Borden-Carleton – A private snowplow operator under contract from the Provincial government has been fined and forced to clean up an oily mess in Borden-Carleton.
The snowplow driver was clearing snow in that community on Thursday when his machine started spraying hydraulic fluid all over a snowbank and parking lot of a local retirement home.
The driver did not clean up the mess at the time.
On Friday, someone who lives in the area complained to the Department of Environment, Labour and Justice.
An officer was sent to investigate and the contractor was summarily charged, fined a total of $275 and ordered to clean up the mess at his own expense, said Barry Jackson, environmental and regulatory co-ordinator for the department.
The driver could have saved himself the fine if he’d reported the spill, added Jackson.
“It was the failing to report the incident by the contractor that was the summary offence that he was charged with.”
Such a charge is also relatively rare, he said.
“I wouldn’t say they’re very common. I mean typically we get these incidents reported to us.”
It’s estimated that about 25 litres of oil was sprayed, most of it on snow or pavement.
It was Jackson’s understanding on Tuesday that the contractor had complied with the cleanup order over the weekend. The oil had been removed and taken to a disposal facility.
The department will be following up on this case in the spring, said Jackson.
If it becomes apparent that some of the oil leaked into the soil, then further remedial action might be required.
@journalpmaclean
