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About Heart of Florida Landfill
Heart of Florida (HOF) Landfill opened in the spring of 2013 on a fully permitted 829‑acre site approved by the City of Bushnell in January 2011. Designed as a Class I Landfill, the facility is built to meet the long‑term solid waste disposal needs of Sumter County and the surrounding region.
Facility Development & Cell Construction
The permitted landfill footprint encompasses 280 acres, divided into 19 sub‑cells. Each cell is engineered with a multi‑layer liner system made of natural and synthetic membranes, geotextiles, and drainage materials that work together to protect groundwater.
All liner construction is performed under strict Construction Quality Assurance (CQA) protocols, including extensive soil and materials testing. Every completed cell is certified by an independent professional engineer, and the final CQA report is reviewed and approved by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
Geotechnical & Hydrogeologic Studies
As the landfill expands laterally, HOF conducts detailed hydro‑geologic and geotechnical investigations to ensure ground stability and proper design. These studies use advanced techniques such as:
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
- Microgravity surveys
- Geotechnical borings
Leachate ManagementWater and liquids generated within municipal solid waste—along with rainwater that percolates through the landfill—form leachate. This leachate is collected above the liner system, pumped to an on‑site storage facility, and then transported off‑site for proper wastewater treatment.
Environmental MonitoringTo ensure ongoing environmental protection, HOF is designed with a total of 71 environmental monitoring points
- 41 groundwater monitoring wells
- 30 perimeter gas probes surrounding the facility
Samples are collected as required by the FDEP and are analyzed by an independent laboratory to verify the integrity of the liner system and confirm compliance with regulatory standards.
