The Oaks Landfill is approximately 545 acres with a waste disposal footprint of 170 acres. The Oaks Landfill Leachate Pretreatment started operations in 1995, 28 years ago, and has not undergone any renovations or retrofitting since the original construction. It is now in need of new and upgraded pretreatment equipment as the existing equipment is at or beyond their intended useful life. This project includes upgrading the existing facility to install new equipment for processing leachate and untreated stormwater from Countywide stormwater management facilities and address the two per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFOA/PFOS) concentrations detected in leachate produced by the Oaks Landfill.

All design work, including permitting, will be completed in FY25. Construction will be completed in FY26.

Project cost support improvements required to address new State requirements on PFAS and PFOS mitigation.

The Oaks Landfill Leachate Pre-Treatment Plant still uses a 25-year-old processing system which is outdated and operating past its useful life. It also needs to be upgraded and retrofitted with new equipment to improve the wastewater treatment process and to accommodate the additional treatment capacity by expanding the existing oil/grit management facility to support the County's stormwater management maintenance.

This project is needed to protect public health and the environment through the pretreatment of landfill leachate that has the potential to negatively impact groundwater and surface water sources if not managed properly. The County is required to provide for post-closure care and maintenance of landfill facilities and their associated infrastructure, which includes the Leachate Pretreatment Plant.

Maryland Department of the Environment, WSSC Water, Department of Permitting Services, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. This project will require Special Projects Legislation.