Drinking water is an essential good, but, still in 2022, some Quebecers do not have access to it.
Residents of the third row of Saint-Narcisse, in Mauricie, claim to be connected to the municipal aqueduct network, but, because of the very significant costs to be expected, nothing is gained for them.
The thirty or so citizens concerned depend on private wells whose water is not drinkable. It can only be used for sanitary purposes. A resident indicates that she does not have a bathtub in her home because she does not have enough water to fill it. It is also risky to brush your teeth in the spring period because of the level of contamination.
When his reserve is dry, he must get help from his neighbor. With a pipe and a pump, he replenishes it from his own wells. This situation happens to several people on the row.
“We are always in shortage of water either in February or in the summer with the droughts”, laments Marie-Josée Leroux who also accommodates disabled people.
To drink, these citizens must buy bottled water. When the wells are empty, the municipality delivers drinking water to them at a cost of $150 a time. The service was suspended in 2016. It will be reactivated next April.
The bill for the connection to the aqueduct network could cost $50,000 to each citizen of Saint-Narcisse.
“Not $50,000. In my opinion we won’t be able to. I don’t think that’s happening. We will remain stuck with the waters we have”, fears René Veillette.
Unless Quebec grants financial assistance, it will be impossible to connect the network. “Normally it is charged to the user-pays. So it’s up to the citizens. This is a sector rule. We cannot charge for an extension that will serve only a few people, by all citizens, ”argued the mayor of Saint-Narcisse, Guy Veillette.
Reference-www.journaldemontreal.com