Leachate found at landfill

FOSTORIA—An unplanned leachate of hazardous materials was reported at WIN Waste Innovations of Seneca County landfill Monday after being discovered by employees. Ben Nutter, of WIN Waste which operates the landfill property said in a recent statement about the incident that upon learning of the leachate, "WIN self-reported to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Seneca County General Health District" with both regulating agencies visiting the landfill on Tuesday, confirming that "no additional release or impact on surrounding air, water or soil quality." He was very clear that none of the leachate material left the landfill property. Nutter later said WIN "takes compliance matters seriously and our priority is to continue ensuring full adherence to all regulations and standards." The Advertiser-Tribune was told the OEPA would be taking the lead of the investigation, but Nutter advised WIN is in the middle of conducting an investigation to "mitigate a repeat occurrence" and estimated a clean-up effort would be completed next week. Erika Handru of the Seneca County General Health District said the OEPA estimated 53,000 gallons of leachate spilled. The SCGHD, WIN Waste and the OEPA are working diligently to ensure the spill is properly contained and cleaned. "Once the excavation of soils and pumping of water out of the sedimentation pond is completed, OEPA will do soil samples to ensure no leachate remains after clean-up," Handru said.