Raising alarm on sewer overflow

Swimming across the Ottawa River

Addison Butler came in first after swimming the 4 kilometres across the Deschênes Lake portion of the Ottawa River. With the goal of raising money for the Ottawa Riverkeeper, as well as highlighting the importance of water quality, environmentalists swam with some high-profile swimmers. Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change; Heidi Levasseur, an exceptional swimmer who plans on swimming across the Atlantic; Peteris Ustubs, Ambassador of the Eu to Canada; Will Amos, MP for Pontiac; Audrey Bureau, Gatineau councillor. Ms Bureau swam the four kilometres in about two hours and said “I’m not an athlete, but I care about water quality and I am working to increase the frequency of water quality testing as well as improving the beaches and informing residents about sewer overflows.”

New this year was an award in honour of Tom Anzai, who started the 4K swim race five years ago.

Swimmers raised $42,500 for works to improve the quality and swimmability of water throughout the watershed.