Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter
Research by the Leadership for the Ecozoic research network (L4E) based out of McGill University sounded an alarm this spring over the extent of illegal dumping within the Chateauguay River watershed.
A study of the evolution of the rural landscape by masters student Alex DePani and cartographer Dan Garand identified 284 potential sites of concern, including 16 documented sites, or “sacrifice zones,” where loads of construction waste have been dumped. Two of these sites, both in Franklin, are currently being monitored and reports have confirmed toxic groundwater contamination at levels above government standards.
A 2023 environmental characterization study ordered by the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte Contre les Changements Climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs of the site along Route 201 was recently obtained by the L4E group, through an access to information request. The study, which was completed by the Montreal-based engineering firm Geninovation, characterized an area of around 73,000 square metres on parts of eight lots owned by the company 4507380 Canada Inc., also known as Les Entreprises V.A.G. Distribution, and its president, Éric Jodoin.
The 530-page report estimates that just under 79,770 metric tons of contaminated soils and waste materials were dumped at the site. At least 123 soil samples were taken from 70 different test pits, as well as 30 samples of raw waste material found on site, seven samples from piles of disposed soil and waste that had not been backfilled, and four groundwater samples from different monitoring wells that were installed at the site.
The majority of the soil samples were classified at A-B contamination levels, while some were contaminated at B-C levels. Sulfur concentrations were found in the raw waste samples in the backfill, and asbestos was also found to be present. All four groundwater samples showed signs of contamination above the environment ministry’s Surface Water Resurgence (RES) criterion, which establishes a threshold to protect overall ecosystem health.
The study concludes the groundwater is being contaminated by the illegally dumped waste material, and warns the groundwater is moving beyond the immediate area. The monitoring wells sampled water between 1.3 and 2.3 metres deep, and the report points out that nearby wells are on a different aquifer layer, which reduces the risk of contamination. At the same time, the report recommends a hydrogeological study take place to determine whether these layers may be connected.
L4E has also obtained a copy of a report completed in 2024 by the firm Solmatech on the Rang Dumas site, which found groundwater samples from three monitoring wells were contaminated with arsenic above standard drinking water thresholds.
DePani says the findings of the two studies suggest that illegal dumping can lead to groundwater contamination. He adds that the broader impacts of such contamination on regional water systems, such as the Chateauguay River watershed, and local wells remains largely unknown and should be studied.