RAILROAD ST Landfill - Winterhaven, California Solid Waste Management Facility

RAILROAD ST is a landfill facility located at 518 Railroad St in Winterhaven, California, within Imperial County. It is currently operational and manages solid waste disposal for the surrounding community. The facility is classified under NAICS code 562212, which covers solid waste landfills. As a landfill in California, RAILROAD ST operates under the regulatory framework of the US EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle D, which governs municipal solid waste landfills. State-level regulations from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) also apply, including requirements for liners, leachate collection, and groundwater monitoring. The facility likely employs standard landfill technologies such as compaction, daily cover, and gas management systems. The landfill plays a key role in managing solid waste from Winterhaven and the broader Imperial County area. Its environmental significance includes potential methane generation from decomposing waste, which is typically captured or flared to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Proximity to the Colorado River and agricultural lands underscores the importance of leachate management and groundwater protection.

Winterhaven is located in the Sonoran Desert near the Colorado River, with a hot arid climate. Landfills in this region must manage leachate carefully to protect groundwater resources, especially given the proximity to the river. Methane emissions from decomposing waste are a concern, and gas collection systems are typically required to mitigate climate impact. The facility's location in a rural area may reduce community proximity issues but still requires traffic management for waste hauling.