Chaudiere River still contaminated a month after Lac-Megantic explosion

QUEBEC CITY – Communities all along the Chaudiere River have spent the last three weeks without their normal water supply – and that’s not about to change any time soon.

During the dog days of summer, residents in the city of Lévis have had limited access to water.

They’ve been told they can’t water their lawn, their flowers, they can’t wash their cars or fill their pools.

The city’s even telling them to avoid using their dishwashers, washing machines and showers.

It’s been like this for three weeks.

“People have been put out by our decision, but we don’t really have a choice,” said Lyse Routhier, a city spokesperson.

“We’ve been getting complaints.”

The water restrictions are not just affecting one municipality.

Seven communities along the Chaudiere River are under strict orders from the Quebec authorities to limit their water consumption.

This is because water is temporarily being taken out of the nearby Beaurivage River, via a complicated network of ground-level pipes.

“Our network is vulnerable,” explained Routhier. “Water is limited.”

Yet this temporary arrangement may not be so temporary after all.

Quebec’s environment ministry has found more crude oil at the bottom of the Chaudiere River, which has city officials suggesting that residents should brace themselves for a lot more inconveniences.

Even the hockey season could be delayed, as arenas are not getting the authorization needed to start making ice.

“I’m from Lac-Megantic, so I have a lot of sympathy in the region,” Emilie Gagnon told Global News.

Her brother witnessed the explosions that rocked the downtown core a month abo.

She said that her problems are minor compared to what survivors have to go through.

“It’s nothing to pay attention to how much water we’re using.”

Nevertheless, everyone is hoping the river will soon be cleaned up, so they can stop worrying about all the potential dangers and get back to a normal life.