Dive Brief:

• The Kandiyohi County landfill in Willmar, Minnesota, will become the first site in the United States to try a new process that cleans leachate using the Apex treatment system.
• The filters will be adopted at the site if the results from a two-week test run are successful. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will determine if the system meets its standards.
• The filter system being tested is currently being used at landfills across Europe. It uses stainless steel pipes, a pump, and filters to treat the leachate.

Dive Insight:

If the landfill decides to go with the new process on a permanent basis, the cost will be between $2 to $3 million. The $58,400 study fee will only be enforced if the system passes through the inspections and does, in fact, save on expenses, otherwise, the county will owe nothing for the test.