The Stablex Canada hazardous industrial waste landfill site in Blainville does not exceed any environmental standards, contrary to the assertions of citizen groups, assures Quebec, which is also trying to find a way to make the planned expansion of the waste disposal facilities acceptable. this undertaking deemed “necessary” by the Minister of the Environment.
WHAT THERE IS TO KNOW
- The Stablex Canada hazardous industrial waste landfill site does not exceed any environmental standards, assures Quebec.
- Citizen groups said in February that they had measured “significant contamination” around the site.
- The company, unique in Quebec, is preparing the expansion of its landfill facilities.
“There is no breach of environmental regulations or ministerial authorizations issued to the company to supervise its operations,” said the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, and Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP).
This conclusion is based on the results of sampling from 20 surface water and groundwater wells in sand, clay and rock, as well as samples from ditches, carried out by the MELCCFP in April.
The contaminant measurements are considered “not of concern”, with the exception of one, which could be linked to the use of a chloride dust suppressant in the past.
Citizen concerns
Citizen groups were alarmed in February by “significant contamination in the waterways around the landfill site [de] Stablex”, following sampling they had carried out on land neighboring the company.
Various contaminants, including cadmium, had been detected at levels higher than Quebec standards, stated the press release published by a coalition of organizations, including Mères au front – Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, supported by the Society to Overcome Pollution and Eau Secours.
“Without denigrating the intention of the citizens, because I can understand their desire to know more, the methodology that was used, unfortunately, was deficient,” said in an interview with The Press the Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, Benoit Charette.
To reassure the population, we carried out rigorous analyses. In fact, there is nothing to worry about.
Benoit Charette
There are “obviously flaws” in the citizens’ approach, recognizes Daniel Green, of the Society to Overcome Pollution, which oversaw it.
“We are talking about sampling done by citizens, not technicians from the Ministry of the Environment,” he said, adding that he was limited by budgetary constraints.
This is why citizens sent their results to the Ministry and asked it to carry out checks at the same sampling points, outside the site, and not on the site, explains Mr. Green, reiterating that they have reasons to believe that contaminants are “leaving the Stablex site”.
He asks the Ministry to demonstrate “transparency” and also share its analysis results and its approach.
“We want to ensure that the Ministry sampled without notifying the company,” he said. A polluter can stop his spills. »
Imminent agreement for an expansion
Concerns about Stablex arise as the company plans to expand its hazardous industrial waste disposal facilities.
Under an authorization granted in 1981, Stablex could open a sixth landfill cell on its site, when the fifth, in use, must be closed.
But the urbanization of the sector over the last 40 years meant that this cell would be 300 meters from residences, so much so that the company requested authorization to locate it elsewhere, an option that the Office of The public hearings on the environment (BAPE) however recommended rejecting it in September, citing in particular the impact that the project would have on natural environments.
” We [étudie] another option that would allow us to preserve wetlands of interest and keep us away from citizens who are concerned,” declared The Press Minister Benoit Charette.
This option would be carried out on one or other of the two sites already studied, but with “variants” to the initial projects, indicates the minister, saying he expects an agreement to be concluded between Stablex, the City of Blainville and the Ministry of the Environment in the coming days or weeks.
“We must understand that Stablex is necessary in Quebec; it is the only company that specializes in the management of contaminated materials,” underlines the minister.
If Stablex ever closed, these are important companies in Quebec which, overnight, would have no other [solution]. We would have very big environmental issues.
Benoit Charette
Stablex satisfied
The samplings carried out by the MELCCFP in April are in addition to those carried out since the start of operation of the plant, in 1983, and to the 65 “field inspections” carried out by the Ministry between 2015 and 2023, which did not detect no leaks or sources of contamination from the landfill site, its press release indicates.
Stablex is also legally required to carry out environmental monitoring of groundwater, surface water, water discharged into the sewer network and potential atmospheric discharges linked to its activities.
“We are pleased to note that the results of the analysis carried out by the MELCCFP are in agreement with our own results,” said The Press Maxime Couture, spokesperson for Stablex, believes that “these conclusions confirm our commitment and our rigorous practices in terms of environmental compliance”.
Learn more
-
- 9,000,000
- Quantity, in tonnes, of hazardous waste that Stablex Canada was authorized to bury by the Quebec government in 1981
Source: Office of Public Hearings on the Environment
- 2,900,000
- Landfill capacity still available to Stablex Canada
Source: Office of Public Hearings on the Environment