Mountain Grove Landlord fined $5,000 for water Act Violations

Oct 18, 2023

Robert Hawley has been convicted on 4 charges related to the well water at a rental property that he owns in Mountain Grove.

The conviction was registered on August 28, 2023, but the date of offences is listed on the Ontario.ca newsroom site as the timeframe from May 2021 to July 2022.

The chronology of the events leading to the charges was outlined on the Ontario.ca newsroom article. It runs as follows.

“On April 21, 2021, the ministry received a complaint related to a water well located in Mountain Grove, Ontario. The well was located on a residential property owned by Robert Hawley.

“Tenants, who resided in a single-family dwelling on the property, complained to the ministry as they had concerns about water quality from the household taps that were connected to the well.

“On May 4, 2021, in response to the complaint, ministry staff attended the property to conduct an inspection of the well. Various compliance issues were noted, including a damaged and cracked well cover and vegetation and twigs floating in the well.

Ministry staff collected a raw water sample from an outdoor faucet at the house for analysis. Lab results later revealed that the well water sample was adverse and unsafe for human consumption.

“Ministry staff spoke with Mr. Hawley who advised that he had dug the well 10-12 years previously and had used the internet to guide him. Mr. Hawley never completed or submitted a well record to the ministry. Subsequently, Mr. Hawley was instructed to obtain the services of a licensed well contractor prior to conducting any new improvements to the well.

“On June 2, 2021, the ministry sent a notice to Mr. Hawley instructing him to complete several action items, including retaining the services of a licensed well contractor prior to engaging in any action items listed on the notice.

“On July 27, 2021, ministry staff re-attended the site and observed that the well had been altered since the May 4, 2021 inspection. This was confirmed by Mr. Hawley, who advised that he had conducted the alterations himself. A number of other compliance issues were noted.

“As a result, the ministry issued a Provincial Officer’s Order to Mr. Hawley requiring him to complete several work-ordered items by the compliance deadline.

“Mr. Hawley failed to complete the work items by the deadline, and the ministry’s Environmental Investigations and Enforcement Branch investigated and laid charges which resulted in the convictions.”