Crapo Hill Landfill’s lifespan is currently in the hands of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection as the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District works to create a seventh cell.

Cell seven would be approximately four acres large and would be capable of containing around 750,000 cubic yards of airspace.

While it can be difficult to determine the exact lifespan of a cell, Refuse District Executive Director Anthony Novelli said the district estimates cell seven would add “at least an additional seven years” to the landfill.

Cells are built similarly to swimming pools, Novelli said, to contain any liquids that could leak from the waste.

Crapo Hill Landfill is located on a parcel of land that is 152 acres large, but only 69 acres can be used for actual landfill area, which was determined in 1993 when the landfill was first approved.

With cells one through six, the site is currently roughly 50 acres in size, with cell seven bringing it to 54 acres if approved.

If the Department of Environmental Protection approves of the district’s permit, construction of cell seven could start in March or April, according to Novelli .

He explained the window for construction is between April and October as construction can be difficult in the winter.

Novelli estimated that the earliest that cell seven would begin operating would be early 2027.

He noted that the district would need to obtain an operating permit that would certify that everything was constructed according to design before they can start putting waste in cell seven.

Novelli said that the additional cell will continue the district’s efforts to “provide very affordable disposal rates here for Dartmouth and New Bedford.”

“This will go along with the financial benefits provided to Dartmouth and New Bedford residents, because we’re adding capacity,” he added.