Rockingham County Landfill - Municipal Solid Waste Landfill in Harrisonburg, Virginia

Rockingham County Landfill is a municipal solid waste landfill located at 2400 Grassy Creek Road in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Operated by the Rockingham County Department of Public Works, the facility has been serving the region since 1972 and is projected to remain open until 2056. As a landfill, it plays a key role in managing the solid waste generated by Rockingham County and surrounding areas. The landfill operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), specifically Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) which governs municipal solid waste landfills. Compliance with EPA standards includes requirements for liner systems, leachate management, groundwater monitoring, and landfill gas control. The facility's long operational history and planned lifespan indicate a well-established waste management infrastructure in the region. Environmental considerations for this landfill include the management of landfill gas, which is generated by the decomposition of organic waste. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is typically collected and either flared or used for energy recovery. Leachate, the liquid that percolates through waste, must be collected and treated to prevent groundwater contamination. The facility's proximity to the community of Harrisonburg necessitates careful traffic management and odor control to minimize local impacts.

The Rockingham County Landfill is situated in the Shenandoah Valley, an area characterized by karst topography with limestone bedrock, which can increase the risk of groundwater contamination if leachate escapes. The facility must manage landfill gas emissions, primarily methane, through collection systems to reduce greenhouse gas contributions. Proximity to residential areas in Harrisonburg requires effective odor and traffic management to maintain community relations.