Lac des Nations water quality improved significantly in 2017
The City of Sherbrooke has revealed that the water quality of Lac des Nations has improved significantly after corrective measures were taken last year.
In a press conference Tuesday, Sherbrooke, Mayor Steve Lussier, applauded the efforts of several City departments: the Estrie Public Health Agency, the Jean-perrault Water Ski School, and the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change.
"The quality of the water is a problem that is particularly close to my heart," Lussier said. ”We worked as a team to try to find solutions. I would like to thank the members of the water ski school for being such good sports and for adapting to the new way of doing things, which is designed to protect skiers and ensure its long-term survival on Lac des Nations.”
Since the lake is located in an urban area, it is exposed to several sources of contamination. Its location also makes it a popular place for Sherbrooke residents. The City adopted a more detailed monitoring of water quality in 2016. This first year of follow-up was characterized by numerous D ratings.
In early 2017, the partners agreed on a new sampling protocol and a procedure for suspension of activities based on the knowledge acquired the previous year. Water skiing activities were allowed, particularly in one area of the lake, as in the summer of 2016, regardless of the results obtained in the other sector. In the spring and summer of 2017, several corrections were made to the sewer system located upstream from Lac des Nations, which had a major impact on water quality.
In 2016, water skiing activities were suspended for 21 days due to a D rating or a preventative closure caused by heavy rains. In 2017, the number of days of suspension of activities was limited to seven.
"The corrective measures, combined with an improved surveillance and closure strategy, have helped reduce background contamination and provide safe conditions for users in 2017. However, this success remains fragile and vigilance is required for years to come, "said Sherbrooke Environment Committee Chair Karine Godbout.
As a result, data collection will continue in 2018 to better document recovery time following an overflow from the upstream pumping station. Water skiing activities will still be suspended when a D rating is reported and during heavy rainfall, as is the case at Lucien-blanchard beach. Other remedial work will also be done upstream.
"We’ve been working from the beginning with the other partners, particularly to understand the risk of skiers being exposed to microbes in the water,” said public health specialist with Public Health Dr. Isabelle Samson.”users have completed questionnaires over the last two years and we can demonstrate that water skiing is really a primary contact activity, just like swimming. During most outings, people who ski fall and swallow water one third of the time. The process put in place is therefore fully justified."
"The consequences of the follow-up process have not been easy for the Jeanperrault Water Ski School, especially in 2016,” said ski school President Antoine Larkin-turgeon. “But we have adapted and we are already seeing improvement. The measures put in place have greatly improved the safety of Lac des Nations users, including the many skiers who use our services. As these measures make it possible to detect and correct sources of contamination, all users of the water benefit."