Veolia

The San Silvestre site does not handle hazardous waste - only household waste.

Rigorous, independent testing of water and soil/sediment has confirmed the absence of heavy metals samples taken at many locations, including the same locations as Global Witness, in the presence of the Colombian Environmental Authority.

This is no surprise as the leachate, a byproduct of domestic waste in landfills, is treated within the park and does not contain detectable amounts of mercury.

For example, no later than March 2025, sediment sampling was ordered by and conducted in the presence of the Colombian Environmental Authority, at sampling points used by Global Witness. Independent laboratory testing confirmed once again the absence of detectable levels of mercury.

In reality, Global Witness’ claims do not resist simple math. Given that mercury levels in leachate are below 0,001 mg/L, it would take a deliberate discharge of a volume equivalent to 115 years’ worth of site leachate production (or about 4.6 million cubic meters) for contamination by heavy metals at levels allegedly measured by Global Witness in sediment.
 

The the discharge of untreated leachate into the waterways of the San Silvestre wetland is strictly prohibited and no instruction has been given in this regard. In accordance with its licence, Veolia Aseo Santander Y Cesar is only authorized to reuse the leachate after treatment using the reverse osmosis process at the San Silvestre site, without any discharge outside.

Global Witness claims to have videos showing such illegal practices. Veolia has no information enabling it to verify the authenticity of these videos. Despite repeated requests to Global Witness, neither the date, nor the author, nor the context of these videos have been disclosed to Veolia. Veolia is also unable to identify the person appearing in this video.

Veolia Aseo Santander Y Cesar suspects deliberate manipulation of the equipment aimed at damaging its reputation and a possible act of sabotage, and has filed a criminal complaint with the Prosecutor of the Nation, the competent local judicial authority.

Veolia has also reinforced security at the 30-hectare site with the installation of new security cameras and increased protection of onsite equipment.
 

Recent scientific testing conducted by third party experts conclusively disprove Global Witness’ allegations.

A comprehensive hydrological study conducted in July 2025 by a third party expert, IngeoExploraciones, at the request of the Colombian environmental authority. The report (see below) clearly demonstrates the absence of a connection between runoff waters from the site and the two water bodies in the area, the “Cano Moncholo” and a natural lagoon east of the site.

This directly contradicts allegations of leachate contamination in these waterways.

The San Silvestre site is constantly monitored by the Colombian Environmental Authority, having conducted three environmental audit visits in 2024.

These monitoring visits are carried out by interdisciplinary teams of civil and environmental engineers, biologists, forestry engineers, chemists, geologists and other environmental professionals. The results of these visits certified the site’s full compliance with its Environmental License and local regulations (e.g. management of the operating basin, the mass of waste, the storm drainage and leachate management).

In March 2025, soil and water sampling was ordered by and conducted in the presence of the Environmental Authority, at sampling points used by Global Witness in 2024 to support its accusations against Veolia (of mercury contamination of flora, fauna and local populations). Independent laboratory testing at those same sample points confirmed once again the absence of detectable levels of mercury.

Veolia Santander collects the waste that residential users from local communities deliver in containers so that they can carry out the appropriate final disposal, in full compliance with Colombian environmental and technical regulations.

At the San Silvestre Environmental Technology Park, Veolia receives ordinary household or municipal solid waste, for which it has internal protocols and systematically refuses non-compliant waste. It does not handle hazardous waste.

But we do much more for nearby communities: Global Witness’ claims hardly reflect the relationship between Veolia and the Patio Bonito community. Veolia has spared no resources in its outreach to the local community. Veolia offers direct employment opportunities to more than 250 families in the area.  Neighbouring communities benefit from drinking water supply systems, ventilation (fans and air conditioning for homes and the local school in Patio Bonito), environmental education activities (workshops for over 3 000 people in 2024), public health programmes (e.g. vector control and prevention), waste collection, cleaning and beautification of common spaces, creation of recreational and leisure spaces, etc.