PRESS RELEASE
FOR BROADCAST ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3 AT 7 A.M.
Montreal, November 3, 2022 – For a third year, Fondation Rivières makes public the list of municipalities that stand out in terms of the intensity of their wastewater spills. Le Québec a connu 36 391 déversements d’eaux usées en 2021, contre 52 794 l’année précédente. La Fondation innove cette année en affichant l’evolution of the performances of the 700 municipalities from 2017 to 2021, and this decrease is reflected in the intensity of spills per capita, which has been declining overall for five years.
Less precipitation, fewer spills
A growing number of municipalities are experiencing a decline in the intensity and number of spills. This decrease can be largely attributed to exceptional meteorological phenomena: early melting in spring 2020 had reduced the load on the sewer networks during the big spring rains and there had been little precipitation during the period of spring melt in 2021.
« Il faut se réjouir des résultats du palmarès 2021, mais le portrait sera probablement moins reluisant en 2022, alors qu’on a connu plusieurs épisodes de précipitations intenses au printemps et à l’été », nuance le directeur général de la Fondation Rivières, André Bélanger.
Once again, some municipalities have an advantage in the rankings since they do not have electronic recorders allowing them to count the number and duration of spills. The 2021 ranking, however, reflects the number of diversions carried out by municipalities. Diversion occurs at wastewater treatment plants when wastewater is not properly treated before being released into rivers.
Cities more ambitious than the provincial
The Fondation Rivières invited the 35 most populous cities and municipalities in each administrative region and which are at the top of the ranking to react to their performance. Eight of them provided explanations, either Alma, Baie-Comeau, Blainville, Granby, Lévis, Longueuil, Montreal and Quebec.
Several of them emphasized having adopted objectives aimed at a net reduction in spills, a position which contrasts with that of the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP ). This did not provide Quebec with an overall objective for reducing wastewater spills, but simply asks not to increase the number beyond 2013 levels, according to its ministerial position of September 22, 2021 In this same ministerial position, he even grants municipalities a deadline until January 1, 2030 to achieve this objective. Until then, additional discharges are permitted.
« On est dans la bonne direction, affirme André Bélanger. On constate que les élu.e.s municipaux sont sensibles aux enjeux de la qualité de l’eau et que l’amélioration pourrait être accélérée si le gouvernement du Québec avait des objectifs de réduction de déversements et débloquait les investissements nécessaires pour les rencontrer. Nos élu.e.s municipaux sont plus ambitieux que notre gouvernement provincial. »
Attestations d’assainissement : un outil efficace entre les mains d’un ministère en manque de ressources
However, the MELCCFP hassanitation certificates, a regulatory tool that has the power to help municipalities accelerate and prioritize the work needed to reduce spills. These certificates are the result of an evaluation of the performance of municipal works by the MELCCFP and they allow it to take action in the event of non-compliance.
La municipalité qui dispose d’une attestation d’assainissement obtient plus rapidement et facilement le financement afin de corriger les ouvrages problématiques, incluant la mise en place d’infrastructures vertes et le remplacement des réseaux unitaires par des réseaux séparatifs, auprès du ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation (MAMH). Pour l’instant, les demandes de financement par les municipalités déposées au MAMH sont traitées sur une base de premier arrivé, premier servi, alors qu’elles devraient être traitées selon leur potentiel de réduire l’impact sur le milieu récepteur.
However, barely 160 municipalities out of 850 for which a certificate has been issued to date. It will be necessary to wait until 2026 for this work to be completed. Not only must the MELCCFP devote more resources to speeding up their issuance, but it should also make their content public. You currently have to submit an access to information request to consult them, even though they are of public interest and act as a guide for municipalities.
About the Spill Intensity Index
The ranking is based on the spill intensity index developed by Fondation Rivières. The intensity of spills per capita is an indicator that takes into account the duration of spills and the size of the overflowing structure. It makes it possible to compare the performance of municipalities with each other, regardless of their size, and to distinguish those which have improved compared to previous years from those where the situation has deteriorated.
About the Fondation Rivières
For 20 years, the Fondation Rivières has worked to preserve, restore and highlight the natural character of rivers. It helps ensure water quality and access to water for the Quebec population, taking into account social, environmental and economic dimensions.
To consult the 2021 rankings, the history of the last 5 years, the interactive map and the reaction of the municipalities: https://fondationrivieres.org/carte-palmares-deversements-quebec/
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Source :
Sophie Lachance
Communications and Mobilization Leader
Fondation Rivières
514-272-2666, ext. 307
communications@fondationrivieres.org
Photo: Fondation Rivières
