Cabinet Reviews Hansons Bay Environmental Incident; Approves New Equipment for NSWMA

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has received a detailed presentation from the General Manager and Waste Management Manager of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) regarding a recent environmental incident at Hansons Bay near the Cooks Landfill.

The matter stems from an oil sheen observed in the waters at Hansons Bay extending toward Pelican Point on Thursday, February 12, 2026. The report was first made to the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Coast Guard by the Pilot Station at the Antigua Port Authority.

Following the report, the NSWMA was immediately alerted. Surveillance operations were conducted in collaboration with the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) and the Central Board of Health to assess the scope and impact of the incident.

Investigations determined that approximately two inches of rainfall, combined with sewage ponds operating at full capacity and a king tide event, resulted in landfill leachate overflowing into nearby mangroves. As the tide receded, the leachate is believed to have flowed into Five Islands Harbour, raising environmental concerns.

Cabinet was advised that the Cooks Landfill currently receives an estimated six tonnes of solid waste daily, along with approximately 30,000 gallons of sewage and 1,500 tires, placing sustained pressure on the facility’s systems.

To address the situation, the NSWMA’s General Manager recommended a series of corrective and investigative measures.

These include expanded water and sediment sampling to map the spread of contamination, inspection of the leachate collection and treatment systems to identify potential failure points, and the deployment of real-time sensors for continuous environmental monitoring to support long-term ecological assessments.

In response, Cabinet approved the acquisition and deployment of additional heavy-duty equipment to strengthen landfill management operations. The approved equipment includes two bulldozers, an additional excavator, a motor grader, a vibratory compactor (roller), and a landfill compactor.

Cabinet also pledged support for the completion of road construction at the landfill site, with assistance from the Ministry of Public Works, to improve access and operational efficiency.

Reaffirming its commitment to environmental protection and sustainable waste management, Cabinet urged all relevant agencies to maintain close coordination to prevent future incidents and safeguard Antigua and Barbuda’s coastal and marine ecosystems.