GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS 
OF THE 
UNITED STATES 
 
PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION 
 
 
IN RE: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
) 
Docket No. 661 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
) 
Order No. 44/2017 
APPLICATION OF VIRGIN ISLANDS WASTE 
) 
MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY FOR SEPTAGE  
)            
WASTE DISPOSAL FEES  
 
 
 
) 
 
________________________________________________) 
 
 
ORDER 
 
WHEREAS, on June 22, 2016, the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority’s 
(hereinafter “Authority” or “VIWMA”) submitted an Application for Septage Waste Disposal 
Fees to the Virgin Islands Public Services Commission (“hereinafter “PSC” or “Commission”); 
and 
 
WHEREAS, VIWMA’s Application seeks approval of fees to be levied against septage  
received at VIWMA treatment plants from private sector companies removing and transporting 
wastewater from septic systems, portable toilets, and other privately owned wastewater treatment 
plant systems (e.g. treatment plants, sewer lines, pump stations, etc.); and  
 
WHEREAS, on August 23, 2016, the Commission held a Special Meeting and voted to 
appoint its staff to conduct and preside over the proceedings for Docket 661, the Authority’s 
Application for Septage Waste Disposal Fees; and  
 
WHEREAS, Sandra Setorie, Assistant Executive Director of the PSC, was identified as 
the Hearing Officer to preside over the proceedings for Docket 661; and 
 
WHEREAS, Public Hearings were conducted on September 19, 2016, in both offices of 
the PSC on St. Thomas and St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands and on September 20, 2016, 
at the Cleone H. Creque Legislative Conference Room in Cruz Bay, St. John, United States 
Virgin Islands; and  
 
WHEREAS, on March 14, 2017, the Commission received the Hearing Officer’s written 
Report and Recommendations; and  
 
WHEREAS, on March 21, 2017, the Commission held a regular meeting in both its 
offices on St. Thomas and St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands; and 
 
WHEREAS, the Commission heard testimony from its staff and testifier, Mr. John 
Beagles; and  
PSC Order 44/2017 – Application of the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority for Septage Waste Disposal 
Fees 
Page 2 of 3 
 
 
 
 
WHEREAS, after review and deliberation the Commission voted to accept the Hearing 
Officer’s Report and Recommendations and approve VIWMA’s Application for Septage Waste 
Disposal Fees with the following recommendations: 
 
1. The Commission grant the request in the Application and approve the Authority’s request 
to enact fees on permitted septage waste haulers/companies who transport and deliver to 
its wastewater treatment plants; its proposed fee rate schedule; and, the methodologies 
submitted for its assessment, collection, and enforcement of the proposed fees; on the 
condition that: 
 
a. Septage waste disposal fee shall be determined by a concentration threshold of 
1,000 mg/L of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids 
(TSS) per thousand gallons of wastewater.  A Normal-Strength Septage Waste 
Disposal Fee of $75.58 shall be applied to loads of wastewater strength greater 
than 1,000 mg/L of BOD and TSS.  Whereas a Low-Strength Septage Disposal 
Fee of $13.34 shall be applied to loads of wastewater strength below 1,000 mg/L 
of BOD and TSS. 
 
b. The Authority immediately implement 
i. 
A sampling program to obtain accurate data and tracking of average BOD 
and TSS ranges of septage received from private waste haulers at its 
WWTPs; 
ii. 
A public information and education campaign; 
iii. 
Proper and sustained utilization of enforcement procedures; 
iv. 
Training for permitted private septage haulers. 
 
NOW THEREFORE, the Commission hereby  
 
1. 
ACCEPTS the Report and Recommendations of its Hearing Officer, Sandra 
Setorie in Docket 661; and  
 
2. 
APPROVES the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority’s Application 
seeking approval of Septage Waste Disposal Fees as follows: 
a. A Normal-Strength Septage Waste Disposal Fee of $75.58 shall be applied to 
loads of wastewater strength greater than 1,000 mg/L of BOD and TSS.   
b. A Low-Strength Septage Disposal Fee of $13.34 shall be applied to loads of 
wastewater strength below 1,000 mg/L of BOD and TSS; and 
3. 
The Authority immediately implement: 
a) A sampling program to obtain accurate data and tracking of average BOD and 
TSS ranges of septage received from private waste haulers at its WWTPs; 
b) A public information and education campaign; 
PSC Order 44/2017 – Application of the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority for Septage Waste Disposal 
Fees 
Page 3 of 3 
 
 
c) Proper and sustained utilization of enforcement procedures; 
d) Training for permitted private septage haulers 
 
 
So Ordered. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Commission 
 
 
                                                                            
Date:   July 19, 2017  
 
 
 
___________________________________ 
 
Nunc Pro Tunc:  March 21, 2017 
 
Andrew Rutnik, Chair