People in Kelowna, B.C.’s Ellison neighborhood are worried about a nearby fruit packing plant, and its request to release a large amount of wastewater into a local ditch.
Someone who lives there has started a petition against Sandher Fruit Packers, and she’s asking local grocery stores to also boycott them.
Environmental inspectors visited the plant and found that the company’s fruit washing and packing operation had released waste into the environment.
The company has applied to legally dispose of its wastewater as a financial decision is pending, which amounts to 2,800 wheelbarrows worth of water each week.
In January, residents started complaining about a bad smell in the area.
“Many people who drive by there every day are talking about it,” said Alexandra Wright, who owns Sweet Cherry Stables on Old Vernon Road, downhill from Sandhers Fruit Packers.
“Some people say they can smell it from their house, so that’s not fair, obviously.”
However, the foul odor is not the only thing that residents are upset about.
“We have very expensive horses and we’re a bit worried about the harm they’re causing to the water table and what the horses are drinking,” said John Wright.
“We had to change the filters on our house. I think we’re going to have to do the same for all of our animals’ stock water.”
In 2022, the Ministry of Environment imposed a $32,000 fine on Sandher Fruit Packers for breaking waste discharge rules.
According to the ministry, the violations occurred from Aug. 17, 2019, to April 12, 2022.
Now, the company has requested permission to release wastewater into the environment.
Alexandra Wright has initiated a petition against Sandher and she and her husband John are organizing a meeting on Tuesday night.
She wants this to push local governments to intervene, and to convince local grocery stores to stop selling the company’s products.
“Costco is specifically promoting Sandher as an environmentally friendly fruit producer. I have a problem with that because if you’re environmentally friendly, you wouldn’t be flooding your downhill neighbors who are also in this industry,” said Wright.
In a statement to Global News, the Ministry of Environment says, “protecting the health and well-being of our communities and the environment is our top priority. A referral for an administrative penalty is in process for this facility. At this time no final decision has been made on the penalty.”
John Wright believes more needs to be done than simply issuing a fine, as he is concerned that the plant will continue discharging wastewater without approval from the ministry.
“There are other plants that are following the rules and that plant needs to be closed until it starts following the rules.”
