Daugavpils City Council Administrative Commission imposed the fine on the company "Daugavpils ūdens" (Daugavpils water) which itself is owned by the council.
The penalty was determined on the basis of Article 58 of the Latvian Administrative Violations Code for pollution of air, land, forests or inland waters by waste water, chemical substances, including hazardous or other harmful substances, materials or waste, littering or other harmful effects. The maximum fine for such offenses is only €2,900.
However Elksniņš said that the punishment was appropriate: "The punishment is harsh and it will be a sign that if the rules were violated by public officials, municipal officials, municipal companies, they would be held accountable, just like anyone else."
The action came after members of the public complained about several sites at which the company was dumping materials.