Wentworth N. cleanup begins; cost depends on what's found

Cleanup at one of three sites storing hundreds of barrels that may contain toxic waste has begun -- sort of.

A team of five from First Response Environmental spent yesterday clearing overgrown brush, empty cans and other nonhazardous waste from 350 Wentworth St. N.

And the work is likely to continue for at least another three days before the team, led by director of operations Wesley Hicks, can begin an inventory of what exactly is contained in the barrels piled at the back of the property. Only when they know what's in the barrels can they devise a cleanup plan, Hicks said.

The price tag and timeline for the work is "the million dollar question," he said, adding that if it's oily water, each barrel will cost around $50 to dispose of, but if it's coal tar, it will be $500 to $600 a barrel.

Who pays is also a "million dollar question."

First Response was hired by property owner Harbhajan (Harry) Tamber. When reached on the phone, Tamber would only say he is following what the Ministry of the Environment directs.

More than a week ago, the MOE issued a rare and sweeping 15-step order against a number of current and past owners of the site stretching back to the 1990s.