Fecal Coliform Monitoring

We monitor the river for fecal coliform levels, which includes E. coli bacteria from the fecal matter of humans and warm-blooded animals. We do this as a public service with support from the municipalities of La Pêche, Cantley and Chelsea, and clubs and associations that use the river for recreational purposes. The testing takes place once a month during the summer season.

We draw water samples at several locations of concern along the river, and the analysis is done by MicroB, a Québec government-certified laboratory in Gatineau, following the standards established by the Québec Ministry of the Environment. The results are published according to the following scale for swimming and other recreational purposes:

“A” – Excellent, between 0 and 20 coliforms per 100ml

“B” – Good, between 21 and 100 coliforms per 100ml

“C” – Acceptable, between 100 and 199 coliforms per 100 ml

“D” – Not Recommended, above 200 coliforms per 100ml

“E”- Very Poor. above 1000 coliforms per 100 ml