Guelph Ontario, Canada – May 17, 2004
Executive Fairways Golf Centre (Guelph) Limited has been fined $1,500 ? plus a victim fine surcharge – after pleading guilty to two counts of non-compliance with the Ontario Water Resources Act (OWRA).

Executive Fairways Golf Centre (Guelph) Limited is authorized, through a certificate of approval issued by the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), to operate a sewage works system to serve the Ariss Valley Golf and Country Club, located in Guelph-Eramosa Township. The Court heard that on July 18, 2003, an inspection of the sewage disposal system by MOE staff found that the sampling of raw sewage, effluent and groundwater was not carried out in 2002 and that the company failed to notify the MOE in writing of the start-up of the sewage works system.

By failing to sample and analyze raw sewage, effluent and groundwater, and failing to notify MOE prior to the start-up of the sewage works, Executive Fairways Golf Centre (Guelph) Limited contravened two separate conditions under its certificate of approval, contrary to Section 107(3) of the OWRA. The company was fined $750 for each of these breaches, for a total fine of $1,500. The Court granted the company 60 days in which to pay the fine.

Justice of the Peace Jeannette P. De Jong accepted the guilty pleas and fined the company on May 10, 2004 in the Ontario Court of Justice in Guelph.

Contact: Mark Rabbior
Communications Branch
(416) 314-6084
Ministry of the Environment