Popular beach in Montreal's east end has contaminated soil, says Public Health

Montreal's public health office is advising people to stay out of the water at a popular unofficial beach in the Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough because the soil is contaminated.

Promenade-Bellerive park along the St. Lawrence River — where residents say they've already been swimming for years with their families — poses "several issues and health risks," according to the health agency. 

In an official report dated July 15, public health officials said the beach's soil, including the soil under the water, is contaminated with lead and benzene, and that the water can easily be tainted by sewage and industrial spills.

"The DRSP recommends the borough of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and the city of Montreal restrict access to the site and not allow swimming until various mitigation measures have been implemented to reduce health risks," the report reads. 

During her last election campaign in 2021, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante had promised to set up a public beach at Promenade-Bellerive park the following year.

The city has already installed beach umbrellas and wooden chairs on the shore, alongside a prominent "no swimming" sign. No sign provided a warning about the poor water quality. 

Borough resident Simon Bélanger said he swims there two to three times a week in the summer, despite seeing the sign. 

"I thought [it was] because of the current, because there are strong currents and for kids it could be quite dangerous … but I never thought it was about the quality of the water," he said.

Bélanger says he feels like he wasn't given the right information. He checked online and saw the water quality at the park was described as "perfectly adequate quality for swimming," in an Oct. 5, 2021 post by Fondation Rivières, a Quebec organization that advocates for public water access. 

What he didn't know is that each time he disturbed the soil beneath his feet, he was kicking up contaminants into the water. 

"I come here and I bring my dog to the water. He drinks the water here all the time — or used to, as of today," he said. "I might have to find a new cool spot." 

Montreal Public Health says children who put their hands in their mouths and who are more likely to swallow water are more likely to be exposed to contaminants present in the soil and sediments. 

The unofficial beach, located upstream from the Port of Montreal, used to be a dumping ground for industries to dispose of residual materials, which poses a risk of people injuring themselves on shards of glass or metal. 

The office recommended the city add and maintain one metre of clean sand to the swimming area to protect people from contamination.