Inspection report to be issued on fruit packing plant near Kelowna – Okanagan [Video]

A fruit company at the centre of a smelly controversy near a Central Okanagan neighbourhood was fined two years ago for releasing wastewater from a septic system and disposal field.

In 2022, the Ministry of Environment levied a $32,000 fine against Sandher Fruit Packers Ltd. for violating waste discharge regulations. According to the ministry, the dates of contravention spanned from Aug. 17, 2019, to April 12, 2022.

“After the cherries and apples are picked, they are taken to the Sandher facility to be washed and packaged,” said the ministry and specifically pointing to the company’s facility at 3231 Old Vernon Rd.

“During the fruit washing process, wastewater is discharged from the facility into (a) disposal field via a septic tank system.”

The ministry said Sandher Fruit Packers does not have authorization to discharge wastewater into the environment.

“Sandher acknowledged that no authorization had been obtained,” said the ministry. “During the inspection, the Ministry observed …