Charges laid over hazardous waste flow
Two firms accused of releasing harmful material into storm drain
Two Edmonton-based companies and the companies’ director have been charged for allegedly releasing hazardous waste into a storm drain that discharges into Mill Creek.
The Alberta government announced Thursday it had laid a total of 20 charges against Greenways Inc., Centennial Zinc Plating Ltd. and the companies’ director, Peter Greenways.
Ogho Ikhalo, a spokeswoman with Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, said an incident in October 2011 triggered an investigation. The charges relate to incidents that occurred between August 2007 and May 2012.
Ikhalo said she could not provide more information as the matter is before the court.
The charges, under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and the Waste Control Regulation, include:
Releasing a substance into the environment that may cause a significant adverse effect to the environment.
Failing to take reasonable measures to remediate, manage or remove the substance.
Failing to report the release of a substance into the environment that may cause an adverse effect.
Knowingly commencing or continuing an activity requiring an approval without an approval.
Improperly disposing of hazardous waste.
Centennial Zinc Plating Ltd. and Peter Greenways are also charged with consigning or transporting hazardous waste without a manifest.
The first court appearance is set for Nov. 18 in Edmonton Provincial Court.
Greenways and his companies have faced previous orders under Alberta’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.
In May 2012, Greenways was issued an enforcement order following a spill of hazardous materials into the sewer system from his company Greenways Inc.’s plant. At the time, a spokesman for Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development said on Oct. 5, 2011, there was a spill of hazardous materials at Greenways Inc., a former chrome- and nickel-plating facility at 52nd Street and 73rd Avenue.
The city’s drainage department and hazardous materials team responded to a call at the facility because an overturned tank tipped over by the owner leaked nickel solution into a storm drain.
Greenways received a prior enforcement order in 2001 and was prosecuted in 2003, in both cases for failing to store chemicals properly.
Centennial Zinc Plating Ltd. was fined $125,000 in 2003 for illegally storing 16 tonnes of toxic cyanide waste outside in the yard of the facility at 6007 76th Ave. in rusting metal barrels.