by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Operations at the Layon Landfill continue but the excessive rain has presented an expensive problem for the Guam Solid Waste Authority. Engineer supervisor Daniel Galiza reported that the Guam Waterworks Authority's pump station is not equipped with the proper pumps to help deal with all the leachate from the heavy rain.

A private company was brought in to pump out the leachate at the cost of $18,000 just this month alone. "The pumps stations of the Guam Waterworks are not properly equipped. We always have problem because they don't have some kind of maintenance program. And also they're installing undersized pumps in their pump station," he said.

Galiza says GWA has been unable to maintain the infrastructure at the waste water treatment plant. We should note that there was a project to upgrade the Inarajan Treatment Plant that was paid through consent decree bonds. The federal receiver noted that any plans for additional upgrades were put on the shelf.