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Cowlitz County public works racing to clear landfill leachate plugs; trucking has moved millions of gallons
Summary
Public Works director Mike Moss said crews have isolated multiple plugs in the landfill leachate line, moved about 1.7 million gallons by tanker and expect to truck roughly 3 million gallons this week; he estimated repair and trucking costs approaching $500,000 so far and outlined infrastructure work to reduce future risk.
Mike Moss, public services director, told the Board of Commissioners that crews and contractors have worked around the clock to clear multiple plugs in the headquarters landfill leachate line and to prevent pond overflows.
"We're actually working on our last 2 known plugs right now and hoping to be able to turn pumps on tomorrow," Moss said, reporting that the second pond holds about 1,700,000 gallons, the first pond is full, and total pond capacity is about 2,500,000 gallons. He said crews have run about 1,700,000 gallons off the hill in tankers so far and expect to truck about 3,000,000 gallons through Friday if the lines are not cleared.
Moss described extensive interagency assistance from the cities of Longview and Kelso and several contractors. He said cameras were put into the line to locate plugs and that crews are planning summer infrastructure work—additional valves, vaults and cleanouts—so maintenance crews can isolate and clear plugged sections more effectively in dry weather.
Asked about costs, Moss said he did not have final invoices but estimated the trucking and repair effort was "probably nearing a half $1,000,000 so far". He said the county will evaluate where to place cleanouts and vaults with engineering input to reduce the likelihood of repeat events.
The effort has increased heavy truck traffic on Headquarters Road and South Silver Lake Road as tankers shuttle wastewater to the Public Works vault, and Moss said the operation will continue at least through the coming Friday. No formal emergency declaration or vote was taken at the meeting; the update was informational and staff said follow‑up reporting will be provided.
