Questioning Fostoria’s Intake of Win Waste’s Toxic 50,000 Gallon Leachate Spill

In a recent environmental incident in Seneca County involving the spill of 50,000 gallons of leachate. This article aims to probe deeper into the actions taken and questioning various aspects of the actions taken.

The Leachate Spill Scenario:
Win Waste Innovations’ leachate spill, amounting to 50,000 gallons, the leachate was claimed to have been diluted with 3,000,000 gallons of stormwater. This reduced the leachate concentration to approximately 1.67%. However, this math implies that 338 tanker loads at a minimum would have been used to move the waste.

• Testing and Filtration: Was the leachate tested to determine its composition before dilution or filtration? Leachate from landfills often contains a complex mixture of chemicals and contaminants, including PFAS, which are notoriously difficult to remove from water. If the leachate wasn’t properly analyzed, how could the city ensure that dilution alone would mitigate the environmental risks?
• Capacity and Transport: Given that a standard tanker in the U.S. holds a maximum of about 9,000 gallons/80,000 lb payload limit, not to forget the the weight of the 18-wheeler,  the logistics of moving such a volume of water (3,050,000 gallons in total) would require over  400 trips. This logistical action not only questions the feasibility but also the environmental footprint of such an operation.

Environmental and Legal Considerations:

• H2Ohio Program: Fostoria is part of the H2Ohio initiative, aimed at improving water quality across the state, particularly in areas like the Portage River. The program focuses on reducing phosphorus and algae blooms, but what about persistent pollutants like PFAS? How does handling this spill align with the objectives of H2Ohio, especially when the Portage River is potentially at risk?
• PFAS Management: PFAS chemicals are known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment. Conventional water treatment does not effectively remove these substances. If the city accepted this leachate, what measures were in place to ensure that PFAS wouldn’t contaminate the river further?
• Sewer Line Usage: Did this diluted leachate re-enter the municipal sewer system? If so, this could imply that the wastewater treatment plant was used to manage the spill, potentially overburdening existing infrastructure designed for domestic and commercial waste, not industrial leachate.

Accountability and Public Health:

• Recurrence of Issues: This isn’t the first time Fostoria has dealt with environmental issues from Win Waste Innovations. Why does the city continue to take on the responsibility for managing these spills?
• Community Impact: Have there been assessments on how this spill might affect local wildlife, drinking water, and overall public health? The long-term effects of PFAS exposure are still being understood, but the potential risks are significant.

The management of the 50,000-gallon leachate spill by the City of Fostoria raises numerous concerns about environmental stewardship, public health, and legal accountability.

The methods used, the lack of transparency regarding testing and treatment, and the repeated acceptance of industrial waste problems demand a critical examination.

Local authorities, environmental agencies, and Win Waste Innovations should provide clearer answers on the safety, effectiveness, and necessity of their actions.

Only through rigorous scrutiny and public discourse can we ensure that such incidents are not just managed but are prevented in the future, protecting both the environment and the community of Fostoria.