The Antiguan government has declared a critical infrastructure emergency as the nation’s only official waste disposal facility approaches maximum capacity. During a post-Cabinet briefing, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant revealed that Cook’s Landfill receives staggering daily volumes: approximately six tons of solid waste, 30,000 gallons of sewage, and 1,500 tires.
The environmental crisis became particularly evident when recent rainfall caused sewage ponds to overflow, releasing contaminated leachate into surrounding mangrove ecosystems and Five Islands Harbour. Merchant explained that just two inches of precipitation was sufficient to overwhelm existing containment systems, creating significant environmental concerns.
Cabinet members are now evaluating comprehensive infrastructure upgrades including advanced containment dams, a new sewage processing plant, and specialized facilities for handling waste oil. The administration has already authorized procurement of heavy machinery—bulldozers, excavators and compactors—to enhance operational efficiency at the site.
Authorities are implementing sophisticated monitoring solutions including real-time sensors and comprehensive system inspections to identify potential failure points. Concurrently, public health advisories have been issued against consuming seafood from affected areas while environmental testing continues.
Merchant emphasized the government’s commitment to environmental protection, noting that sustainability initiatives remain a top priority for the administration despite the current infrastructure challenges.