Water Stewardship Information Sources

Citation Phippen, B. 2003. Water Quality in British Columbia: Objectives Attainment in 2002. Prepared for BC Ministry of Environment.
Organization Ministry of Environment
URL http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/acat/public/viewReport.do?reportId=11325
Abstract/Description or Keywords This report assesses the 2002 attainments of ambient water quality objectives for fresh and marine surface waters of British Columbia. The setting of water quality objectives in priority basins in British Columbia began in 1982. By the end of 2002, the Ministry of Water, Land and Air protection had set water quality objectives in 51 areas or basins and updated them in two, both fresh and marine, throughout the Province. Annual monitoring to check the attainment of objectives started in 1987. This report presents the results of monitoring done to check the attainment of objectives in 23 basins in 2002. The results are summarized in a series of tables. For all Ministry Regions the objectives were met 89.2 percent of the time in 2002. The findings in 2002 are almost identical to the 2001 results (88.6%), and similar to previous years when attainment ranged from 95 percent in 1998 to 77 percent in 1997. There was not 100 percent attainment because objectives are set in areas where water quality problems may occur. Monitoring results therefore reflect the state of water quality in areas affected by human activity rather than in the Province as a whole. Variables for which objectives were sometimes not met in three or more basins in the 2002 sampling program included fecal coliforms, E. coli, suspended solids, and dissolved oxygen. (Cowichan - Koksilah Rivers, Middle Quinsam Lake, Oyster River, Tsolum River, Holland Creek and Stocking Lake, Kathlyn, Seymour, Round and Tyhee Lakes, Lakelse Lake, Nechako River, Peace River, Fraser River, Williams Lake, Okanagan Valley Lakes, Similkameen River and Hedley Creek, Cahill Creek, Christina Lake, Thompson River, Keremeos Creek, Columbia River (Keenleyside to Birchbank), Columbia River (Birchbank to International Border), Elk River, Fraser River (Kanaka Creek to the Mouth), Boundary Bay, and Burrard Inlet.)
Information Type report
Regional Watershed Province
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Project status complete
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