Siting & Permitting, Design & CQA
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Landfills
Many federal and state regulations provide general guidelines for siting, engineering, and designing landfills. LaBella recognizes that each site presents unique characteristics—whether waste-related, topographical, or geotechnical. Our team has evaluated the suitability of potential landfills at numerous locations, initially performing a fatal flaw analysis to identify any site features prohibited by solid waste regulations. If no fatal flaws are found, we move on to assess other siting requirements, including wetlands and Waters of the United States investigations, endangered/threatened species and critical habitat research, and reviews of cultural and archaeological sites.
Upon completing the required hydrogeologic assessment, LaBella uses the data from drilling and water level gauging to finalize the groundwater compliance monitoring network and help establish base grades for the waste unit. With deep expertise in the solid waste sector, our team is skilled in navigating the complexities of landfill design and engineering, particularly in challenging geophysical settings. We also bring extensive knowledge of rock and soil mechanics, ensuring a thorough investigation of subsurface conditions.
Transfer Stations, Convenience Centers, & Materials Recovery Facilities
LaBella provides siting, permitting, design, construction phase services, and operational consulting to ensure the efficient use of transfer stations, convenience centers, and materials recovery facilities.
We partner with our clients to understand the current and anticipated waste stream and work with them to develop a facility that meets those needs. We provide operational and equipment selection consulting to ensure that all aspects of the operation are optimized. You will also gain value from our staff members who have operated these facilities in addition to designing them.
Bid Document Preparation & Contractor Procurement
LaBella develops construction documents for both the construction and closure of solid waste facilities, followed by support during the project bidding phase. This effort includes tasks such as preparing detailed construction drawings based on the 
approved permit or client-approved facility designs, drafting contract documents and technical specifications for the work, conducting pre-bid meetings and issuing contract addenda, reviewing contractor bids, and providing a recommendation for award.
LaBella maintains an extensive database of industry costs and historical data from projects administered by our construction services group. This contract data enables us to deliver precise cost estimates through engineer’s estimates, RFP preparation and evaluation, contract negotiation, cost analysis, and fee structuring services. Our clients benefit from our clear, detailed construction documents, which help reduce contractor questions and minimize the likelihood of change orders during construction.
Construction Management & Administration Services
LaBella is a dedicated partner throughout your project, offering construction management and administration services during the construction phase. In addition to minimizing change orders, our Construction Quality Assurance (CQA) services—including observation, testing, and certification—can help reduce or eliminate the cost of duplicate Construction Quality Control (CQC) services.
We have provided CQA services for a variety of projects, such as new landfill cell construction, landfill expansions, landfill closure caps, landfill gas extraction systems, compost facilities, transfer stations, materials recovery facilities, and convenience centers. Our construction managers and field representatives are well-versed in solid waste management facility construction, field and laboratory materials testing, and safety protocols.
Our field technicians perform moisture, density, and permeability soil tests, as well as testing of geomembranes, geosynthetic clay liners, geocomposites, and geotextiles. We observe, test, and document a range of landfill components, including structural fill, low-permeability soil layers, geotextiles, geocomposite clay liners, geomembranes, geocomposites, leachate collection and drainage layers, pipelines, manholes, and gas vents.
LaBella’s CQA services are backed by our team of architects, geotechnical engineers, and building engineers (MEPS), ensuring comprehensive support throughout your project.
Video Case Study
City of Florence, Alabama
LaBella Associates has partnered with the City of Florence, Alabama on multiple projects throughout the past 8 years. One project that stands out is the re-permitting and redesign of their landfill.
Watch this video case study to learn how LaBella worked with ADEM and the City of Florence to write a permit that allowed for new techniques to be used in landfill facilities across the state of Alabama.
