(St. Croix, USVI) - The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (‘VIWMA” or “Authority”) Preserving Paradise team advises the community of an active fire in the scrap metals section at the Anguilla Landfill. The fire was observed and reported to the Virgin Islands Fire Services (VIFS) at 2:36 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2020.

VIWMA staff and contractors reported metals, including junked cars, were being processed for removal when a vehicle ignited causing the fire which quickly spread in the metal section.

VIFS, VIWMA contractors and personnel are collaborating and working expeditiously to bring the fire under control.  Landfill operations have not been affected; however, the scrap metal section of the facility is closed until further notice.  The public is reminded to remove all engine fluids prior to disposal, preventing accidental fires and protecting the environment from spills.

Residents with respiratory disorders/conditions should take precautions to minimize their exposure to smoke as wind directions change. The Authority will continue to provide updates regarding changes that may affect public health.  The VIWMA Preserving Paradise team apologizes for the inconvenience caused and would like to thank the community for their patience and cooperation.

For more information, contact the Office of Communications Management at 340-513-4171 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Also, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and/or Twitter.

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(St. John, USVI) The Cruz Bay area on St. John is experiencing a bad odor due to a large amount of grease and debris recently extracted from the Pond Mouth pump station.  The VIWMA apologizes to the residents of St. John who are enduring this odor and would like to assure the public that the Authority is taking all necessary steps to mitigate this situation.

On Wednesday, April 22, VIWMA staff were notified of a manhole overflow. Upon inspection, a large amount of grease and debris caused the pump station to malfunction and the manhole to overflow. The following day, Thursday, April 23, VIWMA staff and contractors pumped/removed more than 9,000 gallons of wastewater containing both grease and debris from the wet well and transferred the material to the Cruz Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant drying beds for disposal.  The grease emits a very strong odor and VIWMA staff continues to use odor suppressant to reduce the odor.

The VIWMA reminds the public, especially restaurants and other cooking establishments, that fats, cooking oil, or grease (FOGs), should not be disposed down any business/household drains or by throwing it into guts/gutters, down manholes or storm drains.  Illegal or improper disposal of FOGs negatively impacts the wastewater system and groundwater.

Although most restaurants have closed or scaled back business operations during COVID-19, grease dumped down drains can stay in public sewer lines, travel through the sewer network and accumulate in the pump station wet well where it ultimately affects the operation of  pumps, causing overflows at the nearest downstream manhole.

VI Code Title 19 Chapter 56 § 1555 (e) and (b) states all businesses producing waste oil must employ an authorized permitted hauler to dispose of the used product. Violators are subject to a fine of not less than $1,000 and/or 180 days imprisonment.

For more information, contact the Office of Communications Management at 340-643-0410 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Also, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and/or Twitter.

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(St. John, USVI) The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (VIWMA or Authority) Preserving Paradise team advises the St. John community that on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, the wastewater staff and contractors will continue removing grease and debris build up at the Pond Mouth Pump Stations and nearby manholes. On April 22, staff and contractors removed more than 9,000 gallons of wastewater containing grease and debris from the same locations.  The buildup of grease and debris at the same location is concerning, and warrants executing the same task to prevent the station from going offline and prevent wastewater overflow from nearby manholes.

Fats, oils and grease that have been improperly disposed of down household/business drains, in gut/ gutters, down manholes and/or storm drains are causing the buildup.

Although most restaurants have closed or scaled back business operations during COVID-19, grease dumped down drains can stay in public sewer lines, travel through the sewer network and accumulate in the pump station wet well where it ultimately affects the operation of pumps, causing overflows at the nearest downstream manhole.

VI Code Title 19 Chapter 56 § 1555 (e) and (b) states all businesses producing waste oil must employ an authorized permitted hauler to dispose of the used product. Violators are subject to a fine of not less than $1,000 and/or 180 days imprisonment.

To properly dispose of fats, oils and grease in your home, pour cooled cooking oil, poultry and meat fats into a tightly sealed container and discard it with your household garbage. Use paper towels or newspapers to wipe residual oil/grease from pots, pans, and dishes before washing.

For more information, contact the Office of Communications Management at 340-643-0410 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Also, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and/or Twitter.

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(St. Croix, USVI) The front-line workers of the VIWMA were the recipients of a tasty lunch curtesy of #PayitForwardstx, an ad hoc community group that deliver meals to essential workers in the wake of this Coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to Jennifer Cole Simpson for nominating the VIWMA and to Katie Nelson for soliciting the donations from local restaurants and making the delivery on Thursday, April 23, 2020.

According to Ms. Nelson’s Facebook page, Ms. Simpson nominated the VIWMA because it is perceived  to be a “thankless job”.  Simpson said, “In a time of social distancing, the residential and commercial collectors are now faced with touching everything we touch. I see them now in masks and gloves when they come by, working hard as ever, and I know the virus must weigh heavy on them and their families. Yes, they are still working unlike most of us, but they are absolutely taking a risk to do it and I am incredibly grateful to have them.”

The VIWMA solid waste and wastewater crews were very thankful to be acknowledged in such a personal way. One staffer said, “It’s good to be remembered and to know someone is thinking about what we are going through, working in these circumstances with the coronavirus everywhere.”

The public is reminded they can help VIWMA front-line staff stay safe, by placing all trash in closed plastic bags, and sanitizing the lids and handles of their trash receptacles. You can also keep wastewater flowing unobstructed, by flushing only toilet paper down the drain.

For more information, contact the Office of Communications Management at 340-643-0410 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Also, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and/or Twitter.

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