In May 2022, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted 6-0 to approve a request by the Sanitation Department for $21.2 million for the construction of a new, 22-acre replacement cell at Seminole Landfill.
A $21 million replacement cell at Seminole Landfill has been under construction since November 2022.
Construction of the new cell began in November 2022 and is expected to be completed by June 1. The location of the cell, or waste disposal area, is within the existing footprint of Seminole Landfill, which has been in operations since 1977.
Once construction is completed, the Sanitation Department will seek approval to open the new cell from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD).
EPD inspections, professional engineer certifications and the construction quality assurance report for the new cell are expected to be submitted to EPD by June 1.
Upon EPD approval, the Sanitation Department will discontinue operations in the cell located nearest the Rock Mill neighborhood.
Once operations discontinue in the current cell, no additional solid waste will be placed near this community. The cell will be covered with dirt and grass will be planted on top of it.
To mitigate odors, at the end of each day, the cell is covered with compost.
The current cell is located adjacent to the 200-foot buffer and the location of the new cell 300 feet from the buffer is expected to decrease the odors that residents are experiencing.
Some of the gas odors residents have noticed was due to the installation and construction of a new gas collection and control system required by state law. This project, which is 80 percent complete, contains 44 methane gas wells drilled to safely collect methane from the ground.
1300 Commerce Drive Decatur, GA 30030
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