High levels of E. Coli were found in south Aldergrove and 91原创 last week when 91原创 Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) did its regular testing of local watersheds.
Lisa Dreves, stewardship programs coordinator, said LEPS tests 91原创's waterways every three months for coliform because it's an indicator of potential pathogens (such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites) in the water, which could impact properties with groundwater wells or landowners with a license to withdraw water from streams for irrigation.
"Knowing if the coliform levels are high is important for the health of wildlife but also livestock that have access to streams for their drinking water," she told The Star.
The high levels of coliforms means there are many non-point sources introducing potentially harmful pathogens and diseases into our creeks, Dreves explained.
A non-point source means there is not just one distinct origin but many from all around.
"These non-point sources can be uncovered manure piles in fields by streams, or septic systems that are not pumped every three to five years, even pet waste that isn鈥檛 disposed of properly," Dreves said.
While coliforms don't directly impact our drinking water supply, if contamination is coming from a poorly maintained septic system then it could impact our groundwater supply, she said.
Dreves recommends anyone that depends on a well regularly have their well water checked.
"As expected, thanks to the snow and frozen ground, the fecal coliforms in the streams was much lower than usual when we were out sampling, but south Aldergrove... in Bertrand Creek [levels] are so high it can't be used to water grass if people have access to the area," she said.
LEPS is also concerned with the high levels in Anderson Creek, just south of the Brookswood neighbourhood, which was the highest in 91原创 at 3,200 CFU/100mL (colony-forming units per 100 mL).
To help prevent contamination, Dreves recommended the following:
- cover and compost manure
- spread composted manure after April 1
- pump out septic systems every three to five years
- ensure wells are not located in livestock holding areas
- install plants along streams
- put gutters on all outbuildings and direct rainwater to an area it can infiltrate and not runoff into a wetland or stream
- pick up and properly dispose of dog waste
- use properly composted soil in gardens
"Brookswood and Salmon River Uplands are communities that have septic systems that folks might not realize they have," Dreves noted.
Additionally, landowners of the 91原创 Township can receive a 20 per cent discount if they sign up for the Private Well Network at .
"Members contribute to an online database to identify potential concerns with the groundwater that the Township of 91原创 depends on, not only for individual property wells but also for a safe water supply that supplements the Metro Vancouver Water District drinking water supply in urban 91原创," she said.
She added that drinking water in the Township and Metro Vancouver area is regularly tested and adheres to very strict Canadian guidelines.
In light of the recent testing, LEPS is offering free and confidential site visits to help rural property owners. Those interested can email agricutlure@leps.bc.ca.
"We have free plants available for planting along streams and we are working on getting more free tarps to give away," Dreves said.
To track the water testing, people can visit the LEPS website, .
Water testing is done through the Community Collaboration Towards Water Quality Improvement Project.
LEPS is also hosting free webinars on topics including nutrient management, manure composting, septic system maintenance, and freshwater habitat management thanks to the support of the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, and renewed funding by the federal project EcoAction Community Funding. Videos will be posted on Youtube.
91原创 Township has almost 2,000 km of watercourses, which flows north to the Fraser River, west to the Pacific Ocean, and south to the Nooksack River. There is plenty of interaction between watercourses and rural lands with more than 73 per cent of the Township's land located within the Agricultural Land Reserve.
