Coldstream farm proceeds with manure requirements

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 28, 2010 12:00 PM

A Coldstream business won’t speculate on whether it was responsible for contaminating a well, but it insists action is being taken. Pan-O-Ramic Farms has been issued a pollution prevention order by the Ministry of Environment in relation to the investigation of contamination of the Antwerp Springs ground well in January. Rod Palfrey would not comment on whether his company played a role in the incident. “I have seen a document (from the ministry) but I haven’t seen any water or soil reports,” he said. But Palfrey says he has followed all requirements of the order. “We are working together,” he said of Pan-O-Ramic Farms and the ministry.“We have worked with them before and it all worked out.”According to the ministry, the pollution prevention order was issued after onsite inspections determined that measures must be taken to avoid contaminated runoff. The order requires immediate remedial action to prevent overflow from the runoff containment system and retention of a qualified professional to develop and guide the implementation of a surface drainage control plan to contain all manure-contaminated runoff. The company must also stop applying any additional manure to the property until a nutrient management plan has been prepared by a qualified professional and is approved by the ministry.

Antwerp Springs, on Highway 6 in Lavington, was shut down Jan. 13 after contamination was discovered, impacting about 3,000 residents. Residents were switched from the ground wells to the Duteau Creek source Jan. 21. Ministry of Environment officials are saying little about the order initiated against Pan-O-Ramic Farms. “As this is the subject of active investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time,” said David Currie, public affairs officer.

The ministry also ordered the North Okanagan Regional District to develop a closure plan for Antwerp Springs and to complete the work. “We have complied with all of the order,” said Arnold Badke, general manager of engineering. “That was accomplished by April 22. We have also received correspondence from the ministry advising that the requirements of the order have been met.”