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Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process (SLIPP)

Water Quality and Waste ManagementPublic Advisory Committee Meeting

February 8, 2011

Quaaout Lodge, Chase BC

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Overview

The purpose of this meeting is to review, receive feedback and gain support forthe SLIPP Long Term Water Quality Monitoring Plan and associated AnnualWater Quality Monitoring Plans for 2011 - 2014

This meeting will include a range of presentations and interactive discussionsdesigned to review the Plans, receive your feedback and discuss how thepublic can be engaged in Plan implementation

Overview

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Agenda

Introductions 1:30 – 1:40 pm

Background and Progress Update 1:40 – 1:50 pm

Review and Discussion: LT Water Quality Monitoring Plan 1:50 – 2:30 pm

Review: Annual Water Quality Monitoring Plan 2:30 – 3:00 pm

Coffee Break 3:00 – 3:15 pm

Discussion: Annual Water Quality Monitoring Plan 3:15 – 3:45 pm

Discussion: Public Role in Plan Implementation 3:45 – 4:30 pm

Closure 4:30 pm

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Background

Water quality is a critical component of the SLIPP vision to sustain the health andprosperity of the Shuswap and Mara Lakes

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Background

SLIPP WaterQuality and Waste

ManagementStrategies

Eliminate boat discharges on the lakes

Develop and inter-agency water qualitymonitoring and reporting program

The Long Term Monitoring Plan is the foundational component of the SLIPP WaterQuality and Waste Management Strategies

Eliminate boat discharges on the lakes

Develop an inter-agency water quality monitoringand reporting program

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Progress Update

Achievements

Recognized by the Premier of BC – received gold in the Partnership category

Continued public, First Nations, political and agency engagement in SLIPP

Strong contributions and support for the process by the public

New SLIPP Steering Committee to convene in March 2011

In discussions with SLIPP partners on a $1m, 3-year SLIPP pilot

Strategies and Activities Form an Inter-Agency Technical Committee to review development proposals Develop a coordinated water quality monitoring program Establish a coordinated education, compliance and enforcement planning process Create a site sensitivity map (initiated, 75% complete) Develop a model for assessing foreshore cumulative impacts (initiated, 40% complete) Completed a study on effects of boat discharges on the lakes Streamline the development application review process (initiated, 60% complete)

Develop a recreation management plan for the Shuswap and Mara lakes Create a Professional and Scientific Advisory Group Engage stakeholders in education, compliance and enforcement initiatives

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Public Advisory Committee Terms of Reference

Purpose

Advise public agencies on the implementation of water quality and waste managementstrategies

SLIPP Strategic Plan as guiding document

Responsibilities

Provide input on planning, implementation and reporting

Review and provide feedback on technical documents and plans

Collaborate with agencies and the public at large in the implementation of the Plan,where appropriate

Membership

Composed of stakeholders who represent a cross section of economic, social andenvironmental perspectives of the Shuswap watershed, including residents, communitygroups and business representatives

Honorarium not provided

Meeting Process

Approximately 2 meetings/year

Meeting Chair, venue, refreshments, facilitator, experts provided, as needed

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Shuswap Lakes Water Quality Monitoring PlanShuswap Lakes Water Quality Monitoring Plan

Ken Ashley, Ph.D. and Ken Hall, Ph.D.

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Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

SLIPP Vision, Goal and Strategies for water quality

Shuswap Lakes water quality monitoring plan

Water Quality Monitoring PlanBackgroundLake and Tributary Monitoring PlanPoint and Non-Pont Source Monitoring PlanProgram ManagementPublic involvement

Questions

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Working together to sustain the health and prosperity of the Shu swap and Mara lakes

Development that respects environmental, economic and

social interests

Water quality that supports public and environmental health

Desirable recreational experiences that are safe and

sustainable

Strategies

• Create a comprehensive foreshore

and upland area site sensitivity map

for Shuswap and Mara lakes

• Form the Inter -Agency Technical

Committee to manage cross -agency

development applications and lake

issues

• Improve the development application

review process

• Create a model for assessing

cumulative impact

Strategies

• Develop an inter -agency water quality

monitoring program

• Eliminate boat discharge on the lakes

Cross -Cutting Strategies

Strategies

• Develop a recreation management

plan for the Shuswap and Mara lakes

• Develop a recreation use monitoring

program

• Create the Professional and

Scientific Advisory Group

• Establish a coordinated annual

education, compliance and

enforcement planning process

• Create the Shuswap Lake

integrated response process

• Engage stakeholders in

education, compliance and

enforcement initiatives

Vision

Goals

SLIPP Vision:SLIPP Vision:

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SLIPP Goals:SLIPP Goals:Water quality that supports public andWater quality that supports public and

environmental healthenvironmental health

• Good water quality is critical to public and environmentalwell being

• As human density in Shuswap + Mara lakes increases,so too have demands on water for people, fish and wildlife

• The ability of the lakes to provide high quality water isthreatened by discharges from numerous sources, andincreasing lake shore and upland development

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•• Official Community Plans and Liquid WasteOfficial Community Plans and Liquid WasteManagement Plans will some provide direction forManagement Plans will some provide direction forwaste management on the lakes and foreshorewaste management on the lakes and foreshore

•• But But –– more needs to be done to protect lake water more needs to be done to protect lake waterquality quality –– requires a coordinated plan requires a coordinated plan == SLIPP SLIPP

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SLIPP StrategiesSLIPP Strategies

•• Develop an inter-agency water qualityDevelop an inter-agency water qualitymonitoring and reporting programmonitoring and reporting program

Annual water

quality

monitoring

program

planning

meeting

Annual plan

and

monitoring

timetable

formalized

Annual

review and

report out

(public and

internal)

Agency

Resources,

Priorities, Authorities

Governance

Body

Professional and

Scientific

Advisory

Committee

Ongoing updating of Central Results Repository

Ongoing Water Quality Monitoring

Ongoing updating of Central Results Repository

Ongoing Water Quality Monitoring

LONG -TERM

MONTORING

PLAN

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Expectations from this strategy:Expectations from this strategy:

• Improved access to credible scientific information tosupport decision making

• Increased efficiency and coordination of monitoringactivities

• Increased knowledge of water quality issues andtrends to support decision making

• Increased collective access to water quality data

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Water Quality Monitoring PlanWater Quality Monitoring PlanBackground

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Morphometric features of Shuswap, Little Shuswap, Adams andMara Lake.

51o 15’119o 30’

50o 56’119o 17’Location 00 00 N; 000 00 W

42.3149.521.21,430Shoreline length (km)0.13100.032.1Residence time (years)

n/a7.5n/a10Thermocline depth (m)357.75 x 10623.19 x 109260.66 x 10619.13 x 109Volume (m3)

347407347347Elevation (m)18.316914.361.6Mean depth (m)45.739759.4161.5Maximum depth (m)

466.630.1n/a49.7Drainage basin/surface arearation

9,0654,144Incl.15,354Drainage basin area (km2) 1,942.613,7601,813 30,960Surface area (ha)

Mara LakeAdams LakeLittleShuswap

ShuswapLake

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Major arms and tributaries of Shuswap Lake

Adams River, Scotch Creek, Ross CreekWest Arm

Seymour Creek, Two Mile Creek, FiveMile Creek, Blueberry Creek, CelistaCreek

Seymour Arm

Anstey River, Four Mile Creek, QueestCreek, Hunakwa Creek

Anstey Arm

Shuswap River, Eagle RiverSicamous Arm

Salmon River, Tappen Creek, WhiteCreek, Canoe Creek

Salmon Arm

Major tributariesShuswap Lake basin

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Summary of Shuswap Lake potable use water licenses

8Waterworks - other

30Waterworks – localauthority

576Domestic

No. of active and pendinglicensesType of water license

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Summary of trophic status and water quality trends in ShuswapSummary of trophic status and water quality trends in Shuswapand Mara lakes deep water stationsand Mara lakes deep water stations

Increasing total nitrogen andtotal phosphorus in someareas

OligotrophicMara Lake

Slightly increasing totalnitrogen, total phosphorusconstant or increasingslightly over time

OligotrophicWest Arm

Increasing total nitrogen andtotal phosphorus

OligotrophicSicamous Arm

Increasing total nitrogen andtotal phosphorus

OligotrophicSeymour Arm

Slightly increasing totalnitrogen and totalphosphorus

Mesotrophic to eutrophicSalmon Arm/Tappen Bay

Increasing total nitrogen andtotal phosphorus

OligotrophicAnstey ArmTrend directionDeep water trophic statusLake Area

2020

In summary, most deep water stations in Shuswap Lakeremain oligotrophic, with the exception of SalmonArm/Tappen Bay, which has been mesotrophic/eutrophicsince at least the 1970s.

However, the trend analysis indicates the concentrationof limiting nutrients is increasing lake-wide, even in thedeep water stations, which have previously beenunaffected.

This finding is alarming given the large volume and rapidflushing rate in Shuswap Lake, and indicative of therequirement for a more intensive, proactive water qualitymonitoring program.

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Threats to water qualityThreats to water qualityPoint sourcePoint source pollution from outdated pollution from outdatedwastewater treatment plants andwastewater treatment plants andstorm sewersstorm sewers

Non-point sourceNon-point source diffuse pollution from diffuse pollution fromactivities in the watershedactivities in the watershed

Pollution defined as: nutrients,Pollution defined as: nutrients,chemicals, harmful microorganismschemicals, harmful microorganisms

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Sources of Contaminants to Shuswap LakeSources of Contaminants to Shuswap Lake

Sewage Treatment Plant

Agricultural Runoff

Houseboat Discharge

Urban Stormwater

Septic Tank Drainage

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Contaminant Loading Information-Contaminant Loading Information-11

Sewage Treatment PlantsSewage Treatment Plants Location, treatment type. Location, treatment type. Flow. Flow. Effluent quality. Effluent quality. Rainwater infiltration. Rainwater infiltration.

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Contaminant Loading Information-Contaminant Loading Information-22

Urban Urban Stormwater Stormwater RunoffRunoff Land uses in watershed.Land uses in watershed. Traffic intensity.Traffic intensity. Rainfall intensity and duration.Rainfall intensity and duration. Antecedent dry days.Antecedent dry days. Runoff quality from different land uses.Runoff quality from different land uses. Runoff quality, variability seasonally.Runoff quality, variability seasonally. Runoff volume from different land uses, differentRunoff volume from different land uses, different

seasons.seasons.

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Contaminant Loading Information-Contaminant Loading Information-33 Agricultural RunoffAgricultural Runoff Agricultural land use in watersheds.Agricultural land use in watersheds. Animal units in watershed Animal units in watershed –– nutrient loads. nutrient loads. Crops grown in watershed- nutrientCrops grown in watershed- nutrient

requirements.requirements. Commercial fertilizers used.Commercial fertilizers used. Excess nutrients in watershed to runoff.Excess nutrients in watershed to runoff.

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Contaminant Loading Information-Contaminant Loading Information-44

HouseboatsHouseboats Number and size of houseboats.Number and size of houseboats. Areas and period of mooring.Areas and period of mooring. Volume and quality of discharges.Volume and quality of discharges. Holding tanks and pump facilities.Holding tanks and pump facilities.

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Contaminant Loading Information-Contaminant Loading Information-55

Septic SystemsSeptic Systems Location and installation dates, GIS dataLocation and installation dates, GIS data

base.base. Servicing records, cleanout frequency.Servicing records, cleanout frequency. Dye tracer studies, operational efficiency.Dye tracer studies, operational efficiency.

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Emerging concerns in wastewaterEmerging concerns in wastewaterEndocrine disruptors Endocrine disruptors –– Bisphenol A, Triclosan Bisphenol A, Triclosan

Personal care products Personal care products –– musks, insect repellants musks, insect repellants

POPs POPs –– PCBs, Toxaphene, PBDEs (fire retardant) PCBs, Toxaphene, PBDEs (fire retardant)

PharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals

Nanoparticles Nanoparticles –– nanosilver, nanotitanium, nanosilver, nanotitanium,nanocarbonnanocarbon

Silver nanoparticles from Samsung's SilverCare washing machinewill soon have to be registered with EPA as a pesticide.

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Too many nutrients results in ‘eutrophication’

What does eutrophication look like?

Is this real, or just something to keep academicsentertained?2

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Lakes that are deeper, and have fasterflushing rates can tolerate higher P loadsbefore water quality problems develop

N and Cadded

N, C andP added

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Nutrient Sources and Loadings:

- need to assess the impact of the following nutrient sources:

Watershed and tributary loading

Land use and agricultural trends

Septic systems

Sewage treatment plant contaminant loadings

Boat and houseboat discharges

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Point and Non-Point Source Tracking of Contaminants:

Nitrogen monitoring: stable nitrate isotopes

Chemical tracers of sewage and grey water contamination

Microbial source tracking (MST)

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Contaminant Source TrackingContaminant Source Tracking

Stable IsotopesStable Isotopes

Chemical TracersChemical Tracers

Microbial Source TrackingMicrobial Source Tracking

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Source Source TrackingTracking-Stable Isotopes-Stable Isotopes

Stable Isotopes of Nitrate (N-15, O-17, 18).Stable Isotopes of Nitrate (N-15, O-17, 18). Separate animal wastes from inorganicSeparate animal wastes from inorganic

fertilizers.fertilizers. Cannot separate animal and human wastes.Cannot separate animal and human wastes.

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Source Source TrackingTracking-Chemical Tracers-Chemical Tracers

CaffeineCaffeine Optical Optical BrightnersBrightners Detergents, (MBAS)Detergents, (MBAS) Personal Care Products Personal Care Products ––antibioticsantibiotics -hormones -hormones -fragrances -fragrances

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Source Source TrackingTracking-Microbial Source-Microbial Source Tracking (MST) Tracking (MST)

PhenotypicPhenotypic Methods (Whole Cells) Methods (Whole Cells) -antibiotic resistance -antibiotic resistance -immunological methods -immunological methods GenotypicGenotypic Methods Methods -determine DNA fingerprints -determine DNA fingerprints

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Integration with Public Health and permit discharge monitoring

It is important to integrate water quality monitoring programs that are beingconducted by Regional Districts or municipalities within the Shuswapbasin.

Central water quality data base

The data collected from the monitoring program should be made widelyavailable to the public once the raw data has been checked for errors andomissions.

Reporting and web-based information access

A “State-of the Lakes” water quality report should be issued annually, onceall of the current years monitoring data has been reviewed, interpreted anddisseminated in a standard reporting format.

Program ManagementProgram Management

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It is crucial to involve the public and Shuswap and Mara lake NGO’s inthe development and implementation of the Shuswap lakes monitoringprogram.

An excellent example of public involvement in lake monitoring was theCSRD funded Shuswap Lake Secchi disk project, originally conductedfrom late June to September, 1986.

Public involvementPublic involvement

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SLIPP-Water quality that supports public and environmentalSLIPP-Water quality that supports public and environmentalhealthhealth

Questions?

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Coffee

15 minute coffee break

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Annual Water QualityMonitoring Plan Shuswap

Lake Watershed 2011-1013SLIPP Water Quality Committee Meeting

Feb 08, 2011Quaaout Lodge, Chase, BC

Gabi Matscha

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OUTLINE1.Brief History of Monitoring in Shuswap Lake

2.Proposed Annual Monitoring Plan for theShuswap Watersheds – 2011-2013

• Monitoring Categories• What information will the program provide us?• What do we know so far?• What do we propose to measure

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1. Brief History of Monitoring in Shuswap Lk.

Water quality assessment in Shuswap Lake has beenconducted with only a few breaks since 1971 (e.g. by MoE,DFO, CSRD, BC Parks, Interior Health, water purveyors anda lot of volunteers).

15 water quality reports about lake water quality since then.

Lake has become one of the two main study areas for MoE inThompson Region over last 20 years.

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2. Proposed Annual Monitoring Plan for theShuswap Watersheds – 2011-2013

Based on the Long Term Plan and previous results

a) Deep Station Monitoring

b) Near Shore Monitoring

c) Effects of Specific Activities

d) Watershed Monitoring

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What information will each category provide?

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a) Deep Station Monitoring

Deepest location: - full depth of a lake (lake profiles)

- usually in open water

- well mixed and representative

Information to determine Lake Productiveness

Information on general lake water quality (vs. local)

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b) Near Shore Monitoring

Shallow sites: - surface water

- often sheltered

- reduced mixing, not representative for entire lake, local influences

- used for single residential intakes + recreation

Information to determine effects from local runoff,discharges and seepages on local water use.

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b) Near Shore Monitoring

Deeper Sites: - both, surface water and deep water

- sometimes sheltered

- moderate to high mixing, but local influences reduce representation for entire lake

- used for community intakes

- recreational use, boating

Information to determine effects from local runoff,discharges and seepages on community drinking waterusers.

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c) Effects of specific Activities

Assessment of specific discharges/land use activities.- measure effects of specific land uses (e.g. residential) ordischarges (e.g. sewage treatment plant) on water quality

- information can be used for contaminant loading models

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d) Watershed Monitoring

Loading Studies and Loading Models:- determination of main sources of contaminants/nutrients

- outcome helps prioritize for source management

Identify areas/locations/land use activities of highcontaminant/nutrient input upstream of the lake

- focus management on problem areas/land uses

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What do we propose to measure?What do we know so far?

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a) Deep Station Monitoring

Determination of Primary Lake Productivity (Carbonuptake by algae) = Potential for floating algae production.

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5858Low Productivity Medium to Low Productivity

a) Deep Station Monitoring

5959 Very Low Productivity Low Productivity

a) Deep Station Monitoring

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Continue algae bloom cause investigation.

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a) Deep Station Monitoring

Identify influence of salmon run and carcassdecomposition on Nutrient and Algae concentrations inaffected arms. 61

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a) Deep Station Monitoring

Continue long term data collection (Spring and Fall data)to Mabel Lake. Add summer sampling for some years.

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a) Near Shore Monitoring

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NUTRIENTS/CONTAMINANTS NEAR SHORE

Seepage: High in nutrients and sewage indicators, but small flows

Receiving water:

Main Arm:

- No statistical and ecological difference between deep and shallow sites

- Blind Bay Shallow Site: slightly higher sulphate concentration than othershallow sites in the main arm.

Salmon Arm:

- Significantly higher nutrient and sulphate levels at shallow site (ChristmasIsland) than deep site.

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a) Near Shore Monitoring

Conduct grab sampling at new sites identified aspotentially affected by seepage or runoff, based on IHA,CSRD, public concerns. 65

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INCLUDE MAP HERE ?????

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a) Near Shore Monitoring

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WATER CLARITY SECCHI DISK PROJECT

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a) Near Shore Monitoring

Want to extend secchi program to Little Shuswap Lakeand other Lakes, if volunteers available.

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ATTACHED ALGAE GROWTH NEAR SHORE

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a) Near Shore Monitoring

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Will continue attached algae program, if volunteers areavailable.

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a) Near Shore Monitoring

CSRD will continue groundwater monitoring in Area C, Eand F and dye-testing where needed based on septicsystem questionnaire. 72

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a) Near Shore Monitoring

Continue effluent and receiving water sampling to identifyeffects from Salmon Arm Sewage Treatment Plantdischarge. 73

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a) Near Shore Monitoring

BC Parks, Regional Districts, Sicamous and Salmon Armcontinue to sample water quality for E.coli (intestinalwaste indicator) near beaches . 74

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a) Near Shore Monitoring

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Large water purveyors continuewater sampling near large waterintakes.Test for:

E.coli and bacteria, parameters with Drinking Water Guidelines, pesticides emerging constituents are being reviewed.

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b) Near Shore Monitoring

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Small water purveyors

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c) Effects of specific Activities

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In 2009: highest E.coli count atNielson Beach was 290 CFU/100mL.

In 2008: highest E.coli count at NielsonBeach was 7600 CFU/100mL.

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f) BOAT GREYWATER DISCHARGE IMPACT cont. (3)

RESULTS:

• 2009 results showed a significantassociation between houseboatnumbers and the presence offecal bacteria from human intestines.

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c) Effects of specific Activities

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Repeat the 2009 study toconfirm results and effects ofimprovement measures byhouseboat companies.

Collect more greywater fromcollection tanks to bettercharacterize the greywater forKen Hall’s model.

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c) Watershed Monitoring

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c) Watershed Monitoring

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d) NUTRIENT/CONTAMINANT LOADING cont.

RESULTS so far:

- Eagle and Salmon River provide highest Loadings of all measuredcontaminants

- Highest nutrient loadings were TOC and Nitrogen.

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c) Watershed Monitoring

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Conduct loading study for all significant tributaries aroundShuswap and Mara Lakes.

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SummaryDeep Station Monitoring Overall lake productivity (potential for floating algae growth) in each arm/ Maraand Mable Lake? - Influence of the salmon run.

Complexity of factors that led to 2008/ 2010 algae blooms.

Near Shore Monitoring Drinking Water safety at water intakes.

Safety for Swimmers near prominent beaches.

Early warning system for the lake in local areas.

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Summary (2)Effects of Specific Activities Effect of septic seepages and shoreline run-off on near shore areas and risk torecreational and drinking water users.

Effects of regulated discharges on local areas and the lake.

Identification of leaking septic systems that need management.

Identification for needs to extend central sewage system near Salmon Arm.

Effects of greywater discharge from boats on recreational water use and effectsof mitigation measures taken by houseboat companies so far.

Information on Nutrient Loading from different sources – can support loadingmodels.

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Summary (3)Watershed Monitoring Role of tributaries in nutrient and contaminant loading. Prioritization oftributaries for detailed source investigation and contaminant sourcemanagement.

Nutrient/contaminant loading model for entire lake – identification of the mostsignificant sources/issues.

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Ministry of Environment1259 Dalhousie Drive

Kamloops, BC

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Gabi MatschaEnv. Quality Section HeadGabriele.Matscha@gov.bc.ca(250)-371-6296

Dennis EinarsonEnv. Impact Assessment BiologistDennis.Einarson@gov.bc.ca(250)-371-6308

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Public Engagement in Water Quality Monitoring

Discuss current and future roles for public:

Attached algae monitoring partnership with SPEC and SPCA

Water clarity/Secci disk partnership with SPCA and SPEC

Other opportunities?

How can we best engage the public to help achieve our water quality goals?

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Next Steps

Next Steps for Water Quality and Waste Management Public Advisory Committee

Submit feedback on plans or public engagement strategies by e-mail to:sarah.evanetz@telus.net

SLIPP 2011 plan implementation begins immediately

Next PAC meeting in early 2012 to:

- Review 2011 Water Quality Monitoring Results Report

- Discuss 2012 Water Quality Monitoring Plan implementation and public partnerships

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Confirmed Water Quality PAC Meeting Participants

David Baxter

Rob Bushnell, Three Buoys

Howard Cowan

Laura Jameson, Lower Shuswap Stewardship Society*

Tina Keely, Swansea Point Community Association

Dale Kerr, Shuswap Water Action Team Society (alternate for Ray Nadeau)

Todd Kyllo, Twin Anchors (alternate attended in his place)

Kelly Sheldon, water systems operator

Neil Swaan

Hugh Tyson

* unable to attend