Earlier this week an anonymous Victorian asked the internet’s advice on how to report their company for dumping illegal toxins down a storm drain.
The Reddit user posed the question of how to anonymously report their company after dumping chemicals in the Burnside-Gorge area.
This area expels the storm water collected by storm drains into the watershed that leads to the Gorge Waterway.
Shortly after the original Reddit post was circulating, someone reported that the water in Cecelia Creek appeared to be off in colour and may have been impacted by this illegal dumping.
After hundreds commented and amplified their question, the original post was then deleted.
Now, according to the City, the Capital Regional District (CRD) is testing the Gorge Waterway and its surrounding watershed for chemicals.
A City of Victoria spokesperson told Victoria Buzz that the water in the Gorge has been tested, and now the City is waiting for test results to come back from the CRD.
Once test results come in, if there is an issue with the toxin levels, Island Health will issue an advisory.
See also:
- Victoria Councillor seeks to end all daytime sheltering in parks and on boulevards
- Not in my backyard: Petition launched to stop safe-consumption site from opening in Victoria
In the meantime, letters were distributed to all businesses and residences in the area, reminding people in the area that dumping toxins in storm drains is illegal and wreaks havoc on the ecosystems impacted.
The City says they are actively investigating the source of the contamination.
In their investigation, workers are lifting manhole covers for visual inspection of flow, visiting businesses, analyzing water usage data in the area.
Additionally, the District of Saanich is also investigating as it was determined that some underground storm drain infrastructure feeds into the pipes that flow into Cecelia Creek.
“Most importantly, people in the community are reporting the issue to the various agencies responsible, including the City of Victoria’s Public Works Department and the CRD,” said the City spokesperson.
“The provincial spill line is also available 24-hours a day. We thank people for staying vigilant and reporting what they see.”
According to the City of Victoria’s bylaws, anyone caught dumping prohibited substances down storm drains could be fined $1,000.
According to the Province’s Environmental Management Act, the company responsible could be liable for up to a $200,000 fine or up to six months in prison.
