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ID 536
Citation Earth Tech Canada Inc. 2002. District of Summerland Watershed Risk Assessment. Prepared for District of Summerland.
Organization District of Summerland
URL http://www.summerland.ca/docs/docs_forms/Reports/Water%20Master%20Plan/408_Appendix_G_RISKREPORT.pdf
Abstract/Description or Keywords In order to confirm the direction of a long term water quality improvement strategy for the District of
Summerland, a qualitative risk assessment was carried out to document the activities within the watershed
that would be considered as a risk to human health. Both short term and long term health risks were
considered.
Short term health risks are considered to be those risks that could cause acute gastrointestinal illness from
protozoa ( Giardia or Cryptosporidium ), bacteria ( e-coli ) or viruses.
Long term health risks are considered to be those that
could provide a cumulative impact such as the increase
potential of cancer from long term exposure to
trihalomethanes. Trihalomethanes can form during the
disinfection process when there is organic matter present
in the raw water. High colour is a good indicator of the
presence of organic matter in the water.
Approach
As the exact quantity of contaminants would be very difficult to assess, a qualitative approach in assessing
the risks was conducted. This approach involves the following steps:
1. Assessing previous waterborne disease outbreaks to provide a record of items and issues that have
been known to create outbreaks of waterborne illness.
2. Identifying existing watershed contaminants from human and natural processes occurring in the
watershed;
3. Reviewing treatment processes and barriers in place to reduce the risk to health. water quality, biological water quality
Information Type report
Regional Watershed Okanagan
Sub-watershed if known Trout Creek, Darke Creek, Summerland
Aquifer #
Comments
Project status complete
Contact Name
Contact Email