GLIN==> Raw sewage releases continue to harm the health of St. Lawrence River

["Brent Gibson" <bgibson@glu.org>]

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

January 22, 2009

 

Raw sewage releases continue to harm the health of St. Lawrence River

New report shows that some Quebec communities still struggle to control raw sewage discharges

Montréal, January 22, 2009 – Despite important improvements in how Quebec’s cities deal with wastewater, infrastructure is still failing to keep up with the demand and millions of litres of raw sewage are entering the St. Lawrence River every year. The problems of the province’s aging systems, and ways to solve them are detailed in Eaux Usées et Fleuve Saint-Laurent Problèmes et Solutions, a report by Great Lakes United and Eau Secours!, which analyzed data filed with Quebec’s Ministry of municipal Affairs and Regions.

“Quebec’s sewage system is leaking, even in dry weather” said Hélène Godmaire, Program Director with Great Lakes United. “With millions of Quebecer’s depending on the St. Lawrence River for drinking water everyday, protecting water quality is about protecting our health and the health the entire ecosystem.”

The prevalence of combined sewers in many Quebec municipalities is a leading problem. In these communities, the pipes that carry sanitary waste from homes and businesses to a treatment plant combine with the pipes that collect stormwater from the streets. During heavy rain or snow melt, these pipes can quickly be overwhelmed. To prevent sewers from backing up, this soup of sewage and waste is diverted directly into the St. Lawrence River.

“Dumping raw sewage into the St. Lawrence should only happen during emergencies,” said Godmaire. “Our infrastructure is woefully antiquated, and action needs to be taken today not only to improve it, but to rethink how we manage stormwater and wastewater.”

The report recommends a series of actions that the province, municipalities and individuals can take to help protect the province’s primary source of drinking water. In addition to upgrading infrastructure, there are actions that can be taken rapidly, including:

• Improving stormwater management
• Eliminating combined sewer overflows and cross-connections
• Better controlling pollution from industry and domestic sources
• Reducing water consumption in the home

“There is nothing new in what should be done. The challenge is to ensure that these solutions are promoted and implemented,” said Martine Ouellet, president of Eau Secours!. “It is essential that governments unlock funds in infrastructure programs so that all municipalities are disinfecting their wastewater within the next tens years.”

“Upgrading sewage infrastructure – often over a century old – is a key part of improving the health of the St. Lawrence, but it isn’t the only action that must be taken,” said Godmaire. “Low-cost green solutions, such as downspout disconnection, rain gardens, porous pavement, and green roofs are innovative and attractive options that can make an important difference.”

The full report, available in French only, can be found at www.glu.org.

Contact:
Hélène Godmaire, Program Director, Great Lakes United, 716-396-3333
Martine Ouellet, President, Eau Secours! 514-568-0777

 

 

____________________________________

Brent Gibson

Director, Communications

Great Lakes United

(613) 867-9861

bgibson@glu.org | www.glu.org