Ohio Lagoon Cleanup Project

Timeline:

5 days total (both lagoons)

Service extension:

5 years → 15 years (200% increase)

Cost avoidance:

Two complete cleanouts eliminated over 15 years

Liner access:

First full inspection in 20 years

This facility operated two clay-lined wastewater lagoons essential to their treatment process. For years, they relied on hydraulic dredging to maintain capacity—but the approach was creating multiple problems:

Operational Issues:

• Short service cycles – Cleanouts required every 5 years instead of the lagoons' 15-year design capacity
• Incomplete removal – Dredging equipment couldn't reach residual sludge, leaving moisture and material that accelerated re-accumulation
• No liner inspection – Residual sludge prevented access to clay liner, leaving potential leaks undetected
• High recurring costs – Frequent cleanouts meant repeated mobilization, equipment rental, and disposal fees

Why Dredging Failed:

Hydraulic dredging uses suction pumps to remove liquid sludge from lagoons. While effective for initial volume reduction, the method has significant limitations:

Incomplete extraction – Pumps can't remove the bottom 6-12 inches of material where sludge adheres to the liner

Residual moisture – Remaining wet material continues biological activity, accelerating new sludge formation

No surface preparation – Dredging doesn't expose or clean the liner surface, preventing inspection and reducing the time until the next cleaning

Limited access – Equipment operates from the lagoon edge, unable to reach corners or sloped areas effectively

The facility recognized they needed a better long-term solution and evaluated multiple contractors. U.S. Waste Industries was selected based on our polymer solidification technology and proven track record extending service intervals.

Instead of surface dredging, we used a method that completely removes sludge down to the liner surface—transforming liquid waste into a stable solid that's safer to handle and prevents re-accumulation.

Step 1: Site Assessment and Planning

Our OSHA HAZWOPER-trained team conducted a pre-mobilization assessment covering:

• Sludge characterization – Depth measurements, composition analysis, and moisture content to determine polymer dosing rates
• Liner condition evaluation – Visual assessment of accessible areas to identify potential concerns
• Access and logistics – Equipment staging areas, haul routes, and disposal facility coordination
• Regulatory review – EPA and Ohio environmental compliance requirements, permit verification
• Timeline optimization – Work sequencing to minimize facility disruption

This assessment allowed us to develop a site-specific plan with accurate material quantities, equipment needs, and realistic timelines.

Step 2: Dewatering

Before sludge treatment, we removed standing water from both lagoons:

• Water was pumped down to expose the sludge layer
• Depending on discharge permits, water was either treated on-site or routed to the facility's wastewater system
• Final water removal continued until only sludge remained

Why dewatering matters: Polymer solidification works on sludge, not water. Removing free water first reduces the amount of treatment chemical needed and improves solidification effectiveness.

Step 3: Polymer Solidification

Once dewatered, we applied a proprietary polymer solidification agent directly to the exposed sludge:

How it works:

• Polymer chains bind with moisture particles in the sludge
• Chemical reaction occurs rapidly (minutes, not hours)
• Liquid sludge transforms into a firm, stable solid mass
• Material becomes non-leaching—metals and contaminants are locked in place
• Solidified mass can support equipment weight for safe excavation

Advantages over dredging:

• Complete removal possible – Solid material can be excavated down to the liner surface
• No re-liquefaction – Once solidified, material remains stable during handling and transport
• Reduced disposal volume – Polymer adds minimal weight (typically <5% volume increase)
• Safer handling – Eliminates liquid waste spills during loading and transport
• Faster execution – Excavation is faster than pumping, and multiple crews can work simultaneously

In this project, the polymer treatment was so effective that solidified sludge supported the weight of our excavators and wheel loaders without equipment sinking or creating access issues.

Step 4: Excavation and Removal

With sludge solidified, our crews used heavy equipment to systematically remove all material:

Equipment deployed:

• Excavators – Long-reach models for deep lagoon access
• Wheel loaders – For loading trucks and moving material within the work area
• Off-road forklifts – Maneuvering in soft or uneven areas
• Dump trucks – Continuous hauling to disposal facility

Process:

• Excavation started at one end and progressed systematically
• Material was loaded directly into trucks for immediate transport
• Corners, slopes, and edges were cleaned manually where needed
• Final pass removed any residual material, exposing the clay liner completely

Timeline: Both lagoons were completely cleared within 5 days of starting excavation—a dramatic improvement over the months-long dredging cycles previously used.

Step 5: Liner Inspection and Final Disposal

With lagoons empty for the first time in 20 years, the facility's engineering team was able to:

• Inspect clay liner integrity – Visual examination for cracks, erosion, or thin spots
• Document conditions – Photos and measurements for maintenance records
• Verify design specs – Confirm liner thickness and proper installation
• Plan repairs (if needed) – Identify areas requiring attention before refilling

Result: Liner inspection revealed no major damage, confirming that proper maintenance (complete removal vs. dredging) preserves liner life.

All removed sludge was transported to an EPA-approved disposal facility in compliance with Ohio environmental regulations. Complete manifests and disposal certifications were provided for the facility's compliance records.

The polymer solidification approach delivered measurable improvements across every project metric:

Timeline and Efficiency

• 5 days – Total project duration for both lagoons (dewatering through final cleanup)
• 15 years – New projected cleaning interval (up from 5 years)
• 200% increase – In time between required cleanouts

Financial Impact

• Two cleanouts eliminated – Over the next 15 years, the facility avoids two complete cleaning projects
• Reduced disposal costs – Polymer treatment added minimal volume (<5%), keeping hauling and tipping fees low
• Minimal downtime – 5-day turnaround meant wastewater treatment resumed quickly

Operational Benefits

• First liner inspection in 20 years – Confirmed structural integrity and informed long-term maintenance planning
• Restored full capacity – Complete sludge removal returned lagoons to original design volume
• Cleaner surface – Exposed liner prevents residual material from accelerating new buildup
• Compliance confidence – Full documentation provided for EPA and state regulatory records

Long-Term Value

By switching from dredging to polymer solidification, this facility:

• Restored lagoons to their designed 15-year service capacity
• Avoided approximately $150,000-$200,000 in future cleaning costs (industry-standard estimates for two additional cleanouts)
• Gained visibility into liner condition, enabling proactive maintenance
• Reduced operational disruption from frequent, lengthy cleaning cyclesThe polymer solidification approach delivered measurable improvements across every project metric:

Timeline and Efficiency

5 days  – Total project duration for both lagoons (dewatering through final cleanup)

15 years – New projected cleaning interval (up from 5 years)

200% increase – In time between required cleanouts

Financial Impact

• Two cleanouts eliminated – Over the next 15 years, the facility avoids two complete cleaning projects
• Reduced disposal costs – Polymer treatment added minimal volume (<5%), keeping hauling and tipping fees low
• Minimal downtime – 5-day turnaround meant wastewater treatment resumed quickly

Operational Benefits

• First liner inspection in 20 years – Confirmed structural integrity and informed long-term maintenance planning
• Restored full capacity – Complete sludge removal returned lagoons to original design volume
• Cleaner surface – Exposed liner prevents residual material from accelerating new buildup
• Compliance confidence – Full documentation provided for EPA and state regulatory records

Long-Term Value

By switching from dredging to polymer solidification, this facility:

• Restored lagoons to their designed 15-year service capacity
• Avoided approximately $150,000-$200,000 in future cleaning costs (industry-standard estimates for two additional cleanouts)
• Gained visibility into liner condition, enabling proactive maintenance
• Reduced operational disruption from frequent, lengthy cleaning cycles
  

Many facilities assume dredging is the only option for lagoon maintenance, but it's often the least effective long-term solution. Here's the technical comparison:

U.S. Waste Industries provides lagoon cleaning and polymer solidification services for industrial and municipal facilities, including:

Manufacturing:

• Chemical processing wastewater
• Metal finishing and plating
• Food and beverage processing
• Pulp and paper mills

Agriculture:

• Livestock and poultry operations
• Dairy waste lagoons
• Food processing byproducts

Energy and Utilities:

• Power generation facilities
• Municipal wastewater treatment plants
• Industrial pretreatment systems

Common lagoon types we service:

• Clay-lined lagoons (like this project)
• Synthetic liner systems (HDPE, EPDM)
• Concrete-lined basins
• Unlined settling ponds (where permitted)

Services Demonstrated in This Project

This Ohio lagoon cleanup showcased multiple technical capabilities:

1. Pond and lagoon cleanout services – Complete dewatering, solidification, and excavation
2. Polymer solidification technology – Proprietary treatment for volume reduction and complete removal
3. Heavy equipment mobilization – Excavators, loaders, trucks, and specialized lagoon access equipment
4. Hazardous and non-hazardous waste management – Proper characterization, manifesting, and disposal
5. Compliance documentation – EPA reporting, disposal certifications, and regulatory coordination
   

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. You can upload them with your quote request.

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