(submitted photo/Voyent Alert)

By Nicole Reis

Illegal Dumping

City seeks assistance in identifying those responsible for illegal disposal

Jan 29, 2020 | 5:12 PM

The City of Meadow Lake is seeking the public’s assistance is locating individuals who have illegally dumped large waste on private land.

According to city manager Diana Burton, the city is not involved with commercial waste bins and may assist owners with dumping in some circumstances.

Recently a couch was dumped at Lakeview School and city staff want to know who put it there.

“In this instance, the issue is people should only dump in places set up for that and those aren’t public dumpsters on private land,” she said.

City bylaw states: “The residential collection system is solely for the collection of wastes from city residents and property owners. No person shall place commercial waste in a residential container or deposit any waste originating from outside the city limits in a residential container.”

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Burton noted the Northwest Regional Waste Management Facility (NRWMF) near Rapid View takes large items at a minimum of $2, though most waste costs are based on weight.

According to their website, NRWMF charges $25 per fridge, freezer, water cooler or air conditioner, $5 each washer, dryer, stoves, Tires at a minimum of $10 per tire, box springs or mattresses are $10 each.

Flora Katzer, manager with NRWMF, said the average sofa deposit costs around $5 to $12.

“Chances are whoever did that had no way to bring it here or they just couldn’t be bothered,” Katzer said.

Burton said the city offers residents two free pickups of yard waste during spring and fall months where public works will pick up compost in laneways and haul bags to the dump free of charge. Any items outside those parameters are up to residents to dispose of at the local landfill.

“For residents, we provide the garbage cans and recycling bins to get rid of residential household waste, but our contractor is not set up to pick up couches off the side of the road,” Burton said.

According to Meadow Lake Community Safety Officer, Joe Hallahan, there is no set fine amount for illegal dumping violations. Anyone caught will be issued an automatic court date where a judge will determine fines of $0 to $10,000.

You can refer to the city’s waste management bylaws here.

Editors note: This story was amended to change the name Flora Katzer not Catzer as previously reported. As well as update a few prices.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722