Suncor, contractors faced dozens of charges in 2008 over alleged waste water dumping

Oilsands giant Suncor and two of its contractors each faced dozens of charges in early 2008 in connection with allegations of dumping undertreated waste water into the Athabasca River and providing false or misleading information to the province about it, CBC News has learned.

The charges, which were laid in February 2008 under Alberta's Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, related to the monitoring of waste water from a Suncor-owned work camp that houses up to 3,500 people at the company's operations north of Fort McMurray, Alta.

At the time the charges were laid, the government alleged that undertreated waste water was dumped into the Athabasca River for just under two years. The government also alleged at the time that all of the parties provided "false or misleading information" about some monitoring results.

The treatment plant operator, Rodney McCabe, and his company, R&D McCabe Ltd., were each charged with 90 counts, while Suncor and Compass Group were each charged with 43 counts.

According to Alberta Environment, Suncor and camp operator the Compass Group of Canada have had their charges reduced to one count each. Suncor currently faces one charge of exceeding approved limits and Compass Group is charged with failing to report exceeding approved limits.

Meanwhile, CBC News has learned that McCabe and his company pleaded guilty to six charges last week: two charges of giving false and misleading information, two charges of failing to report and two charges of exceeding approved limits.

Suncor took action as soon as it learned about the problem from Alberta Environment in early 2007, Suncor spokesman Brad Bellows said Tuesday.

"The subcontractor who was responsible for the water treatment facilities was replaced very quickly, and the new contractor in place is a well-respected utility company that handles this type of facility in many locations," he said.

The alleged infractions are not related to any mining activity, and the waste water was not raw sewage, but instead was water "insufficiently treated for return to the river," Bellows said.

Bellows said the company also took steps to ensure there was no impact on the Athabasca River, which runs through the northern Alberta oilsands.

"We do take this very seriously and we have really tried to co-operate to the greatest extent possible with the investigation," Bellows said.

When contacted by CBC News, McCabe declined comment.

No one from the Compass Group had returned a call from the CBC by late Wednesday.

The next court appearances for Suncor and Compass Group are on April 2 in Fort McMurray.

McCabe is scheduled to be sentenced in May.