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Solid-waste director outlines $12 million reverse-osmosis plan to treat PFAS in landfill leachate; committee briefed on funding options
Summary
Marathon County solid-waste staff described PFAS in landfill leachate, treatment challenges and a proposed on-site reverse-osmosis facility estimated at $12 million for regional capacity; staff said they will pursue Clean Water Fund and other funding but no final county decision was made.
Marathon County Solid Waste staff presented the Environmental Resource Committee an extensive briefing on PFAS in landfill leachate, treatment alternatives and a preliminary plan to build a reverse‑osmosis (RO) treatment facility at the county landfill to manage current and anticipated leachate volumes.
Why the issue matters
Staff explained that PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) accumulate in landfill leachate from everyday consumer products and present a disposal challenge because many wastewater treatment plants are reluctant to accept PFAS-laden leachate due to effluent limits, biosolids concerns and potential future liabilities. The county currently hauls leachate off-site to nearby treatment plants under volume limits (four loads per day to Plover, two to Stevens Point). That off-site hauling approaches operational limits and costs roughly $1 million per year.
Proposed on-site solution and rationale
Soli…
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