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Backgrounder
Presence of TCE in Groundwater at Valcartier Garrison
BG–04.013 - April 23, 2004
In 1997, the Department of National Defence undertook an environmental investigation when it discovered higher than acceptable levels of trichloroethylene (TCE) in the aquifer under the Valcartier Garrison and Defence R& D Canada - Valcartier (DRDC Valcartier) properties. Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a chemical that was once commonly used as an industrial cleansing solvent.
In December 2000, the Department of National Defence learned that higher than acceptable levels of TCE were present in some private wells located in the Municipality of Shannon, bordering Canadian Forces Garrison Valcartier. As a short-term solution, t he Government provided $3.5M in funding to the Municipality of Shannon to connect affected homes to the garrison’s extended water supply system.
The garrison’s water supply meets all federal and provincial drinking water guidelines. Water provided by the Garrison area is now drawn exclusively from wells that are closely monitored for the presence of TCE.
Since 1997, every reasonable measure has been taken to better understand the TCE’s distribution pattern and to identify possible sources. Two major independent studies have been completed and are available to the public. A s a result of these investigations, sources of TCE in the groundwater have been discovered at Defence R&D Canada – Valcartier, and on an adjacent property belonging to SNC Technologies Inc.
DND continues to monitor the presence and movement of TCE on its property and report these findings to the residents of Shannon. DND and the local Garrison maintain an open and co-operative relationship with staff and neighbours, and are committed to working with all affected parties in order to co-operatively and fairly address this matter and to find long-term solutions.
On April 23, 2004, the Minister of National Defence announced that DND would provide $19 million to the Municipality of Shannon for the development of a potable water supply and connection of homes potentially affected by trichloroethylene to this supply. The homes that will be connected are those to the south east of the Jacques Cartier River and some homes located on the north side of the Jacques Cartier River within proximity of Gosford Road.
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