ST. CROIX — Wastewater haulers were updated during a town hall meeting Wednesday at Alfredo Andrews Elementary School on the implementation of a new septage waste disposal fee that will become effective next month.
The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority has legally been allowed to collect the fee since 2017. The fee was set to take effect on August 14 but the agency subsequently suspended it.
VIWMA will now begin charging haulers with the required septage discharge permit a fee of $75.58 per 1,000 gallons of wastewater on January 1, 2026. The fee, which the Public Services Commission previously approved, will be charged on all septage received at VIWMA treatment plants from septic systems, portable toilets, and other privately owned wastewater treatment systems, including treatment plants, sewer lines, and pump stations.
During a brief presentation, VIWMA officials explained that the fee would generate revenue to pay for operations, equipment upgrades, and maintenance, including road repairs entering the Harold G. Thompson Jr. Treatment Plant on St. Croix.
Hannibal “Mike” Ware, VIWMA executive director, said after the town hall that while the agency receives government funding, those dollars primarily cover routine operations. He said equipment upgrades and plant maintenance also come with a cost.
“That’s a cost that we’ve been lagging behind on, which is why we have poorly maintained facilities, broken down equipment, and as long as I’m here, that’s going to change,” he told WTJX.
The VIWMA team discussed wastes that haulers may not discharge at the treatment plants, including fats, oils, and grease because they block the wastewater system.
Sinclair Flemming, a wastewater hauler who is managing member of SF General Maintenance Service LLC, questioned how haulers can separate grease from the wastewater they collect.
Akima Williams, VIWMA compliance manager, explained homeowners have a responsibility to limit the amount of grease that enters their septic systems, stressing the need to educate residents. Flemming said grease put down the drain ends up forming a layer on top of the septic tank. Williams said haulers who are able to separate the grease can charge their customers more. She said haulers might have to contact a grease hauler to separate it before bringing septage to the treatment facility.
“We have certified haulers who you can contact to come and get the cooking oil and grease,” Williams said.
Ware said the agency would lose its wastewater license if it accepted septage with grease in it. He, too, said the Authority must launch an educational campaign.
“In the coming weeks, you’ll see a huge increase in our educational efforts,” he said.
Flemming raised a concern about getting fined for bringing septage combined with grease to the treatment plant for disposal. Ware stressed that VIWMA wants to work with haulers toward a solution.
Alex Bruney, VIWMA engineering manager, asked Flemming for recommendations on how the agency could best deter homeowners from dumping grease down their drains. Flemming pointed out grease gets into septic systems from multiple sources, including washing dishes, doing laundry, and washing hair. Williams said the treatment plants could handle a minimal amount of grease.
“If it is a lot, we won’t be able to accept it,” Williams said.
After the 30-minute discussion, three haulers interviewed said they do not oppose the fee itself. They noted similar fees exist elsewhere and are necessary to support wastewater infrastructure.
“I think it’s a good idea, because it’s a start in getting things paid for as it relates to wastewater and waste disposal and proper management of that whole system,” Flemming said.
Norton Williams, owner of When You Got To Go Sewage Disposal, said the fee is long overdue.
“It’s going to be used for the improvement of the facility and roads because the road going in there is really bad, so that’s a fair deal,” he said.
St. Clair Liburd, owner of Liburd Sewer and Drain Cleaning, said he did not have a problem with the fee as long as VIWMA uses the revenue it generates to improve the treatment plant.
“Just give me the proper facility and whatever we need when you’re charging us,” he said. “Fix the roads and do other things down there to make it good for us.”
Now that VIWMA will be charging to dispose septage, Norton Williams said he will have to pass on the extra cost to his customers.
“There’s no way of getting around that, so that’s something that has to be done,” he said.
VIWMA held a similar town hall for wastewater haulers in the St. Thomas/St. John District on December 10 at the PSC office in Barbel Plaza on St. Thomas.
