Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury and former manager of waste water will face EPA charges in Barrie court on Thursday

The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury and its former manager of waste water, Brad Sullivan, are facing three charges each under the Environmental Protection Act.

The charges allege they took improper samples of effluent and failed to report the error to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. Sullivan and the town are expected to address the charges in court on Thursday in Barrie for a pre-trial on the matter, which is not open to the public.

According to the information provided by the courts, the offences took place at the Bradford Waste Water Treatment Plant.

According to court documents, it is alleged the town failed to ensure the plant was maintained so the average monthly concentration of total ammonia nitrogen levels didn’t exceed 2.5 milligrams per litre in December 2016.

Water samples that were taken for testing that month, that were sent for approval to the ministry, were also not characteristic of the quality of the effluent stream, according to court documents.

It is also alleged the town failed to report the error within seven days.

This issue is not related to drinking water.

The charges were originally filed in December 2018.

Caleigh Clubine, community relations officer with the town, said the municipality had no comment, but would provide a public statement after Thursday’s court appearance.

Gary Wheeler, of the communications branch for the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, also declined to comment.

“It would be inappropriate to comment on this case as it is before the courts,” he said.