Water Quality in the Gatineau Watershed

Click here - GatineauClick here - Gatineau Gatineau River, the largest tributary of the Ottawa, drains an area with only a small portion of dense, industrial landuse. For this reason, the river is generally of excellent quality. Nevertheless, the impact of human activities there is undeniable.

The Gatineau River has two water quality sampling stations run by the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs. Those stations are still active and samples are taken every month. The first station is located in Grand Remous (station 04080223 on the map), Bridge Highway 117, and the second between the Gatineau sector and the municipality of Chelsea, on the Alonzo-Wright bridge (station 04080003).

The water sampled at Grand-Remous could be argued to be close to the water quality found at the source of the Gatineau River since there is very little permanent housing upstream from this point.

 

Adapté de Portrait du bassin versant de la rivière Gatineau publié par COMGA

Gatineau: What is the Status of My Water Quality?

Click here - GatineauClick here - Gatineau At the entrance of the City of Gatineau, variations of the Index of Bacteriological and Physicochemical Quality (IQBP) near the Alonzo-Wright Bridge are much more significant than in Grand-Remous. From 2001 to 2003, the IQBP value varied from 4 (very poor water quality) to 91 (good water quality).

»

Gatineau: Where Does My Water Come From?

Click here to find the source of your drinking waterClick here to find the source of your drinking water

Surface Water Sources

The watershed basin of the Gatineau River contains thirteen municipal networks of drinking water distribution serving a little more than 60% of the population. Nearly 88% of these people live in the City of Gatineau which draws its water from the Ottawa River rather then the Gatineau River.

»

Gatineau: How is My Water Treated?

Click here to see how your wastewater is treatedClick here to see how your wastewater is treated

Wastewater Treatment

There are five sewage treatment stations in the Gatineau River watershed. They are:

  • Bouchette
  • Cantley
  • Chelsea
  • La Peche
  • Maniwaki

The Bouchette treatment station has been in service since March 1989. It services a population of 295 people, and the approximate average flow is 158m3/d, and biological oxygen demand of 21.5kg/d. By 2005 Bouchette had had five over-flow events.

The Cantley (Lafortune) treatment station has been open since 2003, and services 366 people. It has an average flow of approximately 366m3/d and a biological oxygen demand of 147kg/d. By 2005 Cantley had one over-flow event. The treatment station uses aerated lagoons to break down the wastewater.

Chelsea (Mill) treament station has been in use since April 2004 and services 203 people. The average flow of treated sewage from this station is approximately 58.8 m3/d and the biological oxygen demand is 18.3 kg/d. By 2005 Chelsea had one over-flow event. The Chelsea treatment station uses wetlands to break down the wastewater.

Click here to see how your drinking water is treatedClick here to see how your drinking water is treated

La Peche (Wakefield) treatment station has been in use since 1998 and services approximately 428 people. The average flow of treated sewage from this station is approximately 58.8 m3/d and the biological oxygen demand is 7.7 kg/d. By 2005 La Peche had three over-flow event. The treatment station uses aerated lagoons to break down the wastewater.

The treatment station in Maniwaki services 6,373 people and has been in use since 1993. The average flow is approximately 6,373 m3/d and the biological oxygen demand 407.4 kg/d. By 2005 Maniwaki had sixteen over-flow event. The treatment station uses aerated lagoons to break down the wastewater.

Drinking Water Treatment

»

Gatineau: How is My Water Quality Managed?

Local Management

COMGA (Gatineau River Watershed Authority) is a not-for-profit organization whose mandate is the improvement of the water quality of the Gatineau River watershed, with an aim towards sustainable development. It is a major player in the integrated water management of the watershed. In this role, it serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas between representatives of all users and managers of the water resources within the territory of the watershed.

»

Gatineau: How Can I Improve Local Water Quality?

Get involved in one of the many events taking place in the Gatineau Watershed! Check out the COMGA website or find out what is happening at your local municipality (for example the City of Gatineau to learn about water related activities taking place).

»