ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP - Clean Harbor's neighbours are livid that none of the foul-smelling leachate that's plagued them for months left the hazardous waste facility Monday as originally ordered by Ontario's Environment Ministry.
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"My fear is that they'll never have to clean it up," said Lisa Cameron-Cook who lives about 2.5 kilometres from the site on Petrolia Line.
The company's neighbours have complained since August about the smell, which Clean Harbors says comes from excess leachate at its Telfer Road landfill.
"This is a very frustrating problem that needs to be addressed," said Cameron-Cook, who added the smell has made her vomit several times.
"It feels like a big corporation against the people who live around here, and they're winning."
The ministry issued an order Oct. 21 for Clean Harbors to start trucking two loads of leachate to another site daily beginning Oct 31.
The company requested a review of the order on Oct. 28, which included a request for a "stay."
Clean Harbors was granted the reprieve and is within its rights to ask for a review, said ministry spokesperson Kate Jordan.
"We understand the company is having difficulty finding a receiver for the leachate. They say they'd prefer to treat and destroy it on-
site, possibly by incineration."
MOE staff will analyze those options and will respond by Friday, she said.
The company's request for a review may be allowed by law, but it makes the system seem like a "farce," said one neighbour.
Jim Stenton is a Petrolia Line farmer who has suffered from nausea and a shortness of breath numerous times the past 10 weeks.
"The company doesn't really care about the community," he said. "They don't seem to be doing anything about it because the smell is still there. I'm just sick of this. It's just delay, delay, delay."
St. Clair Township Mayor Steve Arnold said he is extremely disappointed.
"A ministry order is very serious and the company should act on it in good faith" he said.
Cameron-Cook said she is concerned no improvements will be made over the winter months and the stench will overwhelm the neighbourhood next summer.
"Right now, we close our windows and it's not as bad," she said. "But what about enjoying our beautiful yard next year?
"I felt absolutely horrible this past summer and my friends and relatives stopped visiting."
A spokesman for Clean Harbors did not return The Observer's calls by presstime.
Sarnia Observer
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