Gatineau WatershedIndustrial Use

Point source pollution generated by industrial activity is not well documented in the Gatineau River basin, much like elsewhere in the province. The last update, produced in 2006, reports six potentially polluting industries, five of which are within the wood industry. This clearly shows the significance of forest practices for the region’s economy.

In Maniwaki, the company Houle Construction is connected to the municipal sewage system, which is linked to a treatment plant. In the same municipality, the Lauzon Ressources forestières Inc. sawmill and hardwood flooring plants – which formerly belonged to Industries James Maclaren Inc. – as well as the Bowater sawmill, treat their wastewaters. The same goes for the Atlas sawmill, located near the Municipality of Low, and for Louisiana Pacific Canada Ltd., near Bois-Franc. However, runoff from logyards at these sawmills are drained into the River. Even when treated, industrial wastewater, like urban wastewater, can contribute to the residual pollution of a basin’s watercourses.