Leak repairs on Dero Road result in decrease in leachate seeping

Millions of gallons of toxic leachate spewed out from the closed Ordot Dump in April 2022.

Two point seven million is the figure federal receiver Gershman, Brickner & Bratton told the District Court chief judge today.

The source of the problem is believed to be caused by several leaks that the Guam Waterworks Authority only recently discovered in the last week of December 2022 along Dero Road.

The leaks were in lateral lines connected to the GWA distribution waterline. Repairs were immediately made and the problem was reported to U.S. EPA.

Since then, the levels of leachate being recorded dropped significantly.

Officials told Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood that for this April – the amount of leachate discharge recorded was 600,00 gallons.

The receiver believes the decreased leachate volumes coupled with the leak repairs could be the possible source of the problem.

Tydingco-Gatewood stated, “Clearly GWA is responsible for leachate, but are they fully responsible?”

Officials told the court they do not have enough data to confirm that just yet.

The receiver added that GWA is open to a rate rebate from previous invoices for increased charges caused by its faulty meters and increased leachate if it’s confirmed the water authority is to blame.

As we reported, U.S. EPA found that toxic leachate seeping out and slapped GovGuam with violations of the clean water act. After years of non-compliance, Tydingco-Gatewood ordered a federal receiver to take over from GovGuam and oversee the closure of the dump, which was completed in 2016.

It was said during today’s hearing, 26 years remain to complete the post-closure of the Ordot Dump. The price tag to do so is currently at $31.3 million.