Waste Treatment Facility has started incinerating the Island's garbage.

According to Minister of Works and Engineering the Hon. Leonard Gibbons, who said it was "gratifying that this project is coming on line'' after so many years of delay, the incinerator's first combustion line began operating a week ago at a capacity of approximately four tons an hour. A second line will be opened later in the summer.

Both lines are still subject to "a considerable commissioning and test programme,'' which means that residents will have to put up with a great deal of "steam blowing...a noisy but essential operation,'' according to Mr.

Gibbons.

The testing is almost complete for the first line, but will continue on the second line in June.

As a result, "the continuing tolerance of the public living in the area is requested,'' the Minister said.

In addition to creating noise, the tests will require that the plant "shut down for adjustments over the coming weeks.'' If all goes according to plan, the facility should be able to generate its own power once the testing ends.

"Shortly thereafter,'' the Minister reported, "Tynes Bay will start exporting electricity to the Belco grid.'' Outside work on the facility has been largely completed, although tests on the mixing of ash-concrete, which will be used to stabilise the Castle Harbour landfill that adjoins the Airport, are still being conducted by SAL Ltd., the Ministry's Bermudian contractor.

Von Roll, the Swiss contractor that supplies the plant, will remain in Bermuda until the end of the year "to test operate the facility and continue the training of the Bermudian operators.'' Pihl, the Danish civil engineering contractor, is currently finishing work on the building, site roads and services and is expected to leave the Island at the beginning of July.

"Whilst we must wait for the completion of the plant commissioning process and for all operational tests to be completed later this year, I am certain that we can look forward with confidence to the start of a new era for dealing with much of Bermuda's waste,'' Mr. Gibbons said.

Pembroke Dump, which until recently has received much of the Island's garbage, is scheduled to be closed and turned into a park.