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Marathon County explores $12M regional treatment plant to remove PFAS from landfill leachate
Summary
Solid Waste staff told the ERC the county faces growing PFAS constraints on leachate disposal, is evaluating reverse osmosis and other treatments and has submitted a Clean Water Fund intent to apply; a regional reverse-osmosis facility could cost about $12 million.
Marathon County’s solid waste director told the Environmental Resource Committee April 29 that rising concern about PFAS compounds in landfill leachate is forcing county staff to evaluate on-site treatment options and regional cooperation to secure long-term disposal capacity.
David Haggenbutcher, director of the Solid Waste Department, summarized the situation: the county is a passive receiver of PFAS from common household products that accumulate in landfill waste and concentrate in leachate. Historically local treatment plants and a now-closed paper mill accepted Marathon County leachate, but several plants have declined or signaled limits amid PFAS testing and regulatory caution.
“That’s the challenge we’re running into — finding a treatment plant that will help us,” Haggenbutcher said. He told ERC staff currently haul…
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