Victoria company fined $11K after bleach spill kills hundreds of fish
Environmental compliance officers have fined a Victoria exterior washing company $11,000 for releasing a roof de-mossing agent into a creek in Sidney, B.C., killing hundreds of fish.
Elevate Exterior Washing Ltd. was found to have discharged the solution of bleach and surfactant into Reay Creek last year, causing the deaths of more than 300 fish and other creek-dwelling organisms, according to an environmental compliance action filed by the B.C. government on June 20.
The discharge affected a 150-metre section of Reay Creek downstream of a stormwater outfall on Wesbrook Drive in early June 2021.
A Sidney fishing association raised the alarm about the spill on June 7, 2021, telling CTV News that 320 cutthroat trout and several coho salmon were found dead.
Grant MacPherson with the Sidney Anglers Association called the incident catastrophic, and said the loss of the cutthroat trout specifically would alter the creek ecosystem for years to come.
'I TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY'
Nathan Bancroft, a co-owner and general manager of Elevate Exterior Washing Ltd., told CTV News he accepts full responsibility for the spill, which he called "an accident on our end."
Bancroft and his co-owner were not involved in the company at the time of the incident, having only taken ownership in January of this year, he said.
"One of the vans had a malfunction and leaked into the creek," Bancroft said. "I take full responsibility for it."
The co-owner said the previous ownership of the company paid the fine and Bancroft said Elevate has implemented training for its staff to ensure a similar spill cannot happen again.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend woman's life
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.