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alo economist sunsuntribune regional news friday dec 26 2003 stouffville plant big part of sewage problem from page 1 high according to the ministry too much phosphorous can result in eutrophication a condition in water courses wliere high nutrient concentra tions stimulate blooms of algae some species may be choked out as a result its an historical problem that is likely associated with growth in the bur geoning community mr rabbior said expansion of the plant will address the issue he said the most serious problem has been recently detected in stouirville ministry inspectors have determined the bio chemical oxygen demand of effluent coming from die plant is too high the effluent literally sucks oxygen out of the water into which it is released causing havoc with fish and other organisms in the habitat once again the issue is likely vol- should you wish to remember auld acquaintance thisisthedacetocfojusssisfew for memorable acquaintances auld and new the comer house in stouffville should neer be forgot were the sauce for fine dining in york whatever the season 6403 main street stouffville for reservations please call 9056408494 check out ourmenus at wwwthecomerhouseca boxing week storewide sale i maple tables deluxe harvest tables whether dining with family or entertaining friends dinnertime is certainly an event available in maple oak pine or cherry in many sires j leaves available fsj wardrobe classic styling meets elegant vnxtili ty this piece can be finished in your choice of stain or paint finish- sls0wjhmjj roe sntdjfti tlbotitfi stains upto i 4b 0 off on boxing day specials selected floor models now s save over 330 deluxe work station work has never been so elegantly appointed complete with keyboard pulfout and ample room for your computer standard ikvjitjf stains www wo odcraft ca the darn mirktum rd steele ar 4 1 6 2952279 open sunday miuiuauga 2185 dund suv 2 block w of erin milk pkwy c5 072247 open sunday workshop showroom 370 dcnwon st e nbrkhun cx5 4752488 whitby 1 11 uunfop st w brock st c5 6682770 open sunday fine handcrafted solid tvoodjitrniture at our lowest prices of the year visit our new showroom on denison distributor of tempur mattresses ohvf i boxing week toshiba s3 mb ttf 163 1600 lines hdcto80540phd display 40 watt audo output pegasus w crts ume mr rabbior said but the prob lems at stouflville are being investigated to see if charges should be laid thats a new development we felt was warranted for the investigation and enforcement branch to look into mr rabbior said theyll review the evidence thats been gathered and conduct their own investigation as well a local perspective would surely help to gauge the seriousness of the issues identified by the ministry but for months now york region has refused to answer even the most rudimentary questions about its sewage treatment plants requests for interviews have been turned down queries about sewage plant operations and infrac tions including spills have been denied issues surrounding sewage treat ment plants have dogged the region throughout 2003 legal battles and another highprofile sewage spill have attracted headlines perhaps its a sign of the times in the aftermath of the walkerton disaster in which seven died and hundreds were sickened by their municipally supplied water the province has cracked down on municipalities demanding strict attention be paid to administration and practices at sewage and water treatment plants many thousands of dollars in fines have been levied against municipalities for infractions in november 2002 debbie korolnek director of water and wastewater with york region told politicians walkerton had changed the dynamics of the rela tionship between the ministry and the municipalities it inspects i used to feel we had a real partner ship with the ministry of environment those days are gone ms korolnek said they are very quick to issue orders and issue charges she said then new safe drinking water legislation had already cost york s15 million and would continue to be a financial burden there are seven sewage treatment plants in york region they are located in stouffville schomberg sutton keswick holland landing mount albert and kleinburg the plants are inspected by the min istry at least once every four years annually if they are found not to be complying with ministry guidelines infractions under those guidelines run the gamut from releasing too much effluent to failing to file proper paper work york region has been dealing with charges throughout the past year this spring the municipality was fined 16000 on four administrative charges meanwhile a battle is brewing with the ministry over charges resulting from a spill at the woodriver bend sewage treat ment plant near sutton in may of 2001 earlier tins year lawyers for both the region and the province were optimistic the matter could be settled and an appropriate fine imposed without a court fight 12 months and thousands of dollars in legal fees later that hope is gone court proceedings are scheduled to begin in january the region claims its fighting the case because of the fines could be huge the ministry has confirmed they can be in the millions although that rarely occurs and the damage a conviction could cause the region in the future you have to defend yourself when charges are laid said richmond hill mayor bill bell chairperson of the regions works committee a certain legal cost is anticipated at last check those legal costs were 28000 invoices obtained under free dom of information legislation showed the region has been paying mccarthy- tetrault for representation the lead lawyer on the case dougthomson bills the region 540 an hour meanwhile in august of this year approximately 200000 litres of sewage bypassed a pumping station in aurora and spilled into tannery creek result ing in a largescale fish kill and warnings from the region to stay out of newmarkets fairy laka five beaches on lake simcoe were also closed 7 used to feel we had a real partnership with the ministry of environment those days are gone it appears the spill occurred when a backup generator failed its not something that should have happened said paul jankowski the regions director of design and construc tion said at the time but it did the ministry continues to investi gate that spill theres been no decision as of yet on whether or not charges will result mr rabbior said the last time the region was charged over a largescale sewage spill which occurred in markham the municipality was fined 35000 the region has refused to comment on questions about sewage treatment plants denying requests for interviews with officials such as transportation and works commissioner kees schipper and others the region refused to answer a list of written questions concerning sewage plant operations concerning issues such as staffing capacity and effluent release areas they even refused to sup ply a list of the plants for which the municipality is responsible and no comment will be forthcom ing on the regions recent history of spills charges for infractions and court battles in fact its the upcoming legal clash over woodriver bend thats being cited for the tightlipped approach we have a situation where were before the courts in january a lot of the questions youre asking could have an effect on that outcome regional spokesperson patrick casey said last month after this newspaper filed another freedom of information request on the issue of sewage treat ment plants the regions stance was the same 1 many heartfealt thanks to you our generous community for supporting markham stouffville hospital you have made a difference seasons greetings on behalf of the boards of directors and staff poamfrpofc alloy mtwete c230 kompreisor sport coupe tlmmontlf c230 kompressor classic sedan 42smonuy the december glad tidings great savings event mala tun hoikty kiton w to remember with wings on ywr mnrftt mercenvi hem cm kftmprtuor cbtsle sedan r the wrjatlle musfl 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