Water Stewardship Information Sources
| Citation | Hii, B, Liebscher, H, Mazalek, M and Tuominen, T. 1999. Groundwater quality and flow rates in the Abbotsford aquifer, Briish Columbia (#94). Environment Canada. |
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| Organization | Environment Canada |
| URL | http://www.cmnmaps.ca/CONTAMINANTS_SQL/dbo_PUBLICATIONS_view.php?editid1=94 |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | Analytical results of ground water sampling from 31 piezometers at 13 sites in a study area of the Abbotsford Aquifer in southwestern British Columbia indicate that the mean annual nitrate concentration in 20 of these piezometers exceeds the Canadian Drinking Guidelines (maximum acceptable concentration) of 10 milligrams nitrogen per litre. Nitrate concentrations in piezometers fluctuate with time. Overall, very little change in the mean annual nitrate concentration is observed from 1991 to 1997. Nitrate concentrations in some piezometers also fluctuate seasonally and concentrations at most locations decrease with depth. The land use in the vicinity of the sampled piezometers is predominately raspberry production. Lower nitrate concentrations were observed in areas where there was less intense agricultural use on the surface directly above or up-gradient. Surface soil type appears to be a less important factor in accounting for spatial variability in nitrate levels in ground water, as most soils in the study area area well-drained. The average linear velocity of ground water flow at the International Boundary is estimated as 30 meters per year, in a predominantly southerly direction. Preliminary sampling for metals indicates that several metals exceed the guidelines for drinking, irrigation, and freshwater aquatic life. Some of the iron levels may be due to contamination from the iron casting around the piezometer. Concentrations of metals in the ground water should be reassessed. |
| Information Type | report |
| Regional Watershed | Lower Fraser |
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| Project status | complete |
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