Executive Summary for Site Improvement Priorities for Pinewood Website:
The Pinewood Site Custodial Trust (PSCT) seeks to implement critical improvements and upgrades at the Site in order to continue its commitment to the protection of human health and the environment while fulfilling its fiduciary responsibility to the people of South Carolina to spend money entrusted to it wisely.
A request for funding these improvements is being made to the South Carolina Legislature in the next several weeks. Updates on funding will be posted as information is received.
Section I Landfill Cover System
1. Section I landfill cover system, the oldest landfill unit on the site (constructed in 1978). Section I poses long-term financial and environmental risks due to aging infrastructure, high leachate generation, and compromised cover integrity.
The PSCT recommends replacing the existing cover with a modern ClosureTurf® composite system, which provides:
Significant reduction in stormwater infiltration and leachate generation;Substantial operating cost savings due to reduction of leachate treatment costs;Superior durability, reduced settlement pressure, and lower long-term maintenance requirements compared to a conventional soil-and-grass cap; and Enhanced environmental protection by lowering risk of leachate migration and soil erosion.
The proposed project includes engineering, permitting, construction, stormwater upgrades, and quality assurance oversight.
Estimated Total Project Cost: $10.2 million
Leachate Treatment System Evaporator
2. The Leachate Treatment System Evaporator, the backbone of the treatment system, has been in service since 2012. The corrosive nature of the leachate results in substantial wear and tear on the evaporator and its supporting infrastructure. The Trustee has evaluated several options for possible upgrades or replacement of the existing system. The Trustee recommends the purchase of a complete thermal wastewater evaporation system for the Site. The system includes the evaporator, automation, and safety features, and modular optional systems for foam control, scaling prevention, and corrosion resistance.
A new evaporator is a long-lead item (an item with long fabrication or delivery times) and could take up to four (4) months for the manufacturer to fabricate after the order is placed. While there are some steps the Trustee can take to increase the working life of the existing equipment, the Trustee believes that investing now reduces the risk of a long-term treatment system shut down, the problems and expenses that could result from such a shut down, and is a hedge against future cost increases.
Estimated Total Project Cost: $650,000.00