Coliforms in profusion in Saint-François

The source of these nauseating smells: pipes emerging for the most part from the embankment below boulevard des Mille-Îles. A few of these pipes emit a particularly insufferable odor. Toilet paper, sanitary napkins, even feces – all betray their points of origin.

The laboratory analysis relates to 10 of these pipes. The results show that out of 10 samples extracted between rue Claude and the eastern tip of Île Jésus, 7 contained in excess of 60,000 fecal coliforms per 100 ml. After reaching this level, the lab simply stops measuring.

According to the norms set by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks (MDDEP) for water-quality of recreational use, contact with water containing more than 1,000 coliforms per 100 ml must be avoided.

Nevertheless, the biologist concedes that the levels measured are abnormally high. According to him, "the real big problem is the possibility of direct contact with the wastewater."

Most of the pipes from which samples were taken are situated on the embankment of boulevard des Mille Îles that leads to the river's edge. Others extended across the bank. None of the pipes in question are below river water, as is required by the Provincial regulation (Q-2, r.8) Respecting the disposal and treatment of used water from isolated dwellings.

The water from these pipes sometimes flows for several dozen metres along the ground before reaching river water. People walking around, children playing or boaters can thus easily come into contact with the source of contamination.

For the experts on the government's regulatory measures, the submerging of these pipes is an absolute necessity, to allow the polluting material to be dissolved in the river. Even though the river is particularly dry this year, it is still without a doubt capable of dissolving the wastes noted, wastes that discharge rather weakly, suggests Didier Bicchi, town planner and head of municipal water services for the MDDEP.

And the pipes have to be extended into the water. "The objective from the moment there's waste is to ensure there's no risk to public health," summed up the urban expert.

At city hall, officials maintained that the rocky ground of the Rivière des Mille Îles limits the extent to which it can be insisted that property owners submerge the wastewater pipes in the river. The fluctuations in river levels, especially during dry spells, "would force property owners to extend or dig into the ground in unwarranted fashion in order to link the waste water pipes to the river," stated Ville de Laval spokesperson Marc Laforge. "Melting ice could also destroy these installations."

Photo: tuyau 11

(Photo: Martin Alarie)