Discharge of Chlorinated Water into River Costs Builder $285,000

A builder’s subcontractor released approximately 12 million litres of chlorinated water, which is harmful to fish, into the North Saskatchewan River after hitting a water main during a construction project. Environment Canada determined that the builder, as construction managers of the project, failed to get underground locations for the water main before excavating. It pleaded guilty to one violation of the Fisheries Act. The court ordered it to pay a $15,000 fine and $270,000 to the Environmental Damages Fund to be used to conserve and protect fish and/or fish habitat in the Alberta [Clark Builders, Govt. News Release, Jan. 13, 2012].