8,000 Tons of Lagoon Sludge Removed in 7 Days – Virginia Industrial Facility

U.S. Waste Industries completed a stalled lagoon rehabilitation project in Virginia, removing 8,000 tons of solidified sludge in just seven days—a job that had been dragging on for nearly a year under another contractor. Using proprietary polymer solidification technology, our crews dewatered, stabilized, and hauled away the entire lagoon while adding only 1% volume by weight, keeping disposal costs low and project timelines tight.

The Challenge: A Year-Long Project Going Nowhere

An industrial client in Virginia contacted U.S. Waste Industries after their existing contractor failed to make meaningful progress on a critical lagoon cleanout. The original remediation approach involved adding lime and ash to solidify the sludge—a method that works in some situations but proved far too slow for the massive volume of material in this particular lagoon.

After nearly a year of work, the project was nowhere near completion. The facility needed the lagoon back in service, and delays were costing them both time and money. They needed a contractor who could assess the situation quickly, propose a better solution, and execute it without dragging the project into another year.

Our Solution: Polymer Solidification and Rapid Mobilization

U.S. Waste Industries specializes in lagoon cleanouts that combine speed, efficiency, and compliance. Our team conducted an immediate on-site analysis to determine the fastest and most cost-effective approach. Instead of continuing with the slow lime-and-ash method, we deployed our proprietary polymer solidification technology.

We began by dewatering the lagoon to expose the sludge. Then, we added 140 tons of a specialty polymer agent to the 8,000 tons of wet sludge. This non-leaching solidification agent turned the liquid sludge into a stable solid mass instantly—adding only 1% to the total volume by weight. That minimal volume increase kept disposal costs down while dramatically accelerating the timeline.

Within seven days, our OSHA HAZWOPER-trained crews removed all 8,000 tons of sludge from the lagoon, transported it to an approved disposal facility, and left the site clean and ready for the client to resume operations.

Equipment and Safety Standards

This project required heavy equipment, including excavators and wheel loaders, to handle the solidified sludge efficiently. It was labor-intensive and required precision to avoid damaging the lagoon liner or surrounding infrastructure.

Safety was our top priority throughout the project. All U.S. Waste Industries field personnel are trained under OSHA’s Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standards. Our crews followed strict safety protocols for confined space entry, heavy equipment operation, and hazardous material handling—ensuring zero incidents and full regulatory compliance.

Why U.S. Waste Industries Completes Lagoon Projects Faster

Unlike national waste companies that rely on rigid, one-size-fits-all methods, U.S. Waste Industries brings a logistics-first, family-run approach to every project. We assess each lagoon individually, recommend the best solidification method for the specific sludge composition, and mobilize crews rapidly to meet your timeline.

Our Virginia lagoon project proves the difference: what took another contractor nearly a year to fail at, we completed in seven days. That’s the advantage of working with a team that combines technical expertise, proven solidification technology, and a no-excuses work ethic.

We’ve completed similar lagoon cleanouts across the Southeast and Midwest, helping manufacturers, paper mills, and agricultural facilities get back online fast. Whether you’re dealing with biosolids, chemical sludge, or wastewater sediment, U.S. Waste Industries delivers results you can count on.

Project Results: Speed, Cost Savings, and Zero Downtime

• 8,000 tons of sludge removed in 7 days (compared to nearly a year with the previous contractor)
• Only 1% volume increase from polymer treatment, minimizing disposal costs
• Zero safety incidents – full OSHA HAZWOPER compliance throughout the project
• Lagoon returned to full service immediately upon project completion

Ready to Get Your Lagoon Back in Service?

If you’re facing a stalled lagoon cleanout, dealing with a slow contractor, or need to complete a project on a tight deadline, U.S. Waste Industries can help. Our polymer solidification technology, experienced crews, and nationwide reach make us the go-to partner for industrial lagoon rehabilitation.

Contact us today to discuss your lagoon cleanout needs, or request a quote for fast, compliant service.

📞 Call 800-669-9552 to speak with a lagoon cleanout specialist.

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