Kelowna, B.C. resident launches petition against local fruit-packing plant – Okanagan [Video]

There’s growing concern amongst residents in Kelowna, B.C.’s Ellison neighbourhood regarding a nearby fruit packing plant, and its application to discharge a lot of wastewater into a local ditch.

One resident has launched a petition against Sandher Fruit Packers, and she’s urging local grocery stores to boycott them as well.

Inspectors with the Ministry of Environment recently visited the plant and found effluent from the company’s fruit washing and packing operation had been discharged into the environment.

A financial decision is pending, but, in the meantime, the company applied to legally dump its wastewater — a weekly amount that would fill an equivalent of 2,800 wheelbarrows.

And in January, residents began complaining about a stench in the area.

“A lot of people who drive by there every day are talking about it,” said Alexandra Wright, who owns Sweet Cherry Stables on Old Vernon Road, located downhill from Sandhers Fruit Packers.

“Some people say they can smell it from their …