Ground X hit with $454k fine for environmental infractions

Despite the company’s protests that it doesn’t handle waste, Ground X is now on the hook for $454,023 for repeatedly discharging liquid waste near Pitt River in Port Coquitlam.

The province issued the fine earlier this month in connection with nine incidents in March and April of 2024. The company, located at 750 Kingsway Ave., has faced two orders and four warnings over the same issue, according to the province.

In its defense, a company representative contended Ground X is a transfer facility that deals with material like asphalt grindings, broken concrete and non-contaminated soil from various earthwork projects.

“There is no waste disposal occurring at site,” the company representative stated. “One hundred percent of materials that enter the site leaves the site.”

However, when that soil mixes with water, effluent is created, the ministry concluded.

In dealing with slurry waste, the company uses a pond to allow for the water to be reused after the solids settle. That pond used an asphalt liner and was designed to “eliminate the possibility” anything would seep into the environment, according to the company.

Addressing the asphalt liner, the ministry concluded there was “no engineered or other evidence” to substantiate Ground X’s claim.

Samples collected from Ground X’s hydrovac pond: “demonstrate that the material is capable of injuring life forms or damaging the environment,” according to a penalty assessment form from the Ministry of Environment.

An analysis found benzo(a)pyrene and pyrene, both of which can harm aquatic plants, algae, invertebrates, and fish.

The harm is judged to be moderate, according to the ministry.

Following previous warnings, Ground X: “intentionally discharged effluent,” the ministry found.

“Ground X had a high degree of awareness and control over these contraventions,” the report stated.

The fine was based on several factors including potential harm, previous contraventions, whether those contraventions resulted in an economic benefit for the company, and whether the infractions were deliberate.

Ground X was ordered to pay the fine within 30 days.

Inspectors previously observed wastewater discharging into a ditching system on the northern edge of the site, as well as directly into the Pitt River to the south.

In the spring of 2022, a Ministry of Environment inspector observed: “hydrocarbons and sediment flowing from mill site into ditch” at the Ground X site, according to an inspector report released through a Freedom of Information request.

Samples collected during inspections on Nov. 29, 2021 and Dec. 7, 2023, showed the effluent contained metals, hydrocarbons, bacteria and other contaminants of concern.

Port Coquitlam sought an injunction against the company in 2024, as staff believed contaminants were being introduced into the environment. A total of 672 tickets had been issued, according to the city.