Andrew Peller Limited Fined $25,000 For Spill
ST. CATHARINES - On December 7, 2011, Andrew Peller Limited was convicted on one violation under the Ontario Water Resources Act for the discharge of juice from grape pomace into a ditch that leads to Lake Ontario, impairing the quality of water.
The Court heard that the company is a winery located in the Region of Niagara. In 2008, the ministry was notified by the town of Grimsby that a resident reported seeing an oily substance in a ditch. The employee confirmed there was an oil-like substance in the ditch and sourced the oil sheen to a ditch at the company's processing plant. The material was determined to be juice from grape pomace contained in bins located near a storm ditch that flows into Lake Ontario. The ministry determined that aquatic organisms present and around the water could have been impacted by the discharge of juice from grape pomace.
The company was charged following an investigation by the ministry’s Investigations and Enforcement Branch.
The company was fined $25,000 a victim fine surcharge and was given six months to pay the fine.
For further information:
Members of the media:
Kate Jordan
Communications Branch
(416) 314-6666
Contact information for the general public:
416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923
