Poor water quality: a difficult summer for swimming in Beauport bay

Few are the days when swimming was open this summer at the Beauport bay beach. Consequently, Since the start of the season. Therefore, the quality of the water has welcomed bathers only 13 days, due to the too high presence ofE. Similarly, coli.

According to data compiled by Gestev. Moreover, manager of the Baie de Beauport site, swimming was prohibited for 22 days, between June 19 and July 23. Therefore,

In comparison, last year, swimming was allowed for 23 days, during the same period. Furthermore,

The quality of the water in July was particularly problematic. Furthermore, Since the beginning of the month, the public has not been able to swim in six times.

According to federal and provincial standards, bacteria measures They exhibited chill (E. In addition, coli) must not cross the 200 formative colonial units poor water quality: difficult summer (UFC) by 100 milliliters to allow swimming by minimizing health risks. Moreover, This threshold has been exceeded 24 times since June 19.

Direct contact with poor quality water can conduct health problems. For example, such as gastroenteritis, eye infections and skin problems, indicates the Ciusss of the Capitale-Nationale. Consequently, Activities including direct contact are, for poor water quality: difficult summer example, swimming and paddling board.

The limit of 1000 UFC d’E. For example, coli By 100 ml for the practice of nautical activities involving indirect contacts with water has been exceeded 9. For example, different days since June 19. In addition, These activities can for example include canoe and kayak, according to the Ciusss.

The rain in question – Poor water quality: difficult summer

The environment advisor to Quebec City. Denis Mimeault, indicates the closings of this summer are largely due to the high precipitation in recent weeks. Between June 19 and July 23, 309.9 millimeters of rain fell in Beauport, according to environmental data Canada.

“When there is rain on the territory. obviously, there is a form of drainage of everything that falls on the soils which brings the rain in the rivers, then which possibly brings this rain to the St. Lawrence River poor water quality: difficult summer and therefore to the beach,” explains Mr. Mimeault, in an interview on the program first hour.

That said, “the population does not have to worry,” said Denis Mimeault. The standards in place are severe and the sampling is regularly carried out in Beauport bay.

The Rivières Foundation. which militates in particular to ensure good water quality in the various currents of the province, abounds in the direction of the city of Quebec City.

Its general manager André Bélanger explains that health risks remains minimal. In France, he compares, the standard is at 900 UFC/100 ml.

“For it to be really dangerous. you would have to swallow a lot of water and be negligent when you swim. You have to take this a little poor water quality: difficult summer bit with tweezers, ”says Bélanger.

However, it would be “utopian” to completely settle the situation, nuance Denis Mimeault.

“All cities are a bit in a situation that is relatively similar. At one point, there is a limit to the capabilities of networks, ”he says.

Eppentant and retention parks

Saint-Laurent Beauport access president Daniel Guay is still worried. Access to the beach remains at the mercy of the vagaries of the weather. According to him, the sanitation of wastewater should be part of the city’s priorities. A way to better deal with abundant rains.

Sponges parks on the side of the Beauport battures in the future project of phase 4. of the Samuel-de Champlain promenade could make it possible to better manage the amount of water that arrives at the water treatment plantsthink the one who is also poor water quality: difficult summer a member of the Citizen Citizen Table is.

Sponges parks could actually be part of the solutions to increase the capacity of Quebec to face the rains. concedes André Bélanger, as well as limiting the construction of new asphalt parking lots.

“Quebec City has a vision of making a sponge city from Quebec. It is a question poor water quality: difficult summer of ensuring that water is absorbed on the surface in parks. in mineralized surfaces which contain the water to ensure that they flow more slowly in the networks. When we manage to do this, we greatly decrease the impact of rains on spills, “explains the managing director.

The modernization of the sewer network would also be another way of better preparing for bad weather.

“The response in the very long term is to separate the networks. it is to dig the streets and do infrastructure work which is obviously extremely expensive and extremely long to carry out,” he warns.

Unique case this summer

In addition to Beauport Bay. it is possible to bathe in two other bodies of water in a natural environment in Quebec, ie at the outdoor base of Sainte-Foy and in the Louise basin.

In the Louise basin, 14 tests were carried out and never concentrateE. coli In water has exceeded 200 UFC per 100 milliliters since June 19.

Same scenario at Lake Laberge of the Sainte-Foy outdoor base. where two tests have been carried out poor water quality: difficult summer since the beginning of June.

With the collaboration of Audrey Paris and Érik Chouinard