The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority is requesting a $53.6 million budget for fiscal year 2026, including a proposed solid waste fee on residents that could generate as much as $9.8 million, to address aging sewer systems, landfill capacity, and ongoing waste management challenges across the territory.

The hearing before the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance revealed VIWMA’s financial struggles, including $19 million the agency owes to vendors and underfunded operations. Interim Executive Director Darryl Griffith emphasized the need for new fees and investments, stating, “We are confident these projects will deliver lasting benefits to the environment, the economy and communities.”

VIWMA projects it will generate $3.5 million in tipping fees for 2025, up from $2.7 million collected in 2024. As of June, the year-to-date total tipping fees stand at $2.3 million. Currently, the tipping fee is set at $7.50 per cubic yard, which converts to about $5.06 per ton, significantly lower than the U.S. national average municipal solid waste tipping fee of $53.72 per ton in 2020 — meaning VIWMA’s fees are roughly 90% below average, according to Monday’s testimony.

Because tipping fees alone do not cover the full cost of waste management services, VIWMA has formally requested approval from the Public Services Commission for a new solid waste collection, disposal, and maintenance fee. This fee is intended to cover the costs of comprehensive garbage collection services across the territory, including house-to-house pickups, bin site maintenance, convenience centers, public housing, government buildings, school garbage collection, and transportation to landfills.

The proposed fee would charge residential property owners and vacant lot owners $180 annually (equivalent to $15 per month) and would be collected through property tax bills. Commercial properties and government units are exempt. The fee would apply to roughly 34,022 residential units and 20,718 vacant lots, potentially generating $9.8 million in revenue. However, based on a 70% estimated collection rate — derived from data from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office — VIWMA expects to collect around $6.9 million annually.

VIWMA employs about 470 people but currently has 48 vacant positions, with plans to fill 20 by the end of fiscal year 2026, according to Griffith. In fiscal year 2025, the authority hired 12 new employees but lost 22, including four retirements. Operational costs — including garbage collection, landfill maintenance, and wastewater services — total over $25 million.

Griffith addressed staffing challenges, emphasizing the authority’s tight financial situation. “I’m not going to sacrifice paying my contractors to hire more officers that we currently cannot afford,” Griffith said.

Senator Marvin Blyden countered, arguing that stronger enforcement could help generate much-needed revenue. “If you collect more money, you can pay officers,” he said. “The amount of violations we have daily in the territory, I think that would assist you moving forward.”

The exchange highlighted the ongoing struggle between financial constraints and the need for increased enforcement of waste management laws. Griffith acknowledged the agency’s enforcement staffing is limited, with only two officers on St. Thomas and one on St. Croix and admitted they “desperately need” more officers but lack the budget to expand.

VIWMA is also planning long-term landfill infrastructure improvements across the territory. Both the St. Croix and St. Thomas dumps have operated under federal consent decrees for years. On St. Croix, in partnership with the U.S. Justice Department, the authority used GIS site analysis to evaluate 66 potential parcels for a new landfill; three remain under consideration, with community engagement meetings set to begin in October. On St. Thomas, where land availability is limited, the plan focuses on expanding the existing Bovoni landfill to meet future needs, said Griffith.

During the budget review meeting, senators expressed frustration over the sewage problem behind Windward Passage Hotel on St. Thomas, which has persisted for more than a year despite repeated calls for cleanup. Sen. Ray Fonseca, who visited the site just before the meeting, described the area as “filthy” and stressed that raw sewage is draining directly into the ocean, affecting local businesses and residents. Sen. Carla Joseph agreed, saying, “You’re doing a very good job outside of what is happening behind Windward Passage,” and emphasized that the situation demanded “immediate, urgent attention.”

VIWMA officials explained that deteriorating cast iron sewer laterals from nearby homes are discharging raw sewage into a blocked drainage channel behind the hotel. Keith Smith, VIWMA’s chief engineer, outlined immediate steps being taken: collaborating with the Public Works Department to clear the clogged drainage gut and issuing notices to affected property owners, requiring them to repair their damaged sewer lines. The Health Department is also involved, actively enforcing these corrective actions, he said.

The response has been complicated by a collapsed 42-inch main sewer line at Banco Popular, forcing VIWMA to install a temporary bypass pump that moves only 1,450 gallons per minute — well below the needed capacity of 1,800 to 2,000 gallons per minute, according to Smith.

To improve flow, the authority plans to install an electric pump at the affected manhole soon, converting it into a temporary pump station. Officials hope this will lower water levels enough to begin cleanup behind Windward Passage as soon as next week.

The growing problem of sargassum seaweed washing ashore and emitting foul odors was also raised. Griffith said the agency lacks equipment and funds to address it effectively and called for federal assistance.

On solid waste, Griffith pointed to the high number of open bin sites on St. Thomas, which exacerbate pollution issues, particularly after heavy rains when garbage often flows into the ocean. Reflecting on past experiences, he recalled documenting this problem years ago and is now responsible for resolving it. To combat this, VIWMA plans to introduce smaller garbage trucks and gradually replace open bins with structured collection points.

“We have a failing wastewater system that we’re working to replace and repair, and it’s going to take five to 10 years to fully complete — but we will get it done. On the solid waste side, we’ll continue improving the services we provide. That’s why we have to charge fees. These islands are too beautiful to be this dirty, so we’re going to make sure we clean them up,” Griffith concluded.