POINTE-CLAIRE, QC, Aug. 26, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Morris Trudeau, Mayor of Pointe-Claire, would like to inform the population that municipal authorities have discovered a leak of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyl) in the storm drainage system in front of the Reliance site on Hymus Boulevard.
The situation was temporarily remedied by authorities of the City of Pointe-Claire and the City of Montreal who are now awaiting definitive action from the ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MDDELCC).
The PCB discharge was discovered in the course of the complete rebuilding of the underground infrastructures on Hymus Boulevard, a construction project duly authorized by the MDDELCC and the Water Department of the City of Montreal.
On August 7, Pointe-Claire municipal authorities immediately notified the appropriate officials that suspicious products had been discovered in the downspout discharge coming from the Reliance company site. This site has been under the responsibility of the MDDELCC since the issuance of Department Order number 630 on August 29, 2013, an order aimed at ensuring that the site is safely and completely decontaminated.
Authorities of the City of Montreal and of the City of Pointe-Claire reacted swiftly to make sure that the leak in the storm drainage system would pose no risk to the environment and, in particular, to Lake Saint-Louis. They are still waiting to hear what measures the MDDELCC will take to ensure continuity of the control procedures.
"From the time that this illegal storage of PCBs by Reliance was discovered, Pointe-Claire authorities have been vigilant in ensuring the health and safety of the City's citizens. We are continuing in this vein," remarked Mayor Trudeau.
"We are using all available means to make sure that this site, which is close to a residential area, will present no risk to people's health or to the environment," stated the Mayor of Pointe-Claire.
In closing, Mr. Trudeau indicated that the government, which orchestrated the safe elimination of all PCBs illegally stored on the site last year, is now actively establishing a description of all site soils. The report is expected in September. If soils are found to be contaminated, the government will ensure that the premises are decontaminated as well as any potentially affected adjacent lands.
SOURCE: Ville de Pointe-Claire
Jean Maurice Duddin, [email protected], 514-771-5777
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