Grand Splash 2019: Montrealers jump into the river!

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, July 30, 2019 – More than a hundred swimmers joined the Montreal Bathing Citizen Committee today for the traditional jump into the St. Lawrence River, from the Jacques-Cartier quay in the Old Port of Montreal. This 15^e edition of Grand Splash mobilized swimmers to demand more public access to the shores of the island of Montreal and better control of water quality.

Regular participation

The event arouses unwavering enthusiasm from its first organizers who are still present, in particular Ms. Chantal Rouleau, Minister for Transport and Minister responsible for the Metropolis and the Montreal region, Mr. Léonce Naud of the Société des gens de bathade and by Mr. Pierre Lussier, Director of Earth Day.

Several elected officials from the City of Montreal also took the plunge into the waters of the river, notably Ms. Émilie Thuillier, borough mayor of Ahuntsic-Cartierville and Marie-Josée Parent, City councilor – Champlain-l'Ile-des district -Sisters, and gentlemen Sylvain Ouellet, city councilor – François-Perrault district and vice-president of the executive committee, Robert Beaudry, city councilor – Saint-Jacques district and member of the executive committee, as well as several other elected officials ( e)s.

Water quality

The latest results of bacteriological analyzes from July 24 at the Grand Splash location, carried out by the City of Montreal, revealed excellent water quality, i.e. 5 CFU/100 ml, well below the threshold of 20 CFU/100 ml. to have excellent water quality. The temperature there was 23 degrees Celsius.

Additional bacteriological analyzes carried out at 6:30 a.m. just before the Great Splash confirmed the excellent water quality of the Jacques-Cartier basin with a result of 0.64 mMFU/100 ml. This rapid result was obtained using new rapid analysis technology based on enzymatic reactions.

Swimming in the city: a priority

“The idea that the water in the river bordering the island of Montreal is not of good quality is false. However, you must be well informed about water quality conditions which often change depending on location and weather. We are pleased that our involvement can contribute to the identification of optimal solutions in terms of development and rapid analysis of the bacteriological quality of water, which will help in the realization of interesting projects such as that of the river bath in Vieux -Port of Montreal, the Bellerive promenade or the Eastern beach” declares Alain Saladzius, President of the Fondation Rivières and member of the Montréal Baignade Citizen Committee.

“2019 is an exceptional year for the Grand Splash, because on the one hand, we are happy to have passed the torch of organizing the event to the Fondation Rivières and this is the year of inauguration of Verdun beach, first milestone before the construction of a port bath at the Old Port”, declares Pierre Lussier, Director of Earth Day and member of the Montréal Baignade committee since 2003.

Montreal Swimming Citizen Committee

The Citizens Committee Montreal Swimming is a group of Montreal citizens concerned about the lack of public access to the banks and water of the St. Lawrence River, surrounding the island of Montreal. Every year, they meet during the summer period for the Grand Splash in order to assert their demands to elected officials and citizens. Since 2003, many citizens have invested in the cause.

Fondation Rivières

The Fondation Rivières's mission is to work to preserve, restore and enhance the natural character of rivers and lakes, as well as water quality. The Fondation Rivières supports activities promoting responsible recreational use of water, so that people reconnect with this precious shared resource.