Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

During the City of Gatineau’s Environment and Climate Change Commission on January 16, 2025, a retrospective on the progress of the 2024 Water Management Plan (WMP) was presented.

Progress 2024

In 2024, four orientations were divided. The first concerns aquatic ecosystems; the second, drinking water; the third, rainwater; and the fourth, wastewater. Among these four orientations, general objectives, including measures (actions to be carried out), were either completed, not started or in progress.

Orientation 1: Protection of aquatic ecosystems

To implement this action, four objectives were developed: reduce the impact of human activities on aquatic ecosystems; ensure sustainable management of waterways; limit the spread of invasive exotic species in bodies of water; and lastly, ensure water quality for bathing in lakes during the summer period. Among the measures carried out in the first objective, there was the implementation of a pilot project for an ecological district.

Orientation 2: Ensure a sustainable supply of drinking water

For the second orientation, four objectives were established. The first is to produce and distribute high-quality drinking water to citizens. The second is to promote the reduction of municipal drinking water consumption. The third is to promote the consumption of municipal drinking water, and the fourth is to obtain the five-year certificate for each water facility, under the Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water (RQEP). Among the measures completed, it will now be prohibited to sell and distribute single-use plastic water bottles in municipal buildings.

Orientation 3: Promote optimal management of rainwater

Two objectives were proposed: improve stormwater management in light of current climate change and optimize the use and performance of stormwater retention basins and snow deposit sites. Regarding the second objective, a measure was carried out concerning the comparative analysis with other municipalities.

Orientation 4: Optimize wastewater treatment

This time, for the last orientation, three objectives were presented. The first objective is to address the problems of sewer backup and overflow. The second objective is to ensure higher sanitation performance by the two water treatment plants. And third, to monitor discharges into the environment from septic tanks in the Gatineau territory. The characterization of the effluent (analytical process of the characteristic properties of wastewater) from the Masson-Angers treatment plant was carried out.

2025 Planning

In short, for the 2025 planning, 22 new measures will be implemented and 50 will be continued. Many incentives and several projects will also be part of the planning. The total budget will be just over $2 million.

For more details on the Water Management Action Plan, please visit the webcast of the Environment and Climate Change Commission at: https://www.gatineau.ca/portail/default.aspx?p=nouvelles_annonces/webdiffusions_videos/webdiffusions_comites_commissions&ref=navigation-secondaire

Ottawa River (December 14, 2022) (MG) Photo: Facebook page Table de concertation de la rivière des Outaouais-TCO