Grand Valley Instrumentation, Colorado landfill partner to test landfill gas management system

Grand Valley Instrumentation, a Colorado-based gas detection equipment provider, and the Mesa County Landfill in Grand Junction, Colorado, have partnered to test Grand Valley Instrumentation’s Meerkat Monitoring System, which could replace the need for manual sampling and tuning of landfill gas wellheads once certified, according to the company.

The system is an autonomous wellhead monitoring and tuning device, continuously monitoring landfill gas and sending alerts when thresholds are exceeded. The Meerkat system also connects to a cloud-based platform for remote oversight and compliance reporting data.

Rikki Cook, Grand Valley Instrumentation co-founder, says the digital platform allows operators to monitor the entire wellfield remotely.

“Unlike other systems on the market, the Meerkat Landfill Gas Management System features a noninvasive installation that requires no modification to existing wellheads,” she says. “Installation is fast, and as part of the annual subscription, each unit is replaced with a freshly calibrated device, removing the need for on-site recalibration or servicing. … We aim to be more affordable than our competitors, making it a practical solution for smaller landfills and those planning future wellfield expansion.”

Cook says Meerkat’s autonomous tuning could improve gas quality and capture efficiency, potentially increasing revenue from renewable natural gas and carbon credit projects.  

Installed on five wellheads around the facility, the Meerkat Monitoring System will measure landfill gas alongside the Mesa County Landfill’s U.S. Environmental Protection Agency- (EPA-) certified analyzer. The data from both tools will be collected over several months and statistically analyzed by Colorado Mesa University.

The company also is seeking certification as an alternative testing method with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), with the goal of expanding to EPA-approved use in attainment zones. Data from the testing period at the Mesa County Landfill will contribute to the certification study.

“Once certified, Meerkat data can be used directly for compliance reporting, [which is] to our knowledge, something no other system currently offers,” Cook says.

Grand Valley Instrumentation plans to collect data from October 2025 to January 2026 and is awaiting approval from CDPHE to begin testing.

“We are hoping to begin within a week or two; however, these dates may be pushed back or extended based on requirements from the state,” Cook says.