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News Release

For immediate release
June 24, 2003

AWS ENGINEERS & PLANNERS CORP. FINED $30,000

PEMBROKE — AWS Engineers & Planners Corp. (AWS), previously known as Azurix North America Corp., has been fined $30,000 after pleading guilty to a violation of the Ontario Water Resources Act (OWRA).

AWS was convicted on one offence under Section 30(1) of the OWRA for discharging a contaminant that may impair the quality of water. The company was fined $30,000 plus a victim fine surcharge.

The court was told that AWS was not duly diligent in the unloading of a shipment of Alum on June 15, 2000. Approximately 200 gallons of Alum discharged on the ground and was carried by rain into a maple bog that drains into the Ottawa River. After the spill, three loads of contaminated soil were removed and transported to the local landfill site.

The case was heard by Justice of the Peace Nancy Mitchell in the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke on June 2, 2003. 

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Contact:
John Steele
Communications Branch
Ministry of the Environment
(416) 314-6666