In the face of dry wells, a “catastrophic” winter to come? This summer, the wells of many of the inhabitants of the MRC of La Matanie were dry Internet translation by Alice Jacottin, Sept 25, 2024, Radio-Canada
Residents of MRC of La Matania, whose wells are dry, will have to be a little more patient.
Residents will have to rely on autumn storms to recharge groundwater. The average rainfall recorded by Environment Canada in the last two months was found to be twice as low as normal.
It is not a situation that is tenable over time, it is certain that this autumn, we will see a change of situation
, explains Jean-Philippe Bégin, an awareness meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Beaking on autumn storms
Jean-Philippe Bégin explains that East-du-Québec is generally hit by storms that bring their share of rain. This autumn should not be an exception
, he adds.
He recalled that storms had consequences: gusts were not always welcome and the process of recharging groundwater was slow.
Even if you get a big autumn storm, the water table isn’t going to recharge instantly.
– Jean-Philippe Bégin, Outreach meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada
“Autumn storms, we will end up tasting in one way or another,” says the meteorologist raising awareness of warnings for Environment and Climate Change Canada, Jean-Philippe Bégin.
But every drop of water to come is welcome for the inhabitants of the MRC of La Matanie whose wells have been dry since this summer.
In Sainte-Félicité, for example, anxiety is growing. It is feared that the frost will freeze the soil before the water percolles in the wells.
I think this winter is going to be catastrophic.
– Andrew Turcotte, Mayor of Sainte-Félicité
Because as soon as the earth is frozen, it is much more difficult for water to percolate in the ground and then go to the wells
, adds the mayor of the Municipality.
It is not always accommodating to go to your neighbor to go to and do his washing, washing or just having water
, he then mentions that some of his citizens have had to dig new artesian wells, expensive work.
For owners of wells with low reserves, the entrepreneur and owner of Plomberie 132, Pierre-Olivier L’Ecuyer, suggests adapting its water consumption: reducing car washing is an example.
I haven’t wasted water washing my vehicle since my water well supply was illegally frac’d by Encana/Ovintiv decades ago.
Another option is to adapt water pumps that feed into wells. Pumps can be put on that take fewer gallons-minute. You can keep the same pressure, but reduce the gallon
, the entrepreneur explains.
However, the most cost-effective solution remains to wait for rainfall to replenish the soil.
La Matanie has eleven municipalities, including the city of Matane
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