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County presents completion of Buena Vista Landfill reconstruction; final cost $4.513 million
Summary
Public works staff reported completion of Phase 3 Unit 1 reconstruction and expansion of the surface impoundment at the Buena Vista landfill, describing a liner replacement, new cap and pond expansion. Final cost came in at about $4.513 million and staff say technical fixes should protect the closed unit for decades.
Amador County public works staff presented details March 11 on the recently completed Buena Vista Landfill Phase 3, Unit 1 reconstruction and the expansion and re‑lining of the landfill’s Class II surface impoundment.
The county said the reconstructed unit includes a new prescriptive cap (foundation, cap and vegetative layers totaling about 5.5 feet), replacement of the impoundment liner and a 2.5‑foot raise to the impoundment berm to increase pond capacity. Contractors preserved an existing ash foundation layer that county engineers and regulators agreed could remain in place; that decision reduced excavation and disposal costs by an estimated $400,000.
Project history: county staff described recurring groundwater and surface water issues that began after the 2016 storms when water reached an old landfill cover that had developed deep desiccation cracks; the Central Valley Water Board required corrective action and a new water balance. The county pursued Clean Water State Revolving Fund financing and design approvals; the work was bid, mobilized in mid‑2024 and completed after the financing contract was executed. The county reported an estimated project budget of $4.5 million, a bid of approximately $4.0 million and a final project cost of $4,513,000 (about $13,000 over the approved financing level).
Public works staff said the work included replacement of groundwater extraction wells, a new higher capacity liner for the impoundment, improved erosion control measures and a new operational road and electrical upgrades for pumps. Staff also described new leak‑detection testing and a 40‑foot eco‑block stabilization wall where needed. A county engineer credited an on‑site construction quality assurance (CQA) inspector with identifying and resolving issues that saved the county significant expense.
Finance and reserves: staff reported the county has a landfill reserve fund (noted in audited financial statements) of up to $10 million to manage ongoing post‑closure responsibilities. The presentation concluded that the reconstructed cap and new pond should limit future corrective actions for many years; staff said they would seek to reduce the reserve requirement over the next two to three years as long‑term monitoring supports that view.
The item was a presentation; there was no formal board action other than acceptance of the report.
