Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc.

The history of the Government of Guam's violation of the Clean Water Act goes back to 1986, when the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an administrative order directing the island's Department of Public Works (DPW) to cease the discharge of leachate from the Ordot Dump.

In 2008, the Ordot Dump continued to leach contaminants, posing an environmental and health hazard. A Consent Decree was approved by the U.S. District Court of Guam in February 2004, yet compliance with its mandates was minimal.

On March 17, 2008, Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc., (GBB) was appointed Receiver. GBB is a national solid waste management consulting firm with extensive experience with solid waste collection, processing, recycling and disposal issues, including those specific to island communities.

As Receiver, GBB’s objective is to work with Guam’s government, the Guam Solid Waste Authority, solid waste companies, the people of Guam, and the U.S. military to establish a long-term, financially viable and sustainable waste management system for Guam. 

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Latest Updates

September 19, 2024
GSWA Board Meeting

September 11, 2024

See updates and reports filed in the recent past:

»2022-2024 Updates

Partial End of Receivership

On April 29, 2019 the Court issued an Order partially ending the Receivership. In making this decision, the Court said:

"The court is very proud of the work accomplished by the Receiver over the last 11 years. The Ordot Dump has been closed, and the Receiver has installed the necessary systems to protect Guam’s waters from this environmental hazard that had plagued the island for decades. The Receiver has built a modern solid waste system for the island which includes a compliant solid waste landfill, a recycling program and a household hazardous waste disposal center."

The Court authorized the Receiver to continue its work to complete the post-closure plan for the Ordot Dump.
»READ COURT ORDER

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about the receivership.

Tumon Village

Guam Solid Waste Authority Website

GSWAThe Guam Solid Waste Authority has its independent website dedicated to providing information about the services offered; news directly related to GSWA and its services; resources; and contact information.The Guam Solid Waste Receivership Information Center remains an important source for information related to the Receivership.

Recent Media Coverage

February 13, 2024
Marianas Variety
Ordot dump receiver, GovGuam spar over subpoena, site design

January 24, 2024
Pacific Daily News
Receiver: Discharge at Ordot dump 'way down'

»MORE MEDIA COVERAGE

Newsroom

GSWA Receives Award
The Ordot Dump Closure project on the island of Guam has earned the 2016 Construction Management Association of America's Project Achievement Award in the $50 Million and under Infrastructure Project category. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in construction and program management.

CMAA Award

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Setting the Record Straight

In this section, the Federal Receiver provides accurate information responding to the attacks in the press release from the Office of the Governor and other inaccurate information being spread around by those working to undermine the Receivership.
»view response