The flames, smoke and fumes from landfill fires at Pockwood Pond on Tortola have caused undue stress, discomfort and health concerns to those affected. Photo: Facebook

Immediate steps are being taken ‘and envisaged’ to ensure the proper functioning of the Pockwood Pond incinerator and reduction of distress to all residents and visitors, according to Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL). Photo: VINO/File

A major fire at the incinerator at Pockwood Pond on November 26, 2018 destroyed the control panel and electrical wirings and fittings of the facility. Photo: VINO/File

Since combustible products are now unable to be incinerated, there have been frequent spontaneous fires at the landfill site at Pockwood Pond. Photo: Facebook

A major fire at the incinerator on November 26, 2018 destroyed the control panel and electrical wirings and fittings of the facility. Since combustible products are now unable to be incinerated, there have been frequent spontaneous fires at the landfill site at Pockwood Pond.

According to the Health Minister, the flames, smoke and fumes from these fires have caused undue stress, discomfort and health concerns, not only to the employees at the facility but also to the residents in the immediate vicinity and further westwards.

“Fellow residents of the Virgin Islands, for too long we have been faced with the challenges of improper and inefficient waste management strategies. It is now a subject that must be addressed and solved,” Hon Malone noted in a Waste Management Strategy Update on Monday, June 24, 2019.

Immediate steps taken

Hon Malone said “immediate steps being taken and envisaged” to having this situation addressed for the proper functioning of the plant and reduction of distress to all residents and visitors include the finalisation of the contract for the purchase and certification of the installation of the control panel by Consutech Systems, LLC, (the plant manufacturers) by October of 2019.

It was announced in April 2019 that Government had entered into an agreement with Consutech Systems LLC for the purchase of a “CS-4000 Incinerator Replacement Solid State Control Panel,” at the cost of $161,300.00.

Another immediate step taken is the issuance of electrical contract for the installation of the control panel and the comprehensive rewiring of the plant.

Skelton Electrics Ltd is being contracted to the amount of $192,153.60 to carry out electrical repairs to the Incinerator Plant.

Another move by Government, as announced by Hon Malone, is to contract or engage additional personnel to coordinate the landfill operations to ensure proper placement and efficient covering of waste to reduce the occurrence of spontaneous combustion.

Carbon filter masks

Hon Malone also disclosed that Government is seeking to “purchase and distribute to residents affected of C95 units or comparable carbon filter mask to minimise the inhalation of fumes and other possible pollutants; and institute advance monitoring of air quality in chronically affected areas with the aim of informing residents of different levels of alertness.”

The Health Minister added it must be emphasised that as the territory takes immediate steps to correct the emergency situation at Pockwood Pond, “the vexing and broader issue of Sustainable Integrated Solid Waste Management can no longer be kicked down the road KICKED-DOWN-THE-ROAD. It must be addressed with the power of now.”

Hon Malone reminded that Government had engaged and has retained the consultancy services of the Agency for Resilience, Empowerment and Development for the formulation of short, medium and long term initiatives pertaining to legislation, regulations and policies; organisation restructure; and infrastructure development.