The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (VIWMA) was established in January 2004 by Act. No. 6638 as an autonomous Government Corporation, independent of the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands and similar in structure to the VI Water and Power Authority. As part of the legislation, a Board of Directors was created, comprised of seven (7) experienced and knowledgeable community members and representatives of the V.I. Government.

The VIWMA was created to develop and implement a comprehensive waste management program which would provide financial accountability, fiscal management and operational efficiency of the Territory’s waste management programs, thus ensuring the continued protection of public health and the environment. It is responsible for its own debts, assets, contracts, expenditures, funds, facilities and property.

The VIWMA is comprised of two main operations divisions: Solid Waste and Wastewater. The Office of Compliance Management and Environmental Enforcement is the support arm of the operations division. These divisions are additionally supported by the Office of the Executive Director, which also includes the Offices of Legal Counsel, Communications Management, Information Technology, and Environmental Health and Safety, the Division of Program Development, which includes Planning, Environmental Programs and Engineering, and the Divisions of Finance, Human Resources, and Procurement and Property.

Goals
The goals of the VIWMA are to:

• Educate and inform the citizens regarding solid waste and wastewater.
• Upgrade the existing wastewater system, construct new treatment facilities, and/or replace the current collection facilities.
• Implement an integrated solid waste management program to include the construction of a disposal facility, a proper landfill operation and a landfill closure plan. Other plans include public education and the collection and disposal of green waste, used oil, lead acid batteries, household hazardous waste, electronic waste (e-waste), fluorescent bulbs, scrap tires, and fats, oils and greases (FOGs).
• Develop programs for leak detection, reduction of infiltration and inflow, and compliance with the permit limits for the service area of the VIWMA, pursuant to EPA guidelines.
• Establish and administer equitable charges, consistent with federal law, to improve the quality of the environment and to develop a system-wide plan for solid waste management and wastewater management systems.
• Participate in the Federal governmental programs, including the receipt and administration of grants and loans, and to secure cooperation of federal agencies.

Downloads
Download WMA's Enabling Legislation  
(Act-6638.pdf, 1.71 Mb)