COCOPAH SANITARY LANDFILL - Somerton, Arizona Landfill for Solid Waste Management

COCOPAH SANITARY LANDFILL is an operational landfill located in Somerton, Arizona, within Yuma County. The facility manages municipal solid waste for the local community and surrounding areas, operating under the regulatory framework of the US EPA RCRA Subtitle D, which governs municipal solid waste landfills. As a landfill in the United States, COCOPAH SANITARY LANDFILL is subject to federal regulations including landfill gas management under the Clean Air Act and leachate control requirements. The facility's NAICS code 562212 indicates it is a solid waste landfill, typically handling significant tonnages of waste annually. In Arizona, landfills must comply with state-specific environmental permits and monitoring programs. The landfill plays a critical role in waste management for Yuma County, providing disposal capacity for residential and commercial waste. Its location in a desert climate influences operational practices, particularly regarding leachate generation and gas collection. Proper management of landfill gas and groundwater monitoring are key environmental considerations for this facility.

The landfill operates in a desert environment with low rainfall, which reduces leachate generation but increases dust and air quality concerns. Proximity to the Colorado River and agricultural areas necessitates careful groundwater monitoring to prevent contamination. Landfill gas collection systems help mitigate methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, while community proximity requires traffic management and odor control measures.