Virginia Lagoon REHABILITATION Project

Previous contractor:

12 months, incomplete

Our timeline:

7 days, 100% complete

Volume added:

<1% from polymer treatment

Result:

Lagoon back in full service

The original contractor used a lime-and-ash method to solidify the lagoon sludge. This approach works in some situations, but it proved far too slow for the massive volume in this lagoon.

After nearly a year:

• Project was nowhere near completion
• Lagoon still out of service
• Production disrupted
• Costs mounting with no end in sight

The facility needed a contractor who could assess the problem, propose a better solution, and finish fast.

Why lime-and-ash failed:

This method mixes powdered lime and fly ash into wet sludge to absorb moisture and create a semi-solid mass. The problems:

• Slow reaction time - Takes days or weeks to fully harden large volumes
• Incomplete solidification - Bottom layers stay wet while top hardens
• High volume increase - Lime and ash add 20-40% to total weight
• Uneven results - Hard surface with liquid pockets underneath
• Equipment limitations - Can't work on partially-set material safely



After 12 months of minimal progress, the client needed a different approach.

We specialize in lagoon cleanouts that combine speed, efficiency, and compliance. Our team did an immediate on-site analysis to find the fastest, most cost-effective solution.

Step 1: Site Assessment

We evaluated the sludge composition, depth, and why the previous method wasn't working. The answer was clear: lime-and-ash was too slow and created too much material to haul away.

Our recommendation: Switch to polymer solidification for instant reaction and minimal volume increase.

Step 2: Dewatering

We pumped down standing water to expose the sludge layer. This step took one day and prepared the lagoon for polymer treatment.

Step 3: Polymer Application

We added 140 tons of specialty polymer to the 8,000 tons of wet sludge.

How polymer solidification works:

The polymer is a specialized chemical treatment that reacts with moisture in sludge. When applied, polymer chains bind with water molecules throughout the material. The chemical reaction happens in minutes—liquid sludge transforms into a firm, stable solid that won't re-liquefy. The solidified mass is strong enough to support heavy equipment and prevents contaminants from leaching during transport.

Key advantages:

• Instant reaction - Material hardens in minutes, not days
• Non-leaching - Metals and contaminants locked in place
• Minimal volume increase - Only 1% added weight vs. 20-40% with lime-ash
• Equipment-safe - Solid mass supports excavators immediately
• Stable during transport - Won't turn back to liquid in trucks

Step 4: Excavation and Transport

With sludge solidified, our HAZWOPER-trained crews used excavators and wheel loaders to remove all material. Everything was loaded into trucks and hauled to an approved disposal facility.

Timeline: 7 days from dewatering to final cleanup.

Step 5: Documentation and Handoff

All waste was manifested and disposed of in compliance with Virginia and EPA regulations. We provided complete Certificates of Disposal for the client's records.

The lagoon was returned to full service immediately upon completion.

How using polymer solidification restored this lagoon to fully operational status so the facility could immediately resume production.

Faster chemistry:

Polymer solidification happens in minutes, not days. We could move equipment onto the solidified mass immediately and start excavating—no waiting for material to cure.

Less material to haul:

Adding only 1% volume vs. 20-40% meant fewer truckloads and lower disposal fees. The client saved money even though polymer treatment costs slightly more per ton than lime-ash.

Proven track record:

We've completed dozens of lagoon cleanouts using this method. We knew it would work because we'd done it before in similar conditions.

No learning curve:

The previous contractor was figuring it out as they went. We brought a proven system and experienced crews who knew exactly what to do.

Full compliance documentation 

We provide complete waste shipment records, disposal certificates, and regulatory documentation ready for EPA or state inspection. Twenty-five years of lagoon projects means your compliance files are audit-ready from day one.

1. Lagoon cleanout and rehabilitation - Complete sludge removal and restoration
2. Polymer solidification technology - Rapid treatment for instant results
3. Heavy equipment mobilization - Excavators, loaders, and transport fleet
4. Project recovery - Taking over stalled or failed projects
5. Compliance documentation - EPA manifests and disposal certifications
   

U.S. Waste Industries provides lagoon cleaning and restoration for:

Manufacturing:

• Chemical processing
• Metal finishing
• Food and beverage
• Pulp and paper

Agriculture:

• Livestock operations
• Dairy facilities
• Food processing

Energy:

• Power plants
• Municipal wastewater treatment
• Industrial pretreatment
  

Help us give you an accurate quote:

Tell us your lagoon size, how deep the sludge is, and what type of liner you have. Photos and site maps help too. Upload them with your quote request.



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