98922, Lincoln, NE 68509-8922; phone (402) 471-2186. To view this, and other information related to our agency, visit our web site at http://dee.ne.gov.