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A Calgary-based energy company is facing four charges for the release of contaminated water from one of its pipelines near Drayton Valley.
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has said 400,000 litres of contaminated water was released, some of it into the North Saskatchewan River about 130 kilometres southwest of Edmonton, from a pipeline owned by ARC Resources Ltd. between Dec. 9 and Dec. 25, 2020.
At the time, the company said it had responded to the incident as soon as it became aware of it and that its testing showed the discharge had no noticeable effect on the river.
Even so, after an investigation by its major investigations team, the AER this week announced it had laid four charges against the company under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.
Charges include releasing a substance into the environment that caused or may cause a significant adverse effect. Another count alleges ARC failed to report the release as soon as they knew or ought to have known of the release.
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A third count states the company failed to take all reasonable measures to repair, remedy and confine the effects of the substance as soon as they became aware or ought to have become aware of the pipeline release.
A fourth count alleges ARC failed to take all reasonable measures to remediate, manage, remove or otherwise dispose of the substance in such a manner as to prevent an adverse effect or further adverse effect as soon as they became aware or ought to have become aware of the pipeline release.
The company’s first appearance is scheduled for Feb. 7, 2023, in Drayton Valley Provincial Court.
Because the case is before the courts, AER said it wouldn’t provide any further information on the matter.
Twitter: @BillKaufmann
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