Overflowing septic tanks lead to $46K in fines for trailer park owner in Chapleau, Ont.

Issues including failing and overflowing septic tanks led to fines and surcharges totalling more than $57,00 for the owner of a mobile home park in Chapleau. (File)

Issues including failing and overflowing septic tanks led to fines and surcharges totalling more than $57,00 for the owner of a mobile home park in Chapleau.

The problems were so severe there was danger the sewage would contaminate the municipal water supply and led to boil water advisories.

The problems took place at Pine Park Trailer Park between July 18, 2018, and Sept. 17, 2020, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks said in a news release Thursday.

"Gaston Bouchard owns a mobile home park outside Chapleau known as Pine Park Trailer Park," the release said.

"The tenants of the park live there year-round, own their homes and rent the land from Mr. Bouchard."

Several homes are connected to a private septic tank, all located on land owned by Bouchard. They have a combined capacity exceeding 10,000 litres per day, which meant they required ministry approval.

"Many septic tanks are located very close to other tanks and shallow drinking water wells, and some are located in areas that make them susceptible to damage or compaction (for example, under a driveway)," the ministry said.

"Several of the septic tanks at the property are failing and overflowing onto land or into residents’ homes. Residents’ lives and property have been impacted by issues with their septic tanks."

The problems led the health unit to issue boil water advisories for the park "and there is a serious risk that raw sewage is contaminating drinking water wells and could be migrating to the municipal drinking water supply," the release said.

Bouchard was ordered to hire an engineer and develop an action plan to solve the problem on Aug. 16, 2018.

He also had to hire an approved company to remove the waste from overflowing septic tanks and apply for an Environmental Compliance Approval.

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"Mr. Bouchard did not comply with any of the items," the ministry said.

Bouchard was convicted of offences under the Ontario Water Resources Act in December 2022, but appealed in March 2023.

"On March 4, 2024, the appellant did not attend the appeal hearing," the release said.

"The court dismissed the appeal as abandoned."

In addition to the fines, Bouchard was also ordered to pay more than $2,000 restitution to an impacted resident of the park.

Read the full news release here.