The RMWB is facing five charges after improperly transporting a dangerous good in the region.

On May 8, 2017, there was a release of chlorine gas at the Fort McMurray Water Treatment Plant.

In a statement, the municipality notes they notified the public and Alberta Environment & Parks on the same day of the original incident.

“From the date of the incident through to present, the Municipality has continued to cooperate with Alberta Environment and Parks. An internal review of what took place led to procedural and safety improvements at the Water Treatment Plant.”

Despite this, the Government of Alberta decided to charge the municipality with the release of a substance that could potentially cause a significant adverse effect, the release of a substance into a waterworks system that could cause potable water to be unfit and cause variance from allowed concentrations, as well as failure to comply with an approval requiring the approval holder not to allow non-conforming chemicals to be in the waterworks system.

The RMWB is also facing one charge of failing to ensure that unloading connections were inspected to ensure that transported goods were discharged into the proper receiving line.

The municipality will have their first court appearance on July 17 in the Fort McMurray courthouse.