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Montreal begins massive sewage dump into St Lawrence river | Montreal begins massive sewage dump into St Lawrence river |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Montreal has begun a controversial dump of 8bn litres (2.1bn gallons) of raw sewage into the St Lawrence River. | Montreal has begun a controversial dump of 8bn litres (2.1bn gallons) of raw sewage into the St Lawrence River. |
Officials in the Canadian city say that the project is necessary in order to replace old infrastructure in the sewage treatment system. | Officials in the Canadian city say that the project is necessary in order to replace old infrastructure in the sewage treatment system. |
The operation has drawn the ire of people in Canada and in the US who have concerns that the river will be polluted with condoms and nappies. | The operation has drawn the ire of people in Canada and in the US who have concerns that the river will be polluted with condoms and nappies. |
The dump was delayed during the recent Canadian election. | The dump was delayed during the recent Canadian election. |
Officials began releasing the raw sewage into the river just after midnight local time (05:00 GMT) on Wednesday, and say it could last about a week. | Officials began releasing the raw sewage into the river just after midnight local time (05:00 GMT) on Wednesday, and say it could last about a week. |
Citizens are being asked not to flush medication, condoms or tampons down the toilet while the operation goes on. | Citizens are being asked not to flush medication, condoms or tampons down the toilet while the operation goes on. |
The diversion of the raw waste is needed so that workers can replace a snow chute - a large opening that funnels water from melting snow to a facility used to treat the sewage. | The diversion of the raw waste is needed so that workers can replace a snow chute - a large opening that funnels water from melting snow to a facility used to treat the sewage. |
Officials at the city of Montreal have said the dump will have little effect on the fish population and will not affect the quality of drinking water for citizens. | Officials at the city of Montreal have said the dump will have little effect on the fish population and will not affect the quality of drinking water for citizens. |
The plan was approved by Canada's new environment minister on the condition that a host of conditions including extensive monitoring were abided by. | The plan was approved by Canada's new environment minister on the condition that a host of conditions including extensive monitoring were abided by. |
However, the plan has drawn ire on both sides of the US-Canada border. | However, the plan has drawn ire on both sides of the US-Canada border. |
Mathieu Traversy, a provincial legislator of Parti Quebecois, said cities were concerned that riverbanks would be marred by "diapers, condoms and syringes". | Mathieu Traversy, a provincial legislator of Parti Quebecois, said cities were concerned that riverbanks would be marred by "diapers, condoms and syringes". |
Across the border, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York has asked the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to intervene. | Across the border, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York has asked the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to intervene. |
For its part, the EPA has said it has no regulatory authority over the river, which lies entirely in sovereign Canadian territory. | For its part, the EPA has said it has no regulatory authority over the river, which lies entirely in sovereign Canadian territory. |