A Sault St. Marie industrial manufacturing plant, named one of the top polluters in the province, has cleaned up its act.
Praxair recorded 13 provincial wastewater discharge violations in 2000, down from 35 the previous year. Praxair was considered one of the filthiest industrial plants because they exceeded provincial levels on copper, dissolved organic, chemicals and solvent extractables.
A company official stated they have not exceeded provincial levels this year. During the fall of 2000, the Ministry of the Environment's abatement branch issued a provincial officer's order to coat the copper pipes on a cooling system where the water passed through. This type of operation allows the facility to continue to operate while it conducts studies and tests.
Since 1995, when the Progressive Conservatives formed the provincial government, industries have been asked to obey regulations only on a voluntary basis.
