Clark Builders fined $285,000 for release of chlorinated water into river

EDMONTON, Alta. -- January 13, 2012 -- Clark Builders was ordered to pay $285,000 in Alberta Provincial Court after pleading guilty to one count under the Fisheries Act. This relates to the release of approximately 12 million litres of chlorinated water into the North Saskatchewan River following the striking of a water main during a construction project on July 20, 2009. Sample analysis of the chlorinated water determined that it was harmful to fish. The North Saskatchewan River has the highest diversity of fish species of any river in Alberta, including burbot, mountain whitefish, walleye, sauger, and other species.

Clark Builders was a registered partnership that includes A.G. Clark Holdings Ltd, Giebelhaus Developments Ltd, and CB Partnerships Corporation. The water main was hit by a sub-contractor working for Clark Builders. An investigation by Environment Canada determined that Clark Builders, as construction managers of the project, failed to obtain underground locations for the water main prior to excavating for foundation pilings for a pool building at the Royal Glenora Club.

Clark Builders has been ordered to pay a total penalty of $285,000, of which $15,000 is a fine, and $270,000 is to be paid to the Environmental Damages Fund (EDF), to be used for the specific purpose of conserving and protecting fish and/or fish habitat in the Province of Alberta.

The EDF is administered by Environment Canada to provide a mechanism for directing funds received as a result of fines, court orders, and voluntary payments to priority projects that will benefit our natural environment.

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Environment Canada
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