Black Hawk County Sanitary Landfill - Waterloo, Iowa Solid Waste Management Facility

Black Hawk County Sanitary Landfill is a municipal solid waste landfill located at 1509 E Washburn Rd in Waterloo, Iowa. It serves Black Hawk County and the surrounding region, providing essential waste disposal services. The facility is currently operational and is classified under NAICS codes 562211 (Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal) and 562212 (Solid Waste Landfill). As a landfill in the United States, this facility operates under the regulatory framework of the US Environmental Protection Agency's RCRA Subtitle D, which governs municipal solid waste landfills. It must comply with standards for liner systems, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring, and landfill gas management. The Clean Air Act also requires landfill gas collection and control for larger facilities to reduce methane emissions. The landfill plays a critical role in the region's waste management infrastructure, handling waste from residential, commercial, and industrial sources. Its location in Waterloo, a city in northeastern Iowa, places it within a mixed urban and agricultural area. Proper management of leachate and landfill gas is essential to protect local groundwater and air quality.

The landfill is situated in Waterloo, Iowa, within the Cedar River watershed. Groundwater protection is a key environmental concern, as leachate from the landfill could potentially impact local aquifers. The facility must implement robust leachate collection and treatment systems to prevent contamination. Additionally, landfill gas, primarily methane, is generated from decomposing waste; proper collection and flaring or energy recovery help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and odor impacts on nearby communities.