Floyd-Mitchell-Chickasaw Counties Landfill - Elma, Iowa Solid Waste Management Facility

The Floyd-Mitchell-Chickasaw Counties Landfill is an operational municipal solid waste landfill located at 3354 330th Street in Elma, Mitchell County, Iowa. Established in 1973, it serves the solid waste disposal needs of Floyd, Mitchell, and Chickasaw counties under the management of the Floyd Mitchell Chickasaw Counties Solid Waste Management Agency. As a Subtitle D landfill under the US EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the facility is subject to federal regulations governing liner systems, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring, and landfill gas management. The landfill operates under state permits from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, which enforce compliance with environmental standards for air emissions and water quality. The landfill plays a critical role in regional waste management, providing disposal capacity for rural communities in northern Iowa. Its long operational history since 1973 indicates established infrastructure and community integration. Proper management of landfill gas and leachate is essential to minimize environmental impacts on local groundwater and air quality.

The landfill is situated in a rural agricultural region of northern Iowa, where groundwater resources are vital for farming and drinking water. Leachate management and groundwater monitoring are key environmental concerns, as the site overlies aquifers that may be susceptible to contamination. Landfill gas generation, primarily methane, requires collection or flaring to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and odor impacts on nearby communities. The facility's proximity to agricultural land also necessitates careful management of runoff and erosion.