Water sampling – Taking the pulse of our precious watercourses

Éco-Nature launched its annual sampling campaign on July 3 to monitor the health of watercourses on its territory.

This year, no fewer than 1,377 water samples will be collected.

Running until August 31, the program's mandate is to collect water samples along the Rivière des Mille Îles and Rivière des Prairies, in order to monitor water quality.

Following the training of a water sampling technician for a week prior to the start of this campaign, Éco-Nature will be taking an impressive 945 samples from the Rivière des Milles-Îles and 432 from the Rivière des Prairies. All this will be achieved by visiting 51 stations, at a rate of 3 samples per week for 9 weeks.

This is a rigorous and time-consuming task, but one that is essential if we are to observe and quantify the changes taking place in our waterways.

This allows us to quantify whether measures taken in the past are having an impact on the environment, and to work on new solutions.

An essential partnership

Éco-Nature, in conjunction with the local watershed organization, COBAMIL, are proud of their invaluable partnership with Ville de Laval for the ongoing pursuit of these annual analyses, which have been taking place for the past 22 years. These samplings are made possible by the fact that the costs of laboratory analysis are fully covered by the Ville de Laval.

Through this analysis mandate, Éco-Nature oversees the restoration, management, monitoring and enhancement of natural habitats - a mandate in line with the organization's very mission.

A long-term undertaking, you say?

Water samples are taken along the shore using a pole, following rigorous protocols. In addition to recording the time of sampling, measurements such as temperature, conductivity and pH are taken. This information is collated and forwarded to the laboratory responsible for microbiological analysis.

The collected water samples are then forwarded for analysis, and the results are shared with all those involved in the project.

How does this affect local residents?

This type of in-depth analysis of our rivers enables Éco-Nature to provide reassurance to citizens who frequently have questions about water quality for recreational purposes. The data collected guides Éco-Nature in its answers.

Although the water quality of our rivers has improved in recent years, Éco-Nature does not recommend swimming in hot weather. We consider it safe for recreational activities involving indirect contact with the water, such as kayaking...

An excellent reason to visit us! The Laval site is open every weekend until Thanksgiving.