COLUMBUS — “As oil and gas drilling activity in the Utica and Marcellus shale formations increases, licensed municipal solid waste landfills in Ohio and surrounding states should expect to see increased volumes of incoming solid wastes generated from the drilling process, including drill cuttings, drilling muds, and frac sands. Other wastes associated with shale development, including oilfield fluids and brine, will also be generated in large volumes, and there is an increasing interest from drilling companies in exploring options to manage these liquid wastes. Because solid waste landfills are prohibited from accepting bulk liquids and waste streams not passing the paint-filter test, these waste streams would require solidification or other processing in order to be received for disposal.
Given the anticipated increase in disposal of drilling wastes and interest of onsite solidification by landfill operators, the Division of Materials and Waste Management (DMWM) is providing this advisory to share regulatory guidance to support compliance at licensed landfills. In an effort to assist landfill operators to obtain necessary authorizations, this advisory also summarizes regulatory programs administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management (DOGRM) and Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Bureau of Radiation Protection (BRP).”
— Pamela S. Allen, Chief, Division of Materials and Waste Management
