Calypso Theme Waterpark has been fined $100,000 for violating the Environmental Protection Act after excess chlorine was discharged twice into the amusement park’s wave pool in 2012 causing adverse effects.
The Ontario Ministry of Environment confirmed Developpements Limoges Inc. pleaded guilty Thursday to two offences related to the leaks that caused approximately 20 people, mostly children, to become sick. Thirteen victims were taken to hospital with symptoms including shortness of breath, burning sensation and pain in the mouth, nose, eyes, throat and lungs, nausea and headaches.
The ministry confirmed that during a routine check on of the wave pool’s chemistry on Aug. 7, 2012 it was determined that chlorine levels were low and that there was an air leak that had shut down the pumps. Once the leak was repaired, the system was restarted, which forced a bubble of excess chlorine gas down the pipe through the wave pool’s floor resulting in the ill effects.
The next day a second similar incident occurred when a power outage caused the wave pool to briefly stop working. When the system was later restarted, a bubble of chlorine gas was released into the pool, resulting in two children being transported to hospital.
In addition to the fine, Developpements Limoges Inc., the company that operates the 100-acre park about 45 kilometres southeast of Ottawa was ordered to pay a victim fine surcharge of $25,000 and was given 60 days to pay the fine.
