Leachate volumes easing from 2024 peak; Tompkins staff to revisit on‑site treatment and permit renewal

Leo, representing the county recycling and materials management team, briefed the Planning, Energy and Environmental Quality Committee on June 9 about landfill leachate volumes and costs. Staff said the 2025 budget is based on a three‑year average and that the budgeted figure for the year is 1,000,916 gallons.

Staff presented three data lines: 2024 actual monthly volumes (which included a marked spike), the 2025 budget (three‑year average) and year‑to‑date 2025 actuals with a projection to year end. Leo told the committee that, to date, 2025 volumes and expenses are lower than the 2024 peak year and staff do not currently expect to match last year’s high‑volume, high‑cost period.

Committee members asked whether recent precipitation patterns would affect volumes and whether landfill cap maintenance might play a role. Staff said precipitation does affect volumes but that cap condition, vegetation maintenance and potential on‑site treatment options also matter. Staff recalled prior engineering reviews of on‑site treatment systems and said they will “dust off” earlier analyses (circa mid‑2010s) and schedule a discussion with the committee’s work plan and the county’s engineers to reassess costs and feasibility.

Staff also reported they received a draft operating permit renewal from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and are preparing comments. The committee discussed a landfill tour (Caswell) scheduled for July 11 and invited legislators to participate. No formal committee action was taken on leachate; staff will return with additional analysis if requested.