Seven Argenteuil lakes at risk of blue-green algae contamination this summer

LACHUTE – More than 100 environmentalists gathered in Lachute on April 22 for an information session hosted by the MRC d’Argenteuil about the safety and preservation of the region’s lakes, rivers and creeks.

The MRC outlined measures to prevent the biggest threat facing the water supply: the spread of Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae.

Cyanobacteria is a naturally occurring algae that has become more menacing to Laurentian lakes over the past three years as it has invaded water sources, contaminated drinking water, closed lakes and beaches and reduced the value of some lake-front properties. 

Within Argenteuil, seven lakes are currently considered at risk of contamination and are being closely monitored by the CRE Laurentides, the MRC d’Argenteuil’s environmental advisory committee formed in 2008 to protect lakes.

Lake Bixley in Wentworth, Crooks Lake in Brownsburg-Chatham, Lake Sir John in
Lachute, Solar Lake in Gore, Lake Dainava in Mille-Isles, Lake Massie in Mille-Isles and Baie Carillon in Saint-Andre d’Argenteuil are all listed as lakes at the greatest risk of developing blue-green algae blooms.

In 2007, an action plan was developed by the MRC d’Argenteuil to combat the worst documented spread of Cyanobacteria reported in the Laurentians. 

In January 2008, the MRC d’Argenteuil adopted a three-year action plan dedicated to lake preservation.  In the past year they have created the CRE Laurentides, which hired an environmental consultant, developed policies and bylaws to strengthen the standards for the protection of the riparian strip along waterways, planted 15,000 trees along the shorelines, hired a blue squad to test water sources and held a one-day environment conference on July 19, 2008 to raise awareness about the importance of preserving water sources.

“When it comes to the protection of lakes, it’s pretty basic stuff,” said Gore Mayor Scott Pearce. “The trees and shrubs protect the lakes from the pollutants and soaps in our homes.  As a mayor, I don’t like to tell my residents what to do -  but the protection of lakes affects everyone and can be accomplished in simple ways.”

Pearce explained that 2008 was a year of raising awareness within his municipality and across Argenteuil.  The CRE Blue Squad visited nearly 1,000 homes in eight municipalities collecting information on the state of lakes and the potential pollutants that might be leaching phosphates and other bacteria-causing agents into waterways. 

Blue Squad members also took photos of the location of septic systems and the degree of the transformation of shorelines to support the municipal inspectors responsible for implementing provincial regulations on septic systems.

“The shoreline is a natural band that is very important in protecting our lakes.  It plays a natural filtration role,” said MRC d’Argenteuil Environmental Consultant Agnes Grondin. 

Under the new regulations, residents living alongside lakes, rivers and creeks will now be obligated to take simple measures to protect waterways or face municipal fines.

In order to accomplish this, residents must stop cutting the grass, brush and trees leading up to the waters edge and will be allowed no more than a 10 to 15 metre opening to the lake.

Under the new legislation, residents are not obligated to replant the shorelines, but they are encouraged to plant native shrubs, trees and flowers and will be fined by municipal inspectors for continuing to plant, fertilize or cut grass leading up to the productive shoreline.

“We ask that you do not cut the grass, but you don’t need to remove it as vegetation will naturally come up,” said Pearce, reiterating that there are many grass-type alternatives that will be allowed under the new regulations, including the planting of clover, which closely resembles grass and grows to a maximum height of 6 inches.

Existing buildings that are located along the shoreline will be granted the acquired right to remain and owners will be allowed to cut up to two metres of brush and growth around these buildings.

All cutting of trees is being restricted without a municipal permit, and shoreline photos will be used to verify that no unauthorized cuts have been done.
Under provincial law the government protects all beaver dams and only municipal inspectors have the authority to dismantle or alter dangerous dams that pose an inherent risk to roads, property or human lives. 

Municipalities are responsible for any beaver dams that have been reported to them and as such are required to take the preventive measures necessary to protect their residents.

This protection could involve careful monitoring, the removal of the dam or the installation of Morency cubes that act like a culvert inserted through a dam that allows water to flow through a beaver dam without destroying it.

“A large percentage of the septic installations of isolated residents are obsolete and no longer compliant with 2009 regulations.  The truth is a lot of times people have a problem and they don’t even know it,” said Pearce.

Pearce is a proponent of a new government assistance program that could help rural residents finance long-term loans through Canada Savings and Mortgage to replace septic systems that range in price from $7,000 to $30,000.

Faulty septic systems have proven to be a major source of water contamination and the cost of updating them is proving to be an equally large social problem. 

“People living close to lakes and waterways pay an even higher price for septic installations due to the need for more advanced systems specific to water saturation,” Pearce said. “Not everyone living near lakes is rich and paying $14,000 for a septic system isn’t easy.  I am working with the provincial government for assistance.”