HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-078-E-Solid Waste-TRCcompanies-Orange County Regional Landfills Closed MSW Landfill Leachate PFAS Study – Phase 2
Task Order Request
Revised
TO: Mr. Robert Williams
Orange County Solid Waste
FROM: David Garrett, PG, PE
Senior Project Manager
DATE: February 19, 2026
SUBJECT: Orange County Regional Landfills
Closed MSW Landfill Leachate PFAS Study – Phase 2
Bench-Scale Leachate Treatment Study (ECT2)
Proposal for Laboratory & Engineering Services
TRC Proposal No. TBD
Estimated Fee = $49,200
2025 PN: 704501
At your request, TRC Engineers, Inc. (TRC), is pleased to offer this proposal for a second phase of the
Leachate PFAS Study at the closed MSWLF unit (South landfill), located at the Orange County Regional
Landfill Facility (Facility) on Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill, NC. This proposal outlines our understanding
of the project scope, tasks to be completed, assumptions underlying our proposal, and anticipated fees.
PROJECT UNDERSTANDING:
The project will partner TRC with a vendor, Emerging Compounds Treatment Technologies (ECT2) to
perform a detailed treatability evaluation of the South landfill leachate. The initial stage sampling
detected PFAS in the leachate. While there are currently no compliance standards for leachate, TRC
has advised Orange County Solid Waste Management (OCSW) that regulations are being established
that follow US EPA guidelines for drinking water. We believe standards for PFAS in leachate will be
imposed as a pretreatment requirement by the receiving wastewater treatment plant, operated by
Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA). There are uncertainties at play: which PFAS will require
treatment and what levels of removal are necessary for pretreatment.
TRC presented recommendations for the second phase of the evaluation to OCSW in September 2025.
ECT2 would need larger samples of the leachate (~200 gallons, or more), returned to their laboratory
for site specific bench-scale trials of their various proprietary processes and reagents. Using the test
results, combined with OCSW’s flow meter data, TRC and ECT2 will be able to define treatment costs
Docusign Envelope ID: 7BBC917B-EAAD-41A1-899F-622B1233BDFC
Mr. Robert Williams
February 19, 2026 – Landfill Leachate PFAS Study – Phase 2 Revised
Page 2 of 5
and performance expectations. The test findings and cost estimates will be communicated only to
OCSW officials and not made public, except at OCSW’s behest. Meanwhile, TRC will continue to
monitor the regulations (at no cost to OCSW) and continue our participation in coordination meetings
with OWASA.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
Task 1 – Large Sample Acquisition: TRC will coordinate with OCSW and ECT2 on sample procurement.
Depending on the requirements, TRC is setting aside budget to oversee or physically procure the
sampling with ECT2’s oversight. The samples will likely require one or more 275-gallon Intermediate
Bulk Containers (a.k.a. “totes”), specialty PFAS-free pumps and hoses, sourced as specified by ECT2, and
medium-duty truck transport. The leachate samples will be collected by TRC and delivered to ECT2’s
laboratory in Fuquay-Varina, NC. Earlier flow meter readings furnished by OCSW in mid-2025 indicate
a probable flow rate of 1,300 to 2,000 gallons per day, but in late 2024 the leachate was not flowing.
Thus, we anticipate setting up the tote on the back of a flatbed truck or trailer and letting the sampling
pump run for a few hours to a couple of days with periodic supervision.
Task 2 - PFAS Treatability Bench Testing: This task will be conducted by ECT2 under a subcontract to
TRC, in accordance with a scope described in the attached supplemental proposal. ECT 2 has
proposed two stages of work, which warrants explanation:
• Stage 1 FOAM-X Concentration Bench Study
• Stage 2 Three-point Isotherm Bench Study
Stages 1 and 2 are the prescribed and originally recommended bench-scale treatability study
outlined in TRC’s Leachate PFAS Final Draft Report dated September 15, 2025. Stage 1 evaluates
the foam concentration process with three di1erential scenarios involving ECT2’s proprietary
process and admixtures, i.e. “boosting” agents, along with laboratory testing to assess the
e1ectiveness of the separation process. Stage 2 evaluates the e1icacy of di1erential adsorption
media on the foam concentrate with laboratory analytical testing. Though priced separately, these
stages work in tandem to evaluate PFAS reduction potential in the leachate, as if it were a
“pretreatment” process prior to discharge to OWASA.
The combined cost for Stages 1 and 2 is $30,300. This cost excludes the acquisition of one tote of
leachate and transportation to/from the lab in Fuquay-Varina, NC.
We believe this work will require 6 to 8 weeks to complete after ECT2 receives the samples. TRC will
provide sufficient oversight to thoroughly understand the various trials, but we may not be able to
communicate details of proprietary equipment, admixtures, holding times, and such. The earlier
version of this task order prepared in October 2025 included scaled up field trials of a destructive
process (by Axine) using treated and untreated leachate. This third-party testing is not included in
this revised Task Order.
Docusign Envelope ID: 7BBC917B-EAAD-41A1-899F-622B1233BDFC
Mr. Robert Williams
February 19, 2026 – Landfill Leachate PFAS Study – Phase 2 Revised
Page 3 of 5
Task 3 - Reporting and Project Management: ECT2 will perform foam concentration bench testing per
the supplemental proposal. The bench trial will evaluate 3 different flow scenarios for this treatment
pathway, i.e., how many runs through the Foamate™ process are required to achieve the desired level
of PFAS removal. Next ECT2 will perform a 3-Point Isotherm bench study on three different medias
(GAC, Ion Exchange resins SORBIX PURE LC3 and LC5). The Isotherm tests will determine the optimum
capture medium for later destruction or isolation – evaluation of mechanisms for destruction and/or
isolation are not included in this scope of work. ECT2 assumes PFAS analysis via EPA1633. ECT2’s lab
for included PFAS analytical testing, Enthalpy Analytical, is DOD-ELAP certified.
TRC will provide OCSW with progress reports during the sample acquisition and bench testing. Upon
completion, we will prepare a summary of recommendations for the treatment (or pretreatment)
process. The report will describe in brief what treatment process is believed to be effective, the
approximate costs and logistics of implementing systems in the field, including access and power
requirements, and estimated yearly operating costs. The costs depend mainly on which PFAS need to
be reduced or eliminated in the leachate discharge to OWASA, how often the system needs to be
serviced (treatment chemicals exchanged), where and how the spent chemicals need to be treated,
renewed, or disposed, consistency of the leachate flow rate, and not least, what add-on processes
OCSW might want (such as treatment of Volatile Organic Compounds or metals) prior to discharge.
SCHEDULE: The following schedule is contingent on when TRC receives the authorization, weather
conditions for sampling, coordinating with our subcontractor, i.e., how busy the lab is, and OCSW’s
budgetary or scheduling concerns. TRC believes we can initiate sample acquisition within two weeks
to four weeks after receiving authorization from OCSW. TRC recommends allowing two weeks’
calendar time for preparation, procurement and delivery. TRC anticipates completion of this phase of
work during the second quarter of 2026.
FEES: TRC will invoice Orange County monthly on a time and materials basis for our services, with the
following recommended not-to-exceed costs. We need to complete our arrangement with the
subcontractor with respect to their payment requirements. Typically, we ask for a 10% markup on
subtractor invoices. ECT2 may wish to be paid in increments, once at the end of the testing phase, or
roll the testing costs into an implementation stage. The budget presented below is a placeholder.
OCSW may wish to reduce these costs by assisting Task 1, for instance if OCSW can provide a truck or
trailer and driver, TRC will not incur these costs.
1. Sample Acquisition ......................................................................................... $6,700
2. Laboratory Bench-Scale Testing* .................................................................. $30,300
3. Reporting and Project Management ............................................................. $ 9,500
Note: the budget includes allowances for reimbursable costs (mileage, equipment, printing).
Subcontractor and equipment expenses are subject to a 10% markup.
Docusign Envelope ID: 7BBC917B-EAAD-41A1-899F-622B1233BDFC
Mr. Robert Williams
February 19, 2026 – Landfill Leachate PFAS Study – Phase 2 Revised
Page 4 of 5
DELIVERABLES: The project deliverables will consist of summary recommendations presented in
memorandum format to OCSW officials. At OCSW’s request, we will meet with other County officials,
e.g., County Manager, OWASA, to support OCSW’s interests.
EXCLUSIONS: TRC does not anticipate public meetings or interactions with the media for this stage of
the project. If such work is required, we provide those services under a future separate task order.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: TRC will provide the proposed services in accordance with the terms and
conditions within the existing service agreement between Draper Aden Associates (now TRC) and
Orange County Solid Waste Management.
CLOSING: TRC appreciates the opportunity to work with Orange County on this important project, and
we look forward to providing our services. Please tell us if you have questions or need more information
about our proposal.
Sincerely,
G. David Garrett, PG, PE
Senior Project Manager
cc: Tyrus Clayton, PE (TRC)
Docusign Envelope ID: 7BBC917B-EAAD-41A1-899F-622B1233BDFC
Mr. Robert Williams
February 19, 2026 – Landfill Leachate PFAS Study – Phase 2 Revised
Page 5 of 5
Orange County Solid Waste
Closed MSW Landfill Leachate PFAS Study – Phase 2
Draper Aden Associates Proposal No. 704501
AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED
_____________________________________________ ________________
Orange County Solid Waste Management Date
THIS INSTRUMENT HAS BEEN PRE-AUDITED IN THE MANNER REQUIRED BY THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT BUDGET AND FISCAL CONTROL ACT:
____________________________________________ ________________
Office of the Chief Financial Officer Date
THIS SCOPE OF WORK IS SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT DATED
FEBRUARY 22, 2017
BETWEEN DRAPER ADEN ASSOCIATES AND ORANGE COUNTY.
____________________________________________ _______________
C. Tyrus Clayton, Jr., PE Date
50351020-80500
Docusign Envelope ID: 7BBC917B-EAAD-41A1-899F-622B1233BDFC
3/2/2026
3/2/2026
3/2/2026