Some building sites threaten the lake’s health

By : Françoise Stanton (Translation : Guy Côté)

Over the past two years (2024–2025), nearly 200 building permits were issued by the Town of Brome Lake. In principle, all contractors must comply with zoning and planning bylaws that – among other things – impose specific obligations to prevent erosion and runoff sediment into watercourses, the lake, and ditches during construction work. However, in many cases these measures are not followed, thereby affecting the health of Lake Brome.

This is not a new problem. Back in 2023, Conservation Lac Brome reported visiting 35 construction sites and finding that – without exception – none were adequately managing sediment; issues included the use of ineffective sediment barriers. In 2024, TLB agreed to take over from CLB, promising that its inspectors would do their inspections and ensure compliance.

VLB Inspection System Can’t Keep Up

Yet, this year, TBL responded to only two of the 12 reports of non-compliant sites submitted by Conservation Lac Brome via a new web portal by.

The reporting system isn’t working well. TBL doesn’t keep us informed about the follow-up, laments Léa Couture, project mamager at CLB.

Gilbert Arel, TBL’s Director general, responds: “The reports still need to be sufficiently detailed or indicate actual violations. However I will ensure that there is follow-up on every citizen report from now on.”

Don’t forget that we only have four inspectors to handle all requests, including site visits, he adds. They cant’t possibly visit every site, but since early this year, they have been responding more quickly to thise deened problematic.

However, it is impossible to determine how many sanctions — such as notices of violation, fines, or site shutdowns — have been imposed on the offending contractors.

In this context, how can the situation be better controlled?

We could perhaps invite property owners to send TBL photos of the sediment control measures on their construction sites, and also raise building permit fees so that contractors help partially cover the salary of an additional environmental inspector. That is something to consider,” concludes Gilbert Arel.