Association – Lac des Loups - INFO
September 2006 Edition
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Is Our Lake Safe to Swim? August 2006 Results of Water Testing for Swimming
Below you will find the results from the third round of regular water sampling swimming
tests for 2006.
Ten samples were taken on Monday, September 4, 2006. The following map gives you
an indication of the sample sites. As reported in our last edition, these are the same
sites that we have consistently tested. As you have seen from earlier reports, 2
additional sites were tested this year and they are marked as sites 9 and 10.
For swimming standards, water is tested for fecal coliform and the measurement is the
number of Colony Forming Units (CFU) per 100 millilitres of water. The following table
sets out the standards for swimming.
Number of fecal coliform
CFU/100ml.
0 – 20
21 – 100
101 – 199
200 -
Class
A
B
C
D
Water quality
Excellent
Good
Acceptable
Not recommended
August’s results are as follows with comparative information.
Sample
Site
Fecal Coliforms CFUs / 100 ml
June
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2004
2
<2
4
36
78
8
2
2
2005
2
<2
58
120
74
62
<2
<2
July
2006
2
8
<2
6
115
64
2
2
4
<2
2004
2
<2
8
76
44
64
6
4
2005
2
<2
4
6
120
2
<2
4
August
2006
2
<2
2
180
98
2
<2
2
4
<2
2004
2
<2
<2
6
12
8
<2
<2
2005
2
<2
4
112
160
12
<2
<2
2006
8
4
6
92
36
2
2
<2
2
2
For the most part we show great results. There is still a poor reading at site number 4
which is the creek that flows under the wooden bridge on Chemin Gauvin into our lake.
The readings from this location have been reported to the municipality on several
occasions. The municipality has visited the site and ordered remedial action. Hopefully
we will have more to report in the near future.
We must be very cautious with these results. First it must be stressed that the testing
was done for swimming purposes and not for drinking purposes. Numerous other
tests for different bacteria must also be done on drinking water to determine its safety.
Also it should be mentioned that your association accepts no liability for these results.
The published results are for information purposes only and reflects the results of the
samples taken at a particular times and locations by volunteers. Different readings
could result if taken at different times or locations or if collected by a qualified biologist.
Stay tuned for more results next summer.
Did you know that the Association also measures the clarity of the water to follow
the evolution of the eutrophication process?
All terrestrial and aquatic plants depend for growth on sunlight, water, and nutrients,
such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. However, the presence of excessive
amounts of nutrients in a body of water can produce more organic matter than the
water's natural purification processes can handle. This is known as nutrient enrichment
or eutrophication, and it can be a natural process or it can be accelerated by human
activity. (Source: Environment Canada - http://www.ec.gc.ca/soerree/English/SOER/1996Report/Doc/1-6-6-4-7-1.cfm)
Tests on the clarity of the water serve as a means to follow the evolution of the
eutrophication process. To measure the clarity of the water, a 20 cm disc painted black
and white is dropped into the water. The disc disappears for a moment and then
reappears; it is at this point that one measures the depth from the surface. Readings
are taken at the two deepest spots on the lake, i.e. in the northeast section (point A) and
in the southeast section (point B) near the outflow of the lake.
In the 2006 season, the average clarity reading was 3.8 meters at point A and 3.6
meters at point B. To date, readings have been better at point A than at point B as is
demonstrated in the following table:
Date
June 30
July 9
July 12
July 20
July 27
August 12
August 18
Point A
3.48 m
5.65 m
5.63 m
4.65 m
5.00 m
4.00 m
4.00 m
Point B
3.05 m
3.00 m
3.23 m
3.05 m
3.15 m
3.05 m
3.25 m
Mark your calendars for next year’s Annual General Meeting
Next year’s AGM will be held on June 17, 2007 from 10:30 to noon at the Community
Centre. As you know, all Lac des Loups lakefront property are welcome to participate.
The AGM provides you with the opportunity to give your input to the Association’s plans
for 2007-2008 and to learn more about the activities of the Association and of the Board
of Directors to date.
It also provides the opportunity for anyone interested to submit his/her nomination to
become a member of the Board of Directors as Board members are elected each year
at the AGM. In conformity with the By-laws, if you are interested in becoming a member
of the Board, kindly present your nomination (signed by two members) to a Board
member at least one week prior to the AGM.
We are suggesting a change in timing next year to facilitate participation. It has been
brought to the Board’s attention that many cottagers have difficulty participating in the
AGM earlier in the year.
We hope to have the participation of Mayor Bussière once again in June 2007 as well
as of representatives of both municipalities. We are grateful to the Mayor of La Pêche
for his participation at our 2006 AGM.
A word of thanks
Many members have expressed their appreciation of the work done on the 366 (the
road itself, the signage, the vegetation, the fill, the docks, etc.) and noted that the
Mayor’s support was instrumental, as was the support and cooperation of the Gatineau
office of the Quebec Ministry of Transport. Thanks to all involved!
Contact your Board of Directors via:
Lisette Villeneuve, President
17 chemin Gauvin, Lac des Loups, Québec, J0X 3K0
(819) 456-1228
[email protected]