Combine at dusk

Combine at dusk

Monday, December 6, 2010

Municipality discharges contaminated water into municipal drain

The Corporation of the Municipality of Lambton Shores and Landmark Tank & Tower Services Corp. Fined $50,000 for a Discharge of Contaminated Water

SARNIA - On October 18, 2010, The Corporation of the Municipality of Lambton Shores pleaded guilty to one violation under the Ontario Water Resources Act and on September 28, 2010, Landmark Tank & Tower Services Corp. pleaded guilty to the same charge of discharging contaminated water into the Hobbs McKenzie Drain.

The Court heard that the town hired the company to clean and inspect a drinking water standpipe in the Village of Arkona. When the standpipe was opened by the company, it was found to contain 2000 gallons of a red mixture of iron rich water and solids. The company pumped the material out of the standpipe and into the spillway that flowed into the municipal storm drain. Responding to complaints from a resident that the drain was running red in colour, ministry staff attended the site and confirmed the discharge.

The town and company were charged following an investigation by the ministry’s Investigations and Enforcement Branch.  The company was fined $30,000 and the town was fined $20,000 for a total of $50,000 plus victim fine surcharges. The company and town were given 60 and 30 days to pay their fines respectively.

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