Nothing says summer in the city like splashing in your local public pool!
Island pools: safe to take the plunge!
Water sample tests prove our pools conform to established standards
Now that schools are out, the dog days of summer are here and a large number of Quebec families are on vacation, our public pools are busier than ever. It's reassuring to hear that recent tests of water samples prove that Island residents have nothing to worry about.
Between May 11 and June 28, water samples were taken in 70 of Montreal's 74 outdoor pool installations, in order to prove that they conform to established standards. The results were conclusive and reassuring for Montreal residents.
These tests were conducted by the City of Montreal's technical expertise department and companies accredited by the Environment Ministry. On Verdun territory it was confirmed that the public pools at the Natatorium, Elgar, De La Fontaine and Therrien parks conformed to ministry standards.
New rules came into effect this year
In August of 2006, Verdun residents (like all Montreal citizens) were flabbergasted to find out that a Bio-Medco lab study had forced the closure of 48 Montreal pools.
After that fiasco, the Quebec government adopted new regulations on the water quality of pools and other artificial basins, which came into effect on January 1, 2007. Among the new rules and measures were improvements to existing facilities, replacement of water filters, chemical tests conducted every three hours, non-compliant tests that may deteriorate the quality of the water resulting in the immediate closure of all pools concerned.
According to Francine Morin, communications agent for Verdun, the borough goes even further, by implementing procedures that are stricter than those of the Quebec government.
Of course, the cooperation of swimmers is always required. Swimmers must take a shower before entering the pool each time, and after applying sunscreen. They will have to wipe babies and young children well before they enter the pool, using the toilet tissue from the tissue dispensers. Make sure that babies always wear a leak-proof diaper and definitely not urinate or spit in the pool.
Up until now, things seem to be going well and Island resident scan enjoy Verdun's four public pools (two of which are on the Island) without any hesitation or worry.
par Toula Foscolos 
Steven Guilbeault - Chronique environnement
Richard Cléroux - Le fouineur politique
