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Rankings and map of wastewater spills in Quebec

Rankings and map of wastewater spills in Quebec

A tool to understand the scale of wastewater spills

The ranking of wastewater spills presents the annual ranking of municipalities, from worst to best, according to the intensity of spills per capita. Spills refer to untreated water discharged into rivers.

This exercise makes it possible to distinguish municipalities which have improved since the previous year from those where the situation has deteriorated, and to encourage elected officials to correct the problems. The ranking is made from the map of wastewater spills.

Ranking of cities and municipalities according to the spill intensity index per capita

Compare cities and municipalities according to their size (small, medium or large). 

Let's act now to reduce spills

What cannot be measured cannot be corrected! Send a clear message to the government to intervene with the 194 cities that are not properly measuring spills, even though it has been mandatory for almost 10 years.

Wastewater spills in Quebec between 2017 and 2022

Discover the evolution of the performances of the 700 municipalities of Quebec according to the spill intensity index.

Portrait by region: an index and a high number of spills in Montérégie

Map of wastewater discharges

Map of wastewater discharges provides a more global picture of the situation: it lists the number of spills and their total monthly duration in the municipalities. The municipalities are required by law to provide this information to the Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP). The interactive map is based on data from the MELCCFP.

Understand how the map works

Do you have questions about the Fondation Rivières winners?

Credits and acknowledgements

The wastewater map is based on the data collected by the MELCCFP between 2011 and 2021. Data extraction and organization was made possible by the AuditEAU, a wastewater management software developed by our team with the support of the Koda agency. The first version benefited from the contribution of students. from UQAM's journalism program and media school, under the supervision of the teacher Jean Hugues Roy.

Wastewater management in Quebec: an issue of adaptation to climate change

Significant quantities of wastewater are discharged into Quebec's rivers every day because they cannot be treated by municipal sewage systems. Heavy rains, insufficient capacity and failure (cross-connections) of sewer systems, under-investment by the government, urban development without consideration for the environment: the causes are multiple.

Climate change is not helping the situation. According to Ouranos, episodes of heavy rain will be more intense and more frequent, resulting in flooding and overflows due to overloading of sewer networks.

What are the solutions to stop spills?

Spill Reduction Objective

Quebec does not have an overall objective for reducing wastewater discharges. The Ministry of the Environment asks municipalities not to increase the number beyond that of 2013 and even gives them until 2030 to do so. Instead, it should encourage them to reduce spills, as some municipalities are already doing! 

Strategic financing of municipal infrastructure

By allocating funding to municipalities based on the impact on their receiving environment rather than on a first-come, first-served basis, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MAMH) would greatly contribute to the solution.

Proper Spill Measures

Measuring spills correctly is essential to have a clear picture of the situation and be able to act at the source. However, nearly 200 municipalities do not do it even though it has been obligatory for almost 10 years. The Ministry of the Environment imposes almost no sanctions. If cities were monitored, they would certainly be more likely to comply with the regulation.

Territory Development

More green infrastructure and less impermeable (concrete) surfaces would reduce pressure on sewer networks. The absorbent power of plants would limit rainwater runoff. Also, the Real estate development must be done in harmony with the capacity of the network. Some cities do not hesitate to impose a moratorium on development, a bold and exemplary gesture!

Make a difference for the environment

Become a member of the Foundation by donating. Your contribution allows our team to continue to mobilize to protect Quebec's rivers and waterways for future generations. 

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