| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
The Lakes District does not have water bodies with site-specific water quality objectives, and there is little or no monitoring data for most drinking water sources. In 2002-03 a comprehensive sampling program was implemented for a number of drinking water sources including Burns Lake, Francois Lake, Babine Lake and Burns Lake Rural Area groundwater. In August and October 2002, and April and August 2003, drinking water samples were collected to investigate the quality of Lakes District drinking water. Five samples were collected from each site within a 30-day period in each sampling season (note: not all sites were monitored in each season). The samples were analyzed for three microbiological indicators (fecal coliforms, E. coli and enterococci), colour and turbidity. In each season, one sample from each site was analyzed for a comprehensive range of physical and chemical parameters to determine overall water quality and identify potential contamination. Lab results were compared to MoE approved and working guidelines for drinking water quality. In each season, 90th percentiles were calculated for the microbiological indicators and the results were compared to the Disinfection Only guideline level (which is the minimum treatment requirement for surface water sources under the Drinking Water Protection Regulation). For groundwater sites around Burns Lake, the No Treatment guideline was applied. |
