A gardening business in the Winnipeg area has been ordered by the province to cease its composting operations.

Samborski Environmental has until Aug. 8 to remove compost material from its site near McGillivary Boulevard in the Rural Municipality of Macdonald.

"This is the last thing we want to do, but we just cannot continue to allow one organization to pollute with this odour and impact so many residents and businesses in the neighbourhood," said Dan McInnis, assistant deputy minister of conservation and water stewardship.

Late last year, the province issued the order for the company to remove those materials from its site due to environmental impacts from the composting operations on local residents and businesses, and the lack of an environmental licence.

Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship has received well over 200 complaints residents in the area due to the odour and management of the site, stated a news release from the province.

Following the order, a facilitator was appointed by the province in order to help Samborski wind down the operations at its current location and move to a more suitable location elsewhere.

"These efforts were unsuccessful and the environmental protection order will now be enforced," stated the news release.

"The three-week notice served today states the owner must cease operation of the composting business in the current location and ensure all material is properly disposed of.

" If the order is not adhered to by Aug. 8, officials from the province will step in and remove the compost from the site to ensure the environmental impacts are properly managed."