A Clean Slate: Revolutionizing Utility Waste Management Tanks with SBS Tanks
In the heart of Melissa, Texas, amidst the expansive landscapes, lies a testament to innovation and engineering excellence: the leachate storage project undertaken by North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD). Tasked with the challenge of managing one of the Lone Star State’s largest water districts, NTMWD, together with its general contractor, BELT construction, sought a solution to the formidable task of containing and treating leachate, the byproduct of landfill sites and often described as the “worst of the worst”. Enter SBS Tanks USA, renowned for its expertise in providing cutting-edge water storage solutions focusing on durability, reliability, and performance.
Pioneering a Customized Solution
The project’s magnitude was matched only by its complexity. Municipalities across the globe grapple with the formidable task of managing leachate, the liquid residue generated from landfills and dumpsites. Laden with an array of contaminants, leachate poses significant environmental risks if left unaddressed. Without proper containment and management, leachate can seep into the soil and groundwater, polluting ecosystems and jeopardizing public health. To mitigate these risks NTMWD needed a robust storage system capable of withstanding the corrosive nature of leachate while adhering to stringent regulatory standards. Collaborating closely with SBS Tanks USA, engineers embarked on a journey to craft a bespoke solution tailored to NTMWD’s unique requirements. As an alternative to open leachate ponds, the ST21/03 tank served as local storage for up to 100 000 gallons of liquid, before the state-of-the-art pump systems propelled the leachate to treatment plants miles away. With multiple inlets delivering the repulsive liquid into the storage system, four outlets were added directing the fluid to its final destination, either to the pump station or to overhead filling systems for trucks in case of emergencies.
Engineering Excellence in Action
At the heart of the project lay a dual liner system coupled with a floating roof—a first-of-its-kind innovation in leachate storage. The XR5 liner material, renowned for its chemical resistance and durability, formed the backbone of the system, ensuring the integrity of the storage facility even in the face of harsh environmental conditions. Usually an HDPE lining – a highly chemical resistant plastic, welded together – would be used, but due to the leachate composition and the need for flexibility, the UV impervious and top-notch chemical resistance of the pliable XR5 liner was deemed superior by the three engineering teams on the project. Finally, the floating roof, designed with precision and ingenuity, served as a failsafe barrier against external contaminants, effectively sealing off the tank and safeguarding the surrounding environment.
Resourceful Opportunities and Innovation
The construction process was nothing short of extraordinary, with SBS Tanks’ engineers from South Africa spending weeks on-site to oversee the meticulous installation. Challenges arose, as they often do in groundbreaking endeavors, but SBS Tanks USA rose to the occasion, leveraging their expertise to devise innovative solutions on the ground with the project’s resourceful teams. The result was a seamless integration of technology and craftsmanship, culminating in a storage facility designed to withstand the rigors of landfill environments, integrating into a larger NTMWD leachate treatment system, that not only met but exceeded expectations.
In conclusion, the Melissa leachate storage project stands as a testament to the power of partnership and innovation in addressing the most pressing challenges of our time in environmental stewardship and leaving behind a legacy of innovation and collaboration. By providing a reliable, sustainable solution to NTMWD, SBS Tanks USA reaffirmed its commitment to excellence and its mission to pave the way for a more sustainable future.
SBS Tanks USA focuses on superior quality, competitive pricing and delivery, which, through collaboration, provides municipalities with a wealth of expertise and support throughout the project lifecycle, from design and construction to maintenance and monitoring. Our comprehensive solutions empower authorities to meet regulatory compliance, prioritize environmental protection, and achieve their long-term sustainability goals. Together, we pave the way for a cleaner, healthier future for communities and ecosystems alike.
SBS Tanks® is Africa’s leading manufacturer and supplier of modular steel panel water storage tanks fitted with an internal liquid storage liner. SBS Tanks USA, our branch in the United States, services the USA and Central America market directly from Monroe, Texas. With ISO accreditation (ISO 45001 and ISO 9001) collaborating with a trusted supplier like SBS Tanks USA, can offer professional advice and a variety of premium tank alternatives to satisfy your various commercial needs.
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