PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Montreal, March 16, 2016 – Overflows of untreated wastewater continue briskly in the river and rivers, particularly in the North River, according to a report produced by Fondation Rivières and sent to each of its 13 tributary municipalities. This report evaluates the performance of the 18 wastewater treatment plants and presents the number of untreated water overflows for the period from 2008 to 2015.
This is the first portrait of the performance of sanitation systems since the discharge of Montreal's wastewater into the river, still fresh in our memory. A first report produced in 2012 had already highlighted the problems in the towns of Saint-Jérôme, Mirabel and Lachute. These results remain as negative as no perceptible improvement has been observed over the last four years. In addition to being foul-smelling and a serious threat to health, wastewater affects fish habitat, prevents swimming, harms water activities and fishing, and long-term changes to ecosystems.
The data used for this assessment of the Rivière du Nord comes from the Monitoring of Municipal Water Sanitation Works (SOMAE) system of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy.
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For informations :
Alain Saladzius
President
514 924-2013
presidency@fondationrivieres.org
Photo: Antonio Magri/Unsplash
