The Town of Collingwood is proceeding with charges against Collingwood Ethanol and Canadian Mist.

In a press release from the municipality on Thursday, the town said public works officials contacted both companies after identifying that their sewer waste had unacceptable levels of biochemical oxygen demand (BODs), suspended solids (SSs) and pH

According to the release, high levels of both BODs and SSs place increased demands on Collingwood's wastewater treatment plant.

Thus, both companies were in violation of the bylaw that is designed to regulate and control the discharge of water and wastes into the municipal sanitary sewer works system.

 "We have been working cooperatively to try and resolve the other issues such as odour, noise and vibration," said Mayor Chris Carrier.

"It is unfortunate that it has come to the point of laying charges against Collingwood Ethanol and Canadian Mist but their sewage discharges and resultant disruption to our Waste Water Treatment Plant are not acceptable and can't be allowed to continue."

The fine for a first offence is $25,000.

Carrier said industries that discharge effluent into the system are tested on a daily basis.

He said within the last 30 days, there have been two cases where both plants have been over the allowable limits.

Carrier said the allowable limit of BODs is 300 mg, in some cases the plants were discharging 1200 mgs.

Carrier said too much effluent being put into the system can have a damaging impact on the system and in some cases can make the odours from the wastewater treatment plant, worse.

"It's not a good thing," he said. "We need them to comply."

Collingwood Ethanol has been a hot topic of conversation over the last several months. Recently, hundreds of residents attended a meeting to voice their opposition to the plant and the odour and noise emanating from it.

Carrier said town officials have been working with the Ministry of the Environment, Collingwood Ethanol, the local health unit and the Collingwood East Environmental Action Committee (CEEAC) to deal with the odour and noise issues.

Carrier said he isn't a scientist and couldn't say for sure that the sewage waste could be contributing factor to the odour emanating from Collingwood Ethanol, but says it is possible.

Bruce Chandler of Collingwood Ethanol said the plant is currently changing some of its processes and equipment in an effort to reduce its "environmental footprint."

Chandler said the plant is required to inform the town when they have exceeded allowable levels.
"It certainly wasn't deliberate and it won't happen again," Chandler said.

Carrier said both companies were informed on Thursday that charges were coming. He said the charges must be signed by a Justice of the Peace before being delivered to the company.