Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely not. Global Witness’ allegations are untrue and there is no credible evidence to back them up. The Environmental Authority regularly visits the site and has found no evidence of the alleged contamination.

Veolia has consistently demonstrated the absence of any link between the site’s activity and alleged environmental pollution in the Cienaga San Silvestre, located 15 kilometers from the site.

A comprehensive hydrological study conducted in July 2025 by a third party expert, IngeoExploraciones, at the request of the Colombian environmental authority. The report 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.

Furthermore, rigorous, independent testing has confirmed the absence of heavy metals in water and sediment samples. This is no surprise as the leachate is treated within the park and does not contain detectable amounts of mercury.

Samples were taken from locations downstream and upstream, including the same locations as NGOs Global Witness and San Silvestre Green, in the presence of the Environmental Authority.

Lastly, when leachate contaminates water and soil, samples present certain chemical properties which are markers of this contamination. None of the samples taken by Global Witness present the characteristics of leachate contamination (e.g. high salinity).
 

Veolia has no information enabling it to verify the authenticity of the alleged “video evidence”. 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 suspects deliberate manipulation 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.

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 the license it holds, Veolia Aseo Santander Y Cesar is only authorized to reuse the leachate after treatment using the reverse osmosis process.
 

There are many possible explanations for the results obtained by Global Witness, including industrial activity in the region, waste management operations run by other entities, illegal mining etc.

In San Silvestre, Veolia conducts a series of sampling campaigns to monitor surface and groundwater, leachate, and soil, according to the locations and frequencies established by the Environmental Authority (CAS).

Global Witness claims that sediment samples, taken upstream of the park, allegedly register the presence of mercury and heavy metals.

This is inconsistent with the samples analysed both by Veolia and the Environmental Authority, through independent external laboratories, which were taken upstream and downstream of the park, and did not reveal any significant presence of mercury or heavy metals.

Global Witness has disputed both Veolia and the Environmental Authority’s sampling methods. Contrary to Global Witness’ claims, there is no difference between the “sediment sampling method” of Lasertec, the laboratory commissioned by Global Witness on the 25th and 26th of September 2024 and the “soil sampling method” of Anascol, the laboratory commissioned by CAS on the 6th and 7th of March 2025.
The sampling methodology and locations are the same, as evidenced by a comparative reading of laboratory reports.
 

Global Witness is making these claims to prop up its campaign against the reform of EU regulation on sustainability due diligence, with the support of Open Society Foundations. These allegations are completely false. Veolia has provided all information and technical studies disproving these claims.

Surprisingly, Global Witness has never acknowledged this, nor agreed to visit the site. They refuse to consider the substantial scientific evidence made publicly available.

Veolia continues to engage with NGOs on this issue, providing them with relevant data that shows that activities at San Silvestre since 2019 are not and cannot be the cause of the alleged environmental pollution.

Last July, ESG ratings agency S&P ESG Research, after reviewing facts and scientific data, concluded that this “controversy” should be classified as “non-relevant”.
 

Since taking over the landfill in 2019, Veolia has operated the site in compliance with environmental regulations.

The site has been certified by the Colombian Institute of Technical Standards and Certification (ICONTEC):
 

ISO 9001:2015 in Quality Management
ISO 14001:2015 in Environmental Management
ISO 45001:2018 in Occupational Health and Safety Management.

These certifications are proof of their comprehensive commitment to operational excellence, environmental responsibility, and employee well-being; thus, guaranteeing reliable and sustainable service for stakeholders.

Likewise, Veolia carries out rigorous environmental monitoring through periodic measurements and sampling conducted by an independent laboratory accredited by the Institute of Hydrology, 
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These claims are anterior to Veolia’s operations at San Silvestre and we are unable to comment.

That said, to this date, official records do not show any such birth defects. Public health authorities, the environmental authorities, and the local prosecutor have found no evidence of any link between alleged pollution from the landfill and birth defects.

Veolia management has never authorised or instructed anyone to engage in the practices alleged by Global Witness. Veolia suspects an act of sabotage aimed at damaging its reputation and the good work of its employees.

Veolia operations comply with Colombian environmental regulations. The landfill does not spill or discharge leachate into water sources and that the handling and treatment of leachate is carried out 100% within the Park.

At the San Silvestre Environmental Technology Park, leachate management is carried out 100% on site, using a process that includes biological treatment and reverse osmosis technology that allows -as a result- the reuse of these treated liquids for internal irrigation activities, as authorized by the environmental authority.
None of these processes bring leachate to water bodies, and all operational activities are carried out within the area authorized by the environmental authority, in which there are no wetlands and located more than 15 kilometers from Cienaga San Silvestre.

Veolia Colombia operations in San Silvestre benefit from rigorous regulatory oversight and a corporate compliance policy that exceeds local regulations.

The Colombian Environmental Authority has conducted three audit visits during the last year, and that these follow-up visits are carried out by the Authority’s interdisciplinary team of professionals, composed of civil and environmental engineers, biologists, foresters, chemists, geologists and other professionals.

In addition, to keep its operating licence, Veolia must provide the environmental authority with regular reports about rainwater, surface, groundwater (upstream and downstream) and the leachate produced in the Park. This testing is carried out in an independent laboratory accredited by IDEAM quarterly, semi-annually, and annually.
 

No. Veolia has consistently stated there is no final disposal of hazardous waste in San Silvestre. The site only receives ordinary domestic waste, mostly from residential users in the municipality of Barrancabermeja. This type of waste chemically cannot contain these types of substances in significant quantities and, therefore, there is no possibility of water source contamination by mercury, iron, and cyanide.

Ordinary solid waste generates leachate, but as it is reused within the Park, there are no discharges to the water sources. This is reflected in the Environmental Compliance Reports provided by Veolia to the environmental authority including numerous tests and sampling taken on site.
 

Veolia is involved in many community outreach programs and ongoing social initiatives around San Silvestre:
 

• School for leaders: a program to train community leaders on environmental regulation. In the last year, Veolia has helped 72 presidents of the Communal Action strengthen their knowledge.
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  Environmental Workshops: promoting knowledge and adequate management of waste. In the last year, Veolia has trained more than 3,000 people.
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  Guided visits: more than 300 people annually visit San Silvestre Park.
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  Around Ibero-America: It is an environmental awareness campaign for children. Veolia has welcomed more than 170 students from the local community schools, participating in the program’s 2024 edition.
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  Environmental Guardians: educational program for children about caring for natural resources. Veolia has welcomed more than 250 students in the program.
  
   

Veolia is committed to its corporate sustainability objectives, intensifying its monitoring and control program, to ensure rigorous supervision of environmental compliance. Each Veolia Colombia subsidiary complies with the environmental obligations prescribed in licenses and permits granted by the relevant authorities.

In addition, Veolia continues to engage with environmental authorities and local stakeholders to improve understanding of their Business Group’s sustainability commitments, reinforcing trust and transparency in their processes. It also highlights that despite the unfounded nature of these allegations, their dedication to environmental responsibility sets them apart in the sector, reaffirming that they are fully committed – both in Colombia and globally – to fulfill all legal and environmental obligations, which is a central aspect of their corporate policies and has earned them positive recognition worldwide.