{"id":36436,"date":"2022-06-01T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-01T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fondationrivieres.org\/?p=36436"},"modified":"2023-01-16T11:59:45","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T16:59:45","slug":"gestion-eaux-usees-baie-des-chaleurs-melcc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fondationrivieres.org\/en\/gestion-eaux-usees-baie-des-chaleurs-melcc\/","title":{"rendered":"Wastewater management: Baie-des-Chaleurs in the MELCC\u2019s blind spot"},"content":{"rendered":"

PRESS RELEASE<\/strong>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Montreal, June 1, 2022 \u2013<\/strong> Fondation Rivi\u00e8res and the South Gasp\u00e9 Water Council (CEGS)<\/a>\u00a0make public a study which reveals the need for the Ministry of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change (MELCC) to devote more means and resources to municipalities in the south of the Gasp\u00e9 Peninsula in the management of wastewater in order to preserve the integrity of salmon rivers, breathe new life into shellfish harvesting and guarantee recreational and tourism uses in the region.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No requirement for phosphorus discharges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The study of the performance of wastewater treatment plants reveals that no form of phosphorus removal or measurement of phosphorus concentrations in the effluent is required for three stations discharging their treated water into salmon rivers \u2013 Bonaventure<\/a>, Grand Pabos Ouest and Petite Cascapedia \u2013 which are sensitive to nutrient inputs and algae development. \u201cWe set up a phosphate removal system, even if we were not obliged to do so. We want to do better, but for that, we need the support of the Ministry of the Environment, which must assume its role as regulator,\u201d explains Roch Audet, mayor of Bonaventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wastewater still untreated<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Two municipalities still discharge their wastewater without treatment directly into Chaleur Bay, removing only solid waste using a screen. These are among the 81 municipalities in Quebec which still do not carry out wastewater treatment, despite themselves, for lack of adequate government support, while the Regulation respecting municipal wastewater treatment works (ROMAEU)<\/a> has been requiring it for over a year (December 31, 2020).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overflows harmful to shellfish harvesting  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the risk they pose for swimming and water activities, frequent overflows of untreated wastewater represent a source of contamination which can be considerable for populations of bivalve molluscs located along the coast. of Chaleur Bay. Result: several harvesting sectors are closed due to the risk to public health, depriving residents of the peninsula from practicing this traditional activity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where is the Ministry of the Environment? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If an intervention by Fisheries and Oceans Canada is necessary to reopen the cockle fishing sectors, a significant reduction in the frequency of overflows and more sustainable management of stormwater at the municipal level are just as essential to do so. arrive. However, municipalities in the south of the Gasp\u00e9 Peninsula deplore the lack of logistical, scientific and financial resources to comply with the requirements of the MELCC, whose support is long overdue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alerted by the Foundation about the worrying concentrations of phosphorus released into salmon rivers, the MELCC says it expects a period of four to five years before implementing measures to reduce inputs to the stations concerned. However, the MELCC has considered them as sensitive receiving environments for almost 15 years. An acceleration is necessary, at a time when algae proliferation is now observed every year in the estuaries of the Bonaventure and Petite Cascapedia rivers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For municipalities equipped with a simple screen, administrative delays sometimes combined with a disagreement between the MELCC and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MAMH) on the design of new wastewater treatment plants delay their construction. Better consultation between these bodies is essential to move forward on such issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis project would not have been possible without the close collaboration of the municipalities concerned. Thanks to their efforts, we firmly believe that progress in protecting water environments will be generated. In addition, the project will have made it possible to strengthen local expertise in wastewater management. \u00bb evokes the general director of CEGS, Julie Leblanc. \u201cThese problems have been known in the region for a long time. It is time for the MELCC to prioritize these issues: it is the future of the regional tourism offering that is compromised, in addition to aquatic ecosystems,\u201d declares the general director of Fondation Rivi\u00e8res, Andr\u00e9 B\u00e9langer. This study clearly highlighted the lack of ambition of the Quebec government in its management of wastewater and the protection of waterways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the study<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fondation Rivi\u00e8res was mandated by the South Gasp\u00e9sie Water Council (CEGS) to produce a performance study of municipal sanitation systems and diagnosis of pollution sources, following the observation of the development of green algae in estuaries of the Bonaventure and Petite Cascapedia rivers in recent years. The study, conducted in 2021, covers the CEGS territory over the period 2017 to 2020. The analysis concerns 14 municipal sanitation stations and 91 overflow structures distributed in 11 municipalities: Bonaventure, Caplan, Carleton-sur-Mer , Chandler, Grande-Rivi\u00e8re, Hope, Maria, New Richmond, Perc\u00e9, Port-Daniel-Gascons and Saint-Sim\u00e9on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Fondation Rivi\u00e8res<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For 20 years, Fondation Rivi\u00e8res has worked to preserve, restore and enhance the natural character of rivers and contributes to ensuring water quality and access to water for the Quebec population. The Foundation analyzed the performance of municipal sanitation systems in more than 200 municipalities in Quebec in collaboration with six watershed organizations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

About CEGS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The South Gasp\u00e9sie Water Council (CEGS) is a watershed organization mandated by the Government of Quebec to promote and support the protection and development of water and its uses. The CEGS intervention territory covers the southern part of Gasp\u00e9sie, i.e. 47 main watersheds, from the Nouvelle River to the Malbaie River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-30-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Documents: <\/h4>\n\n\n\n