Overview
Rio Rico MSW Landfill is an operational municipal solid waste landfill in Rio Rico, Arizona, owned by Santa Cruz County. It has been serving the community since 1981 and is expected to remain open until 2041.
Rio Rico MSW Landfill is a municipal solid waste landfill located at 1500 W. Frontage Road in Rio Rico, Santa Cruz County, Arizona. Owned and operated by Santa Cruz County, the facility has been accepting waste since 1981 and is projected to continue operations until 2041. As a landfill, it plays a key role in the region's solid waste management infrastructure. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), specifically RCRA Subtitle D for municipal solid waste landfills, and Clean Air Act regulations for landfill gas. As a landfill in Arizona, it must comply with state and federal standards for liner systems, leachate management, and groundwater monitoring. The landfill's design and operations are typical for a medium-scale facility serving a rural county. The Rio Rico MSW Landfill provides essential waste disposal services for Santa Cruz County and surrounding areas. Its long operational history and planned closure date indicate a well-managed facility with a defined lifecycle. Proper landfill gas collection and leachate control are critical to minimizing environmental impacts, particularly given the arid climate and proximity to the Santa Cruz River watershed.
Environmental context
Landfills in arid regions like southern Arizona face unique environmental challenges. Methane generation from decomposing waste requires effective gas collection systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Leachate management is critical to prevent groundwater contamination, especially in areas with shallow aquifers. The Rio Rico area's proximity to the Santa Cruz River and its riparian habitat underscores the need for robust environmental controls. Community proximity and truck traffic are also considerations for local air quality and noise.
Frequently asked questions
Rio Rico MSW Landfill is located at 1500 W. Frontage Road in Rio Rico, Santa Cruz County, Arizona, USA.
Rio Rico MSW Landfill is a municipal solid waste landfill, accepting household and commercial non-hazardous waste from Santa Cruz County and surrounding areas.
The landfill opened in 1981 and is projected to close in 2041, based on current capacity and waste intake rates.
Municipal solid waste landfills in the U.S. are regulated under EPA's RCRA Subtitle D, which sets standards for location, design, operation, groundwater monitoring, and closure. Landfill gas emissions are regulated under the Clean Air Act.
As a modern landfill, it likely employs a composite liner system, leachate collection and treatment, groundwater monitoring wells, and a landfill gas collection system to control methane emissions and protect local water resources.
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