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Landfill Accounting (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) site $ / T | Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) $ / T | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Landfill Accounting [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of landfills owned and operated by company | site | 81 |  |
Number of landfills operated, not owned, under life-of-site operating agreements | site | 8 |  |
Number of landfills operated under limited-term operating agreements | site | 4 |  |
Property and equipment, net | $ 5,069,767 |  | $ 4,820,934
Average remaining landfill life based on permitted capacity and projected annual disposal volumes | 26 years |  |
Number of owned landfills the company is seeking to expand | site | 11 |  |
Number of landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements that the company is seeking to expand | site | 3 |  |
Average remaining landfill life based on permitted capacity, projected annual disposal volumes and probable expansion capacity | 30 years |  |
Life of Company's owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements min range | 1 year |  |
Life of Company's owned landfills and landfills operated under life of site operating agreements max range | 158 years |  |
Landfill depletion expense | $ 153,010 | $ 147,071 |
Average rate per ton consumed related to landfill depletion at owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site agreements | $ / T | 4.58 | 4.55 |
Inflation rate for purposes of computing layers for final capping, closure and post-closure obligations | 2.50% |  | 2.50%
Accretion expense associated with landfill obligations | $ 9,583 | $ 8,757 |
Average rate per ton consumed related to final capping, closure and post-closure landfill accretion expense | $ / T | 0.29 | 0.27 |
Restricted asset balance for purposes of securing our performance of future final capping, closure and post-closure obligations | $ 44,760 |  | $ 43,684
Restricted investments | 12,639 |  | $ 12,406
Liabilities incurred | 11,750 |  |
Landfill [Member] |  |  |
Landfill Accounting [Line Items] |  |  |
Property and equipment, net | $ 2,868,628 |  |
Fair value discount rate | 4.75% |  | 4.75%

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