Projects

ACUA is pursuing a landfill modification to meet the waste management needs of Atlantic County businesses and residents.

The modification will extend the life of the landfill from 2029 to 2040.

It includes filling a 5.74-acre space between two existing sections of the landfill (shown in green below).

Current View:



Proposed Vertical Modification:



The modification will also increase the height of the landfill by 40 ft., allowing us to maximize the existing landfill footprint.  

 

BENEFITS

 

Modifying the landfill will ensure stable waste disposal costs.

Atlantic County municipalities, residents, and businesses rely on the historically low rates provided by ACUA. Without this essential modification, the landfill will reach capacity in 2029.

Transporting waste outside of Atlantic County would destabilize rates, placing an unfair financial burden on municipalities, residents and businesses.

The modification maximizes Atlantic County’s existing solid waste infrastructure, ensuring affordable and controlled rates for the next 15 years.
 

Maximizing the current landfill is better for the environment.

The ACUA landfill operates with extensive lining, leachate collection, and monitoring systems specifically designed to protect the environment. Its landfill gas collection system is continually expanding, and its Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Facility is the leading technology to repurpose landfill gases into renewable energy.

Hauling waste out of county creates additional emissions from transportation, and the same safeguards and innovations may not be available at other landfill sites.
 

Local waste disposal ensures transparency.

As a public government entity, ACUA is invested in offering transparent, accessible, and affordable services. Our board is comprised of County appointed residents and leaders that provide oversight and input into its operations.

Operation transparency diminishes when waste is hauled elsewhere. Private companies set rates based on profits, not what is best for the community. ACUA is accountable to the Atlantic County municipalities, residents and businesses we serve.
 

ODOR MANAGEMENT

Expanding the landfill will not increase odors. ACUA will continue to install landfill gas collection wells, pipes, and capping, which are proven methods for minimizing odors.

ACUA has invested more than $22 million in this system, including more than $8 million in the past two years alone. These efforts have led to a 98% decrease in odor complaints from 2023 to 2025.  

For more information on ACUA’s landfill gas collection and control system, click here.

 

IMPORTANT FACTS

Landfill Operations Are Highly Regulated

ACUA operates a state-of-the-art double-lined landfill with comprehensive systems in place to protect soil and groundwater.
 
Landfill operations are highly regulated by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and the Atlantic County Department of Health.
 
ACUA’s permit requires daily hydrogen sulfide monitoring at the fence line of the property according to wind direction. If H2S is measured at 30 parts per billion (PPB) or greater, then additional monitoring is required.
 
New Jersey developed its H2S limit for landfills (30 ppb over a 30-minute average) to prevent odor nuisances in the community, not health risks. The health risk limit for H2S exposure is much higher and requires sustained exposure. For example, the OSHA workplace limit is 20,000 ppb.

The ACUA landfill has changed shape and size before.

Most recently, landfill walls were added that created additional space for waste. This project cost $18 million and provided 3 years of capacity. By comparison, the current modification is expected to cost $25 million and will provide 11 years of capacity. The current project will provide more value per dollar.

The increase in height will not increase the landfill’s visibility at any new points.

A third-party engineering firm has reviewed the landfill's site lines and determined the increase in height will not increase the landfill’s visibility from any new points in the County.

ACUA’s landfill is the shortest in the state at 115 ft. above ground level. The vertical modification will allow us to add up to 40 ft, bringing the maximum height to 155 ft. above ground level. The graph below compares ACUA’s landfill height to others throughout the state:



 

 

Airport Bird Safety

ACUA follows a comprehensive, documented bird deterrent plan developed by a third-party wildlife biologist with guidance from the NJDEP and FAA.

ACUA’s wildlife biologist and support team monitor bird activity onsite from sun up to sun down, seven days per week, working closely with airport staff. 

ACUA has quarterly stakeholder meetings to review bird activity data with the FAA, the USDA, the NJDEP, the Atlantic City Airport, 177th Fighter Wing – New Jersey Air National Guard, and ACUA’s third-party biologist.

BEYOND LANDFILLS

Alongside the modification, ACUA is procuring waste conversion technology that could transform waste into an energy resource. These include pyrolysis with anaerobic digestion, plasma gasification, and mechanical separation.

The project would provide Atlantic County with a longer-term solution for waste management. While landfilling may still be necessary, it would substantially limit the amount of waste being buried while providing an added benefit to our community. 

ACUA expects to receive formal proposals from three pre-qualified vendors in spring 2025.

ACUA also remains committed to educating and engaging the community in waste reduction efforts. It will expand these efforts by placing a renewed focus on recycling, composting and reuse opportunities.

 

CONTACT US

ACUA is happy to respond to questions from the community. Please contact us at landfill-info@acua.com.