The province has slapped the owners of a contaminated soil dumping site near Shawnigan Lake with a Pollution Prevention Order after it was found that heavy rain has led to untreated water being discharged into the environment.
The Ministry of Environment says a conservation officer attended Cobble Hill Holdings' site on Stebbings Road on October 8, and confirmed a report from the operator that heavy rain had eroded a layer of sand atop a landfill. That resulted in 3000 to 6000 gallons of untreated contact water flowing into a settling pond and discharging into the surrounding area.
The ministry has ordered Cobble Hill Holdings to take immediate action to prevent any further discharge into the environment, including that it cover the landfill with a secure cover, and to maintain or construct additional ditches to capture all contact water.
The ministry says failure to comply with the order could result in a fine of up to $300-thousand dollars or a term of imprisonment up to six months.