THE CITY OF NASHUA “the Cate City’
Diviston of Public Works
Said Waste Department
August 26, 2021
MEMO
From: Jeff Lafleur, Superintendent, Solid Waste Dept.
To! Kelly Parkinson, Purchasing Manager
ce: Carolyn O’ Connor, DPW Finance & Administration Manager
RE: Sole Source for Landfill Gas System Construction
SCS Field Services
The Nashua Solid Waste Department is permitted by the New Hampshire
Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) to operate the Four Hills
Phase I/II/III municipal solid waste landfill. The Four Hills
facility provides solid waste disposal and recycling services to the
residents and businesses of Nashua.
Four Hills operates under both solid waste and air emission permits
administered by NHDES. One of the requirements of these permits is to
control landfill gas emissions from the landfill. Uncontrolled gas
emissions are a source of air pollution and foul odors, and are
potentially explosive.
To collect and control landfill gas emissions, the Solid Waste
Department operates a landfill gas collection system in the Phase
I/II/III landfill. This system consists of a series of horizontal and
vertical perforated pipes {wells) installed in the waste mass, which
are connected to a vacuum source. Gas is extracted through the wells
under vacuum and is directed to an on-site landfill gas-toc-energy
facility or flare where it is combusted.
The Solid Waste Department is required to expand the gas collection
system as the waste mass grows and as needed to control gas emissions
and odors. Typically, an expansion of the system is constructed
annually. The process to secure funding through bonding, design, bid,
receive board approvals and construct an expansion can take up to six
months.
The length of time it takes to get an expansion constructed can be
problematic if we are getting numerous complaints of odor from the
surrounding neighbors, are up against an NHDES deadline to implement
corrective actions to address excess emissions, or under threat of a
Notice of Violation.
840 West Hollis Street » Nashua, New Hampshire 03062 * Phone (603) 589-3410 « Fax
(603) 589-3448
