NEWSVT Landfill

Landfill Monitoring & Permitting Project

WHEM has proudly supported Casella Waste Management for nearly four decades at their New England Waste Services of Vermont (NEWSVT) landfill in Coventry. The NEWSVT landfill is Vermont’s only active municipal solid waste landfill. Since the mid-1980s, WHEM has been responsible for all major hydrogeologic site characterizations, permitting support, and ongoing environmental monitoring at the facility.

WHEM’s work at NEWSVT has included extensive groundwater modeling and site characterization for the permitting of all lined landfill cells. This includes the most recent expansion (Phase VI) which received Vermont Solid Waste Management Program approval following rigorous hydrogeologic and environmental review. Earlier work also addressed legacy issues from unlined portions of the landfill from ownership prior to Casella, including site-specific remediation strategies.

WHEM continues to lead the compliance monitoring program, which includes the following:

  • Semi-annual sampling of groundwater quality compared to Vermont Groundwater Enforcement Standards;
  • Semi-annual sampling of surface waters and underdrain discharges compared to Vermont Water Quality Standards;
  • Quarterly sampling of leachate quality compared to Vermont and New Hampshire standards for proper disposal;
  • Coordination and evaluation of all laboratory water quality results for regulatory reporting to the State of Vermont Solid Waste Management Program;
  • Technical support and expert testimony at State and local environmental hearings.

WHEM is deeply integrated with the broader environmental team at NEWSVT, working collaboratively with Casella personnel to ensure that operations align with Vermont’s regulations, while supporting Casella’s mission as a leader in sustainable waste management. WHEM’s work helps ensure that the landfill is not only protective of human health and the environment, but also a model for responsible waste infrastructure in New England.

WHEM is proud to contribute to one of Vermont’s most critical and closely monitored environmental facilities, where science, engineering, regulation, and long-term sustainability come together.