The Newton Sanitary Landfill operates as a landfill by receiving a permit from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. One of the requirements of the permit is the leachate lines need cleaning every three years. Operationally we should wash one-third of the leachate lines each year, rather than cleaning all at once. The leachate line cleaning for this year is now complete as the junction boxes were also jetted clean with water and vacuumed out.
During this time, maintenance on the pump stations and pump repairs or replacement are completed. The cleaning prolongs pump life and ensures a better flow from the leachate field where the leachate is eventually pumped from the landfill to Wastewater Pollution Control for treatment.