City of Hamilton faces environmental charge over stinky compost plant

The City of Hamilton and its contractors have been charged over an infamous stench that forced the closure of the municipal compost plant more than two year ago.

The city shuttered its Burlington Street plant in the face of worsening odours in June 2018 that spurred resident complaints of headaches and nausea. The stink was reported as far away as the downtown and Gage Park.

The province has spent more than two years investigating whether the odour problems - which stretched back over three years - broke the law and who is to blame.

The city announced in a release Friday it faces a charge under the Environmental Protection Act for permitting the discharge of a contaminant." It was not immediately clear if the city faces more than one charge.

Unspecified contractors" also face the same charge and a February date before the Ontario Court of Justice.

It's unclear what penalties the city - and taxpayers - might face if the municipality is convicted of the charge.

But a few years ago, a London compost plant run by Orgaworld Canada was fined $1.1 million after being convicted under the EPA for releasing odours "that caused an adverse effect" over three years.

Hamilton's plant is currently run by AIM Environmental Group.

But Hamilton is now seeking new bidders for the composting contract. That includes looking at the possibility of sending food to an out-of-town processor or even running the plant with city employees.

More to come.

Matthew Van Dongen is a Hamilton-based reporter covering transportation for The Spectator. Reach him via email: mvandongen@thespec.com