PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Montreal, October 10, 2021 – Fondation Rivières made public the report on a pollution screening carried out in Témiscamingue in collaboration with the Témiscamingue Watershed Organization (OBVT).
This study was carried out in response to concerns about the presence of pig maternities from the Olymel company near waterways, coupled with a significant drop in water quality recorded in recent years. Innovative rapid pollution detection technology was used and combined with laboratory analyzes to determine the location of contamination peaks, but also the nature of the contamination (human, bovine, or porcine).
The sources of contamination were indeed discovered going up the Rivière à la Loutre and the Petite rivière Blanche, during a one-week sampling campaign in November 2020. However, they turned out to be more diverse than expected ; to the point that it has been shown that pig maternities are not among the main sources of contamination.
“These results say a lot about the importance of good practices in wastewater management, but also in agricultural spreading techniques. So you shouldn't trust appearances! », Explains André Bélanger, general manager of Fondation Rivières.
A call to action is therefore requested by the Foundation, to respond adequately to this discovery of the contamination of waterways, which is rather of human and bovine origin.
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Documents to consult:
For informations :
Christian Généreux
Responsible for communications, development and mobilization
514 272-2666, ext. 302
communications@fondationrivieres.org
