Guam Solid Waste Receivership | Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc., Receiver

The history of the Government of Guam's violation of the Clean Water Act goes back to 1986, when the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an administrative order directing the island's Department of Public Works (DPW) to cease the discharge of leachate from the Ordot Dump.

In 2008, the Ordot Dump continued to leach contaminants, posing an environmental and health hazard. A Consent Decree was approved by the U.S. District Court of Guam in February 2004, yet compliance with its mandates was minimal.

On March 17, 2008, Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc., (GBB) was appointed Receiver. GBB is a national solid waste management consulting firm with extensive experience with solid waste collection, processing, recycling and disposal issues, including those specific to island communities.

As Receiver, GBB’s objective is to work with Guam’s government, the Guam Solid Waste Authority, solid waste companies, the people of Guam, and the U.S. military to establish a long-term, financially viable and sustainable waste management system for Guam.

»Learn more
»court order

Latest Updates

November 21, 2023
The Ordot Dump Post Closure Facility - Design Overview was presented by Brown and Caldwell to the GSWA Board Meeting.

»PDF of the Presentation
»Stream of the Presentation (starting at 0:50:25)

November 7, 2023
Notice was given that on November 9, 2023, the court will visit the Ordot Dump Closure Facility under the responsibility of the court-appointed Receiver.

»court order

October 26, 2023
The Receiver notified the Court of the Specific Report of the Receiver to the Board of Directors of the Guam Solid Waste Authority concerning the Ordot Dump Post Closure.

»Special Report

October 17, 2023
A Status Report was presented pursuant to the May 18, 2023 Court Order:

»6th Joint Report
»Status Report (PDF of presentation)

Recent Updates

See updates and reports filed in the past two years:

»2022-2023 Updates

Partial End of Receivership

On April 29, 2019 the Court issued an Order partially ending the Receivership. In making this decision, the Court said:

"The court is very proud of the work accomplished by the Receiver over the last 11 years. The Ordot Dump has been closed, and the Receiver has installed the necessary systems to protect Guam’s waters from this environmental hazard that had plagued the island for decades. The Receiver has built a modern solid waste system for the island which includes a compliant solid waste landfill, a recycling program and a household hazardous waste disposal center."

The Court authorized the Receiver to continue its work to complete the post-closure plan for the Ordot Dump.
»READ COURT ORDER

Guam Solid Waste Authority Website

The Guam Solid Waste Authority has its independent website dedicated to providing information about the services offered; news directly related to GSWA and its services; resources; and contact information.The Guam Solid Waste Receivership Information Center remains an important source for information related to the Receivership.

Recent Media Coverage

November 24, 2023
Guam Daily Post
Court orders review of GSWA as agency seeks end of receivership

Pacific Daily News
Judge raises concerns about ending Ordot Dump receivership

November 10, 2023
Guam Daily Post / Marianas Variety
Leachate flow discussed as court tours Ordot dump site

November 9, 2023
KUAM News
Court visit to old Ordot dump for update on toxic leakage

Pacific Daily News
Feds want more investigation on 'seeps' from Ordot Dump

»MORE MEDIA COVERAGE

Newsroom

GSWA Receives Award
The Ordot Dump Closure project on the island of Guam has earned the 2016 Construction Management Association of America's Project Achievement Award in the $50 Million and under Infrastructure Project category. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in construction and program management.

CMAA Award

»Learn more

Setting the Record Straight

In this section, the Federal Receiver provides accurate information responding to the attacks in the press release from the Office of the Governor and other inaccurate information being spread around by those working to undermine the Receivership.
»view response

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about the receivership

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