Cleanup work to remove improperly stored oil from the Anguilla Landfill on St. Croix began Aug. 12, after inspections by the Environmental Protection Agency found used oil stored on the ground and in containers outside approved containment areas there and at the Bovoni Landfill on St. Thomas.
According to information released by the V.I. Waste Management Authority, the St. Croix cleanup is being carried out by WMA in coordination with EPA. Similar work at Bovoni is scheduled to begin in fall 2026.
The agencies said proper removal and disposal of the oil is intended to reduce the risk of contamination to nearby soil and water. WMA is also working with the V.I. Fire and Emergency Medical Services to support response operations during the cleanup.
EPA is overseeing the work in coordination with the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources to help ensure cleanup activities are completed safely and in accordance with local and federal requirements.
The issue came to light after EPA, working with DPNR, inspected both landfill facilities earlier this year. Those inspections followed concerns raised by community members in spring 2026 about oil containers leaking into the environment.
EPA said inspectors found used oil stored directly on the ground and in containers located outside approved containment areas at both landfills. Containment areas are designed to act as backup barriers, helping prevent spills from spreading into surrounding soil, drains or nearby water.
Without proper containment, rainwater can carry oil into the environment, with the potential to reach navigable waters, the agencies said.
Under the Clean Water Act and the Oil Pollution Act, EPA may respond to oil discharges and related conditions that may threaten navigable waters and the environment. As operator of the two landfill facilities, VIWMA is responsible for carrying out the cleanup, while EPA’s role is to oversee the work and ensure it protects human health and the environment while meeting applicable federal requirements.
EPA and VIWMA said they will continue coordinating with other agencies as the cleanup moves forward and will keep the public informed. VIWMA also plans to share guidance with residents on the proper disposal of cooking oil and motor oil in an effort to help prevent similar problems in the future and support responsible waste management across the territory.
For more information on oil disposal, VIWMA said residents may contact its customer care team at [email protected] or [email protected], or call 340-715-9100 or 340-712-4962. EPA Region 2 said additional information is available from Community Involvement Coordinator Arshley Rey Torres at [email protected] or 1-631-805-4549.
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