PRESS STATEMENT ON SEEPAGE OF CONTAMINANTS
FROM COOKS LANDFILL
The National Office of Disaster Services (NODS), along with several critical agencies, has developed a corrective action plan to manage a seepage of contaminants from the Cooks Sanitary Landfill leading to Hermitage Bay in keeping with the National Marine Pollution Manual.
According to information from the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) Coast Guard, a report was received at 8:38am on Thursday 12th February 2026 from the Pilot Station at the Antigua Port Authority in St. John’s.
As a result, personnel from the ABDF and West Indies Oil Company (WIOC) were deployed to carry out an initial assessment.
Other critical agencies conducted surveillance of the area including NODS, the Central Board of Health and the National Solid Waste Management Authority.
A meeting of the Marine Pollution Committee was convened this morning (Friday). The findings reveal that the area leading to the sea from the Cooks Landfill had a flow of contaminants heading into Hermitage Bay.
NODS has since partially activated the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).
A number of remedial actions, including containment of the contaminants and water quality testing will take place. Several pieces of equipment have also been mobilized to support the efforts.
Fishermen and other members of the public are advised that activities in the bay – from Seaforth Beach to Pinching Bay, have been restricted. This means that no fishing or any recreation should take place in the area.
Members of the public will be kept updated on the situation. – the end –
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