A quarter of the private wells analyzed in Estrie as part of a study have too high concentration in manganese and almost one in 10 in arsenic. Two metals that can have great health consequences. Despite the proven risks of long -term consumption, few citizens have their wells tested, according to organizations.
This public health issue requires greater involvement of the State, especially in terms of awareness, according to these organizations.
If you have something that can cause a health problem, it’s better to know before you have a problem
exclaims the owner of the Hodgdale farm in Ulverton, Darren Hodge.
Its well was recently tested as part of an awareness program for the water governance council of the sides of the Saint-François river (COGESAF).
The owner of the Hodgdale farm in Ulverton, Darren Hodge.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Thomas Deshaies
A concentration almost five times greater than the manganese standard has been detected in its well: 550 micrograms, while the new standard which entered into force in June 2024 is 120 micrograms.
In the long term, consumption of its water could have effects on health, especially in children, especially on their intellectual development. I spoke with a Danville water treatment guy who could install a softener, explains Mr. Hodge. It will be between $ 2,000 and $ 3,000.
The more important potability problem
In Estrie
The case of Mr. Hodge is far from unique: 26 % of the wells analyzed as part of a study that started in 2018 had too high concentration in manganese. In addition, 8.2 % of wells exceeded the criterion for arsenic, whose consumption is associated with carcinogenic effects.
This study, named Portrait of groundwater resources in Estriewas published a year ago. She updated data that had been taken for the last time in the 1970s, so almost 50 years ago
underlines one of the authors, Julie Grenier, who is also director of projects at the Water Governance Council of the watersheds of the Saint-François River (COGESAF).
Julie Grenier is director of projects at the Water Governance Council of Basins of the Saint-François River.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Thomas Deshaies
Although metal overruns have been observed in several sectors in the region, the authors specify that Excess or high concentrations of manganese are found mainly in the MRCs of Val-Saint-François as well as of Memphremagog.
Cancer and development challenges for children
The risks associated with the consumption of water with a high concentration of metals are very real, according to the National Institute of Public Health (Inspq).
For manganese, studies tend to demonstrate that it can have neurological effects for children, including an attack on motor functions, memory, behavior, including certain intellectual effects
explains the health specialist in health at the Directorate of Environmental Health at theINSPQCaroline Huot.
For pregnant women, the arsenic would be linked to an increase in the risk of certain unfavorable outcomes of pregnancy.
As for the arsenic, it is associated with risks of certain cancers, including lung, bladder and brain, mentions the doctor-specialized at theINSPQNicolas Parenteau. There are also long -term effects in the heart, circulatory, lung and kidneys.
It is a carcinogen, it is unequivocal, insists the advisory doctor in the Directorate of Public Health of Estrie, Mélissa generous. It is still rather a beautiful argument [pour faire tester son puit].
Dr. Parenteau explains that even if the standard is 10 micrograms per liter for this metal, it is recommended to Reduce levels to the lowest reasonably achievable.
Few wells analyzed by the owners
The project director at COGESAFJulie Grenier, is actively involved in the awareness of citizens to have the water of their well tested. Arsenic, manganese is not something that you taste in water. People are not going to see the impact directly.
Despite everything, the field observations suggest that private owners would not have their water to test.
The public health of Estrie led almost 20 years ago an awareness campaign to encourage citizens to make analyzes for arsenic in their well. Only 16 % of targeted people then analyzed their water. Would it be the same today? It would be very relevant to redo the exercise, underlines the medical adviser to the Directorate of Public Health of Estrie, Mélissa generous. I have the impression that people are a little more aware.
Can we think today that 100 % of well owners make their well detect in search of arsenic or manganese? I really don’t think it’s. So, everything suggests that there is still material to invest more to raise awareness.
Analyze your well : course 101
In Quebec, it is the owners of the individual wells who are responsible for making water analysis and defraying the costs. They can contact an accredited laboratory (new window) To find out the procedure and recover an analysis kit in their region.
According to Quebec, The analysis of microbiological parameters should be done at least twice a year and the analysis of chemical contaminants should be carried out at least once during the period of use of your well.
The COGESAF obtained funding in recent years to support three municipalities and offer a preferential rate to private well owners to try to improve the balance sheet. We had a hundred places that we filled very quickly
explains Ms. Grenier. The project is now over.
A positive project according to the mayor of the municipality of Saint-François-Xavier-de-Brompton, Adam Rousseau. Those who have had results may have spoken to their neighbors.
Adam Rousseau, mayor of Saint-François-Xavier-de-Brompton
Photo: Radio-Canada / Thomas Deshaies
He also recalls that wells a few meters away can have a diametrically opposite quality. He demonstrated it with the CPE well under construction and that of the municipal park. The wells are 400 meters from each other, but they are completely opposed to quantity and quality. We can not presume only because our neighbor has a good quality that it will be the same for us.
Awareness and solutions
The mayor believes that it is necessary to do more to tackle the problem, but that cities cannot assume this burden alone. We do not necessarily have the technical and financial capacities to start mounting these campaigns. It supports it.
Do we sensitize people enough for that? I don’t believe.
The authors of Portrait of groundwater resources in Estrie already recommended in 2024 of dedicate resources to the awareness of owners of private wells and their support to facilitate the analysis of the water of their well.
A question of public health, according to Julie Grenier. It can be seen as an investment to reduce treatment costs compared to diseases that may arise from this consumption.
Also according to Ms. Grenier, the major brake on water analysis, It is the fear of not knowing how to interpret results and funding.
But are there solutions to treat arsenic and manganese? Yes, thanks to good expert advice. Having an independent organization that will help the citizen to choose the right formula to treat their water when there is a contamination is a winning element.
We realized that what works the most is when we have the collaboration of the municipalities.
The Directorate of Public Health of Estrie plans to launch an awareness campaign concerning manganese, the standard of which came into force a year ago. Proceeding with a regional awareness campaign with certain cities, these are things that we are thinking very soon, explains generous. I think it’s important to do it.
