Fact Sheet

Ordot Dump History

The starting date for the use of the site as a dump is not documented. However, it is known that the Ordot Dump was in use during World War II. The dump was used as a disposal area by the Japanese when they occupied Guam from December 8, 1941 to July 21, 1944. After the liberation of Guam, the United States Navy continued to use the site as a disposal area, so who knows what you'll find deep below the dump. The ownership of the Dump was transferred from the U.S. Navy to the Government of Guam in 1950 under the Organic Act. Since then the Dump has been operating as a municipal solid waste disposal facility under Department of Public Works. The Dump area has been estimated to include up to 54 acres. The original site was a southerly flowing ravine which outlets into the Lonfit River. Even though the dump has been filled in the ravine, the general slope of the area remains southward towards the river.


GOVGUAM GOES INTO A CONSENT DECREE WITH THE UNITED STATES

What is the Consent Decree for the Closure of Ordot Dump?

The Consent Decree for the Closure of Ordot Dump is a legal settlement agreement to resolve issues related to the unauthorized discharge of pollutants from the Ordot Dump to the Lonfit River. The historical and continuing discharge of pollutants to the Lonfit River is a violation of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The Consent Decree outlines a timeline that the Government of Guam has agreed to follow in completing specific tasks to correct the violation. These tasks include the siting, design and construction of a new Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Facility (MSWLF) that is fully compliant with Subtitle D of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

What brought us to this?

July 24, 1990 - U.S. EPA issued an administrative order to GovGuam Department of Public Works requiring the cessation of discharges.

September 19, 1997 - U.S. EPA requested DPW to obtain and submit certain data and information on the discharges from the Ordot Dump and the receiving water in accordance with specified deadlines.

U.S. alleges that the Government of Guam did not comply with the terms and conditions of the administrative order.

February 11, 2004 - GovGuam (Guam Department of Public Works, Guam Environmental Protection Agency) entered into a Consent Decree (Civil Case No. 02-00022) with the United States of America (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the U.S. Department of Justice) in U.S. District Court, Territory of Guam.


CURRENT STATUS OF ORDOT DUMP

Ordot Dump Operations, 2005

Currently, the Ordot Dump is still in operations. The Consent Decree deadline for the closing of the Ordot Dump is on October 2007.  The Ordot Dump is at full capacity, however in order to properly close it, the required total airspace for the operations of the Dump from 2005 to 2007, according to the waste quantity estimation is 1.5 million cubic yards.

Hours of the Operation are from:
7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday,
7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sundays and Government Holidays.
Dump is closed only on Christmas and New Years.

What are the waste accepted and not accepted at the Ordot Dump?

Accepted Waste at the Ordot Dump:

• Paper
• Plastic
• Metals (tin cans, aluminum cans, household metals)
• Organic waste
• Dead animals
• Residential, commercial and government non-hazardous waste materials
• Waste treatment sludge (written approval by Guam EPA is required)  

Waste Not Accepted at the Ordot Dump:

• Metals (bulky metallic waste, vehicles, and/or equipment, metal beams)
• Household hazardous wastes (paint/adhesives/solvents, cleaners, pesticides/herbicides, vehicles and non-vehicle batteries, used oil, gasoline, diesel, or any flammable liquid, construction and demolition materials (concrete, rod/rebar, tin), septic tank or cesspool wastes.

For a complete list, please review the Guam EPA Solid Waste Disposal Regulations.


What happens to the Ordot Dump after its Closure?

Engineer's Rendition of Ordot Dump after the Closure

Public Law 24-272, mandates the conversion of the Dump to a Public Park in compliance with the applicable Federal Law. The Consent Decree also mandates a 30 year post closure maintenance plan that will monitor the gas, stormwater, leachate, cover system, monitoring wells etc.

FAST FACTS